metric system - technical definition

A system of weights and measures that uses the gram, meter and liter as its primary units of weight, distance and capacity. The metric system is used all over the world except in the U.S., Liberia and Myanmar (formerly Burma). See space/time.

 Metric           English


 GRAMS            POUNDS/OUNCES

 gram              .0022046 lbs. (.03527 oz.)
 decagram   (10)   .022046 lbs.  (.3527 oz.)
 hectogram (100)   .22046 lbs.  (3.527 oz.)
 kilogram (1000)  2.2046 lbs.  (35.27 oz.)

 LITERS     QUARTS

 1          1.0567

 LITERS     GALLONS

 3.8        1

 METERS               FEET

 decameter   (10)       32.8
 hectometer (100)      328.08
 kilometer (1000)     3280.8

 METERS                    INCHES

 meter                     39.37

 decimeter  (tenth)         3.937
 centimeter (hundredth)      .3937
 millimeter (thousandth)     .03937
 micrometer (millionth)      .00003937
 nanometer  (billionth)      .00000003937
 picometer  (trillionth)     .00000000003937
 femtometer (quadrillionth)  .00000000000003937
 attometer  (quintillionth)  .00000000000000003937
 zeptometer (sextillionth)   .00000000000000000003937
 yoctometer (septillionth)   .00000000000000000000003937