Metric System

The metric system of measurement is based on powers of ten. To understand the metric system, you should know the meaning of the prefixes to each base unit.

  • Prefixes

    • kilo = thousand

    • hecto = hundred

    • deka = ten

    • deci = tenth

    • centi = hundredth

    • milli = thousandth

Now, applying these prefixes to length, volume, and mass should be easier.

  • Length—meter

    • 1 kilometer (km) = 1,000 meters (m)

    • 1 hectometer (hm) = 100 meters

    • 1 dekameter (dkm) = 10 meters

    • 10 decimeters (dm) = 1 meter

    • 100 centimeters (cm) = 1 meter

    • 1,000 millimeters (mm) = 1 meter

  • Volume—liter

    • 1,000 milliliters (ml, or mL) = 1 liter (l, or L)

    • 1,000 liters = 1 kiloliter (kl, or kL)

  • Mass—gram

    • 1,000 milligrams (mg) = 1 gram (g)

    • 1,000 grams = 1 kilogram (kg)

    • 1,000 kilograms = 1 metric ton (t)

  • Approximations

    • A meter is a little more than a yard.

    • A kilometer is about 0.6 mile.

    • A kilogram is about 2.2 pounds.

    • A liter is slightly more than a quart.

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