What Are Metric Measurements? - BBC Bitesize

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  1. Introduction
  2. Quiz
  3. Explanation
  4. Example

What are metric measurements?

The metric system is used to measure the length, mass or capacity of an object.

Jaimie standing next to a map with dotted lines to show a route. There is a km gauge to show 0, 1 to 2km. Below the map are 2 types of rulers, one for centimetres and one for metres. Omi is holding a bottle of water and stood next to a jug that holds millilitres. The jug is a third full of water. Lucas is sat at a table with a pen and paper, next to him is a digital scale with a bowl of strawberries on it. The scales shows 650g. Fred is stood on a digital scale which shows he weighs 45kg.

Length is measured in millimetres (mm), centimetres (cm), metres (m) or kilometres (km).

Mass or weight is measured in grams (g) and kilograms (kg).

Capacity is measured in millilitres (ml) and litres (l).

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Quiz: Metric measurements

Why not see how much you know about this topic already? Then work through the page and see if you can beat your score.

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Measuring length

Length is measured using different units.

For small lengths you use millimetres (mm) and centimetres (cm).

For longer lengths and distances you use metres (m) or kilometres (km).

Let's have a look at how you might measure some different lengths and distances.

Image gallerySkip image gallery
  1. Part of a ruler from 0 to 6 centimetres and 60 millimetres, with a pencil above.
    Image caption,

    You would use millimetres (mm) and centimetres (cm) for small lengths. Like this pencil. Can you see the pencil is 5cm or 50mm long?

1 of 4

Previous imageNext imageSlide 1 of 4, Part of a ruler from 0 to 6 centimetres and 60 millimetres, with a pencil above. , You would use millimetres (mm) and centimetres (cm) for small lengths. Like this pencil. Can you see the pencil is 5cm or 50mm long?End of image gallery

Here is a table that will help you convert between millimetres, centimetres, metres and kilometres.

1 centimetre (1cm)10 millimetres (10mm)
1 metre (1m)100 centimetres (100cm)
1 kilometre (1km)1000 metres (1000m)
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Measuring mass

Weight is measured in grams (g) and kilograms (kg).

You can use grams to measure the weight of light objects and kilograms to measure the weight of heavy objects.

1 kilogram (1kg) = 1000 grams (1000g)

Let's have a look at how you might measure some different weights.

Image gallerySkip image gallery
  1. Sally wearing an apron and holding a wooden spoon. She is stood next to a table with digital scales on it. There is flour on the scales.
    Image caption,

    You might use grams (g) to measure the weight of light objects, like ingredients for baking. This flour weighs 80 grams.

1 of 2

Previous imageNext imageSlide 1 of 2, Sally wearing an apron and holding a wooden spoon. She is stood next to a table with digital scales on it. There is flour on the scales., You might use grams (g) to measure the weight of light objects, like ingredients for baking. This flour weighs 80 grams.End of image galleryBack to top

Measuring capacity

You measure the capacity of containers in millilitres (ml) and litres (l).

1 litre (1l) = 1000 millilitres (1000ml)

Let's have a look at how you might measure some different capacities.

Image gallerySkip image gallery
  1. a jug with 300 millilitres of water.
    Image caption,

    You would use millilitres (ml) to measure the capacity of a small container, like this jug. Can you read the scale to work out the capacity?

1 of 2

Previous imageNext imageSlide 1 of 2, a jug with 300 millilitres of water. , You would use millilitres (ml) to measure the capacity of a small container, like this jug. Can you read the scale to work out the capacity?End of image galleryBack to top

Example

These two tables are 215cm and 2 metres 35cm in length.

Lucas stood between 2 tables. He looks puzzled. Above the first table is an arrow and 215cm. Above the second table is an arrow and 2 metres 35cm

What is the difference in their length in centimetres?

Show answer

✓ The difference between 235cm and 215cm is 20cm

235cm – 215cm = 20cm

When you compare measures, change them to the same units.

To change metres to centimetres:

2m 35cm = 200cm + 35cm = 235cm

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More on Length and distance

Find out more by working through a topic

  • Draw and measure accurately

    • count2 of 6

  • What is the perimeter?

    • count3 of 6

  • Perimeter on a grid

    • count4 of 6

  • Converting metric units

    • count5 of 6

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