Metric Conversion ( Basic)

The metric system is widely used around the world. Therefore skilled technicians need to be able to use the metric system effectively. The metric system is a base ten system based on similar principles as our base ten counting system.


The table on the left shows the various units and their respective "levels" in comparison to the other units. If you memorize the table then it becomes very easy to convert from one unit to the next. To convert from one unit to the next you need to determine the equivalent value of 1 unit of the original unit in the required unit. This can be done by applying the following steps.

e.g. Convert 28 m to cm

Step 1: Subtract the respective levels
metre = 4 and centimetre = 2
=> 4 - 2 = 2

Step 2: Determine the multiple of ten (10) to be used
Since the answer from step 1 is 2 then write 2 zeros after 1 to get 100

Step 3: Determine whether to multiply or divide
Since the answer from step 1 is positive then you multiply
=> 28 m = 28 * 100 cm = 2800 cm

e.g. Convert 14 cm to m
Step 1: Subtract the respective levels
centimetre = 2 and metre = 4
=> 2 - 4 = -2

Step 2: Determine the multiple of ten (10) to be used
Since the answer from step 1 is -2 then write 2 zeros after 1 to get 100

Step 3: Determine whether to multiply or divide
Since the answer from step 1 is negative then you divide
=> 14 cm = 14 / 100 m = 0.14 m

e.g. Convert 26.3 cm to Dm

Step 1: Subtract the respective levels
centimetre = 2 and decametre = 5
=> 2 - 5 = -3

Step 2: Determine the multiple of ten (10) to be used
Since the answer from step 1 is -3 then write 3 zeros after 1 to get 1000

Step 3: Determine whether to multiply or divide
Since the answer from step 1 is negative then you divide
=> 26.3 cm = 26.3 / 1000 Dm = 0.0263 Dm

e.g. Convert 0.056 km to mm

Step 1: Subtract the respective levels
kilometre = 7 and millimetre = 1
=> 7 - 1 = 6

Step 2: Determine the multiple of ten (10) to be used
Since the answer from step 1 is 6 then write 6 zeros after 1 to get 1000000

Step 3: Determine whether to multiply or divide
Since the answer from step 1 is positive then you multiply
=> 0.056 km = 0.056 * 1000000 mm = 56 000 mm