How to Convert to Metric Measurement

The metric system is a logical system of measurements based on multiples of ten. it has been incorporated as the standard system in most countries throughout the world. Measurements used in science and in most of industry are based on the metric system. To convert imperial units such as ounce, foot, and degrees Fahrenheit into metric units, all you need to do is employ the correct conversion factors.

Things You'll Need

• Calculator

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Convert Fahrenheit (F) degrees into Celsius (C) using the formula C = (F -32) / 1.8. The boiling point of water in Fahrenheit is 212 degrees; this converts to 100 degrees C. Similarly, the freezing point of water is 32 degrees F, equivalent to 0 degrees C. An example of a conversion from Fahrenheit to Celsius is (98.6 degrees F -- 32) / 1.8 = 37 degrees C, the normal temperature of humans.

• 2

  Determine gram weight (g) from ounces (oz.) by multiplying ounce weight by 28.35. A 2-oz. weight would be equal to 56. 7 g. One pound equals 454 g, so to convert a pound to grams, multiply by that amount; to convert to kilograms, multiply by 0.45, since there are 1,000 grams in every kilogram. For example, 2.5 pounds equals 2.5 x 454, or 1,135 g (1.135 kg).

• 3

  Calculate metric distance by multiplying inches (in) by 2.54, the numbers of centimeters (cm) in an inch. One foot is equal to 30.48 cm (12 x 2.54), or 0.348 meters (m). One yard is equal to 914 cm (936 x 2,54) or 0.91 meters. One meter is equal to 100 centimeters. Therefore, one mile -- 5,280 feet -- is equal to 5,280 x 0.348 m, or approximately 1,610 meters.

• 4

  Convert volumetric amounts by multiplying one ounce by 29.57 to determine milliliters (ml). One pint is equal to a 16-oz.; multiply a pint by 473 to give total number of milliliters. One liter (l) is equal to 1,000 milliliters (milli = 1/1,000 liters). Therefore, the number of pints is multiplied by a conversion factor of 0.47 to give the number of liters. A 2-liter bottle of soda pop is the equivalent of 4.2 pints or 2.1 quarts.

• 5

  Calculate metric area by multiplying acres by 0.4 to determine the number of hectares. Many homes are built on a ½-acre lots and this is equal to 0.2 hectares. One square foot equals 0.0929 square meters, so a square yard (9 square feet) will be equal to 0.836 square meters.