Converting metric units

Here you will learn about converting metric units, including metric units of length, metric units of mass and metric units of capacity (volume).

Students will first learn about converting metric units as part of measurement and data in 4 th grade and 5 th grade.

What is converting metric units?

Converting metric units is being able to convert between different metric units of measurement (including length, mass and volume).

To do this, you need to know what the metric units are and their conversion factors.

Certain prefixes are used before the base unit to show bigger and smaller metric units. They can help us remember the metric conversions.

• Metric units of length

The SI unit (international system of units) of length is the meter (m).

For example,

Covert 7 meters (m) to centimeters (cm).

Looking at the diagram above, meters can be converted to centimeters by multiplying by 100.

7 \mathrm{~m} \times 100=700 \mathrm{~cm}

• Metric units of mass

The metric system for mass is based around grams (g).

For example,

Covert 4 kilograms (kg) to grams (g).

Looking at the diagram above, kilograms can be converted to grams by multiplying by 1000.

4 \mathrm{~kg} \times 1000=4000 \mathrm{~g}

• Metric units of capacity (volume)

The metric system for capacity is based on liters (l).

For example,

Covert 6,000 milliliters (ml) to liters (l).

Looking at the diagram above, milliliters can be converted to liters by dividing by 10 then dividing by 100, which is equal to dividing by 1,000.

6,000 \mathrm{~ml} \div 1,000=6 \mathrm{~l}

What is converting metric units?

Common Core State Standards

How does this relate to 4 th grade math and 5 th grade math?

• Grade 4 – Measurement and Data (4.MD.A.1)
  Know relative sizes of measurement units within one system of units including km, m, cm; kg, g; lb, oz.; l, ml; hr, min, sec. Within a single system of measurement, express measurements in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit. Record measurement equivalents in a two- column table.
  
  For example, know that 1 \, ft is 12 times as long as 1 \, in. Express the length of a 4 \, ft snake as 48 \, in. Generate a conversion table for feet and inches listing the number pairs (1, 12), (2, 24), (3, 36), …

• Grade 5 – Measurement and Data (5.MD.A.1)
  Convert among different-sized standard measurement units within a given measurement system (for example, convert 5 \, cm to 0.05 \, m ), and use these conversions in solving multi-step, real world problems.

How to convert metric units

In order to convert metric units:

1. Find the unit conversion.
2. Multiply or divide.
3. Write the answer.

Converting metric units examples

Example 1: converting length

Convert 3.2 \mathrm{~m} to cm.

1. Find the unit conversion.

1 \mathrm{~m}=100 \mathrm{~cm}

2Multiply or divide.

Look at the relationship in the original conversion.

From meters to centimeters, the relationship is multiplying by 100.

Multiply 3.2 meters by 100\text{:}

3.2 \text { meters } \times 100=320 \text { centimeters }

3Write the answer.

3.2 \mathrm{~m}=320 \mathrm{~cm}

Example 2: converting length

Convert 780 \mathrm{~mm} to cm.

Multiply or divide.

Look at the relationship in the original conversion.

From millimeters to centimeters, the relationship is dividing by 10.

Divide 780 millimeters by 10\text{:}

780 \text { millimeters } \div 10=78 \text { centimeters }

Example 3: converting mass

Convert 12.5 \mathrm{~kg} to g.

Multiply or divide.

Look at the relationship in the original conversion.

From kilograms to grams, the relationship is multiplying by 1,000.

Multiply 12.5 kilograms by 1,000\text{:}

12.5 \text { kilograms } \times 1,000=12,500 \text { grams }

Example 4: converting mass

Convert 3,800 \mathrm{~g} to kg.

Multiply or divide.

Look at the relationship in the original conversion.

From grams to kilograms, the relationship is dividing by 1,000.

Divide 3,800 grams by 1,000\text{:}

3,800 \text { grams } \div 1,000=3.8 \text { kilograms }

Example 5: converting capacity

Convert 7.1 \mathrm{~l} to ml.

Multiply or divide.

Look at the relationship in the original conversion.

From liters to milliliters, the relationship is multiplying by 1,000.

Multiply 7.1 liters by 1,000\text{:}

7.1 \text { liters } \times 1,000=7,100 \text { milliliters }

Example 6: converting capacity

Convert 750 \mathrm{~ml} to l.

Multiply or divide.

Look at the relationship in the original conversion.

From milliliters to liters, the relationship is dividing by 1,000.

Divide 750 milliliters by 1,000\text{:}

750 \text { milliliters } \div 1,000=0.75 \text { liters }

Teaching tips for converting metric units

• Begin by providing students with many real world measurement experiences. This can include measuring the same object in multiple units, like the weight of a stack of books in grams, centigrams, and kilograms, or activities that require students to discuss the most appropriate units to use.
  
  Once students have a good foundation in how to measure metric units and their relative sizes, they are ready to start converting.

• Instead of directly telling students about the patterns in metric conversions, wait to see when they notice them as they work with them. Given enough practice converting, the patterns in the placement of the decimal point or the number of zeroes is something many students will pick up on.
  
  Once they begin discussing this, you can highlight this pattern as a class and keep track of what students are noticing on the white board or an anchor chart. With time, you can formalize this idea with students and connect it to the powers of 10 and/or our base 10 place value system.

• Worksheets can be a useful tool to help students practice, but ensure that the worksheet includes many different units, not just the most common ones. This is a good way for students to practice converting all units in the metric system and make use of less common prefixes, like deci.

• For students that are struggling, give them time to work with a conversion calculator that completes the conversion for them. Have them explain each conversion, including why the units changed and what equation was used.
  
  Once they become more comfortable, they can begin solving conversions on their own. However, it may be a good idea to give them access to a conversion chart until they have memorized all the conversion factors.

Easy mistakes to make

• Not knowing whether to multiply or divide
  In order to decide which operation to use, look at the original conversion. Notice how the number representing the measurement changes from one unit to another. This will show you whether to multiply or divide. The general rule for this is:
  • from larger units to smaller units – multiply
  • from smaller units to larger units – divide

• Forgetting about uncommon units
  The metric system has a new unit for each power of 10. However, within each base unit there are common units and uncommon units.
  For example,
  In units of weight, the most commonly used units are grams, milligrams, and kilograms. However, there are also centigrams, decigrams, and many other units.
  In units of capacity, the most commonly used units are liters and milliliters. However, there are also kiloliters, centiliters, and many other units.

• Adding or subtracting to convert
  The relationship between units is multiplicative, which is why multiplication and division are used to convert. Using addition or subtraction will not correctly convert between units.

Related units of measurement lessons

• Units of measurement
• Converting units of time
• Conversion of measurement units
• Metric units of measurement

The next lessons are

• Representing data
• Percent
• Converting fractions, decimals, and percentages
• Ratio

Still stuck?

At Third Space Learning, we specialize in helping teachers and school leaders to provide personalized math support for more of their students through high-quality, online one-on-one math tutoring delivered by subject experts.

Each week, our tutors support thousands of students who are at risk of not meeting their grade-level expectations, and help accelerate their progress and boost their confidence.

Find out how we can help your students achieve success with our math tutoring programs.