Metric Units Of Measurement

Here we will learn about metric units of measurement. We will look at common units of measurement in the metric system of measurement and how they are used.

There are also metric units of measurement worksheets based on Edexcel, AQA and OCR exam questions, along with further guidance on where to go next if you’re still stuck.

What are metric units of measurement?

Metric units of measurement are the metric units of measurements used for different quantities. 

The metric system of units of measurement is based on powers of 10.

Prefixes are used to indicate which power of 10 is involved. 

The prefix “centi” means \frac{1}{100} th

E.g.

A centimetre is \frac{1}{100} th of a metre.  

A centimetre is \frac{1}{100} th of a litre

The prefix “milli means \frac{1}{1000} th

E.g.

A millimetre is \frac{1}{1000} th of a metre. 

A millilitre is \frac{1}{1000} th of a litre. 

The prefix “kilo” which means 1000 times larger.

E.g.

A kilometre is 1000 times larger than a metre.

E.g.

The metric unit of measurement for length is the metre (m) ,

The metric unit of measurement for mass is the gram (g) ,

The metric unit of measurement for capacity is the litre (l) .

Metric units of measurment Image 1

For smaller quantities or larger quantities we can adapt these units of measurement using prefixes which are used in front of the base unit. 

The main ones used are kilo, centi and milli.

Metric units of measurment Image 2

What are metric units of measurement?

What are metric units of measurement?

The unit of length

For distances between towns we can use kilometres (km) .

For the height of a tree we can use a metre (m)

For the width of a book we can use centimetres (cm) .

For small items such as a paperclip we can use the smaller unit of measurement, millimetres (mm) .

The unit of mass

To weigh people we use kilograms (kg) .

To weigh single pieces of fruit or vegetables we would use grams (g)

For the weight of a car we could use a less common unit of mass which is the tonne (t). \; 1 tonne is 1000 \ kg .

The unit of capacity (or unit of volume)

For the capacity of a bath, or a pond or a bucket we would use litres (l) .

For smaller items such as a cup we would use the smaller unit millilitres (ml)

Sometimes bottles and cans of drink use a less common unit of capacity.

Metric units of measurment Image 3

How to choose a metric unit of measurement

In order to choose a metric unit of measurement:

  1. Consider the quantity.
  2. Consider the size.
  3. Write down the most sensible choice.

How to choose a metric unit of measurement

How to choose a metric unit of measurement

Metric conversion worksheet (includes metric units of measurement)

Metric conversion worksheet (includes metric units of measurement)

Metric conversion worksheet (includes metric units of measurement)

Get your free metric units of measurement worksheet of 20+ metric conversion questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.

DOWNLOAD FREE
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Metric conversion worksheet (includes metric units of measurement)

Metric conversion worksheet (includes metric units of measurement)

Metric conversion worksheet (includes metric units of measurement)

Get your free metric units of measurement worksheet of 20+ metric conversion questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.

DOWNLOAD FREE

Related lessons on units of measurement

Metric units of measurement is part of our series of lessons to support revision on units of measurement. You may find it helpful to start with the main units of measurement lesson for a summary of what to expect, or use the step by step guides below for further detail on individual topics. Other lessons in this series include:

Metric units of measurements examples

Example 1: units of length

Write down a sensible metric unit of measurement for:

The width of a calculator.

  1. Consider the quantity.

We need a length, so we need to consider the measurement units based on the metre.

2Consider the size.

A calculator could be measured by a 15 \ cm or 30 \ cm ruler. So, centimetres might be the best metric unit of measurement.

3Write down the most sensible choice.

Centimetres is the most sensible unit of measurement for the width of a calculator.

Example 2: units of length

Write down a sensible metric unit of measurement for:

The distance between London and Paris.

Consider the quantity.

Consider the size.

Write down the most sensible choice.

Example 3: units of mass

Write down a sensible metric unit of measurement for:

The mass of a cow

Consider the quantity.

Consider the size.

Write down the most sensible choice.

Example 4: units of length

Write down a sensible metric unit of measurement for:

The mass of a pencil.

Consider the quantity.

Consider the size.

Write down the most sensible choice.

Example 5: units of capacity (volume)

Write down a sensible metric unit of measurement for:

The volume of a tea cup.

Consider the quantity.

Consider the size.

Write down the most sensible choice.

Example 6: units of capacity (volume)

Write down a sensible metric unit of measurement for:

The volume of a pond.

Consider the quantity.

Consider the size.

Write down the most sensible choice.

Common misconceptions

  • Metric or imperial units

A common error is to confuse metric units with Imperial units of measurement. Imperial units are an older system of measurements but some are still used in everyday life.

E.g.

1 \ inch≈2.5 \ cm

1 \ foot≈30 \ cm

1 \ mile≈1.5 \ km

Practice units of measurement questions

1. Choose the most sensible metric unit to measure:

 

The height of a building

metres

GCSE Quiz True

kilograms

GCSE Quiz False

inches

GCSE Quiz False

millimetres

GCSE Quiz False

We need a unit for length – so kilograms can be ruled out.  We need a metric unit – so inches can be ruled out.  A building is large, so metres are the best unit.

2. Choose the most sensible metric unit to measure:

 

The weight of a tins of beans

kilograms

GCSE Quiz False

ounces

GCSE Quiz False

millilitres

GCSE Quiz False

grams

GCSE Quiz True

We need a unit for mass – so millilitres can be ruled out.  We need a metric unit – so ounces can be ruled out.  The weight of a tin of beans is small, so grams are the best unit.

3. Choose the most sensible metric unit to measure:

 

The thickness of an exercise book

metres

GCSE Quiz False

millimetres

GCSE Quiz True

yards

GCSE Quiz False

millilitres

GCSE Quiz False

We need a unit for length – so millilitres can be ruled out.  We need a metric unit – so yards can be ruled out.  The thickness of an exercise book is very small, so millimetres are the best unit.

4. Choose the most sensible metric unit to measure:

 

The volume of a teaspoon

kilograms

GCSE Quiz False

pints

GCSE Quiz False

millilitres

GCSE Quiz True

litres

GCSE Quiz False

We need a unit for capacity – so kilograms can be ruled out.  We need a metric unit – so pints can be ruled out.  The volume of a teaspoon is very small, so millilitres are the best unit.

5. Choose the most sensible metric unit to measure:

 

The weight of a sheep

grams

GCSE Quiz False

kilograms

GCSE Quiz True

stones

GCSE Quiz False

centimetres

GCSE Quiz False

We need a unit for mass – so centimetres can be ruled out.  We need a metric unit – so stones can be ruled out.  The weight of a sheep is large, so kilograms are the best unit.

6. Choose the most sensible metric unit to measure:

 

The volume of a lake

kilometres

GCSE Quiz False

litres

GCSE Quiz True

millilitres

GCSE Quiz False

gallons

GCSE Quiz False

We need a unit for capacity – so kilometres can be ruled out.  We need a metric unit – so gallons can be ruled out.  The volume of a lake is very large, so litres are the best unit.

Metric units of measurement GCSE questions

1.  Circle the best metric unit of measurement for:

 

The weight of a mouse

 

centimetres      kilograms      ounces      grams

 

(1 marks)

Show answer

grams

(1)

2.   Circle the best metric unit of measurement for:

 

The volume of a swimming pool

 

gallons      litres      kilograms      millilitres

 

(1 marks)

Show answer

litres

(1)

3.  Write down a sensible metric unit of measurement for:

 

(a)  The weight of a person

 

(b)  The width of a table

 

(c)  The volume of water in a glass

 

(3 marks)

Show answer

kilograms

(1)

 

centimetres

(1)

 

millilitres

(1)

Learning checklist

You have now learned how to:

  • Choose the most sensible metric units for measuring different quantities

The next lessons are

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