Part III
Commonly Used Metric and English
Conversion Factors
A
Joe Richard
s you probably know by now, there are a multitude of ways to measure things and
not everyone uses the same unit of measure. That’s one reason why the scientific
community developed an International System (SI) for standardizing scientific and mathematical symbols, abbreviations and units of measure. While this system has helped reduce confusion
within the scientific community and even some portions of the general public, problems still occur
as not everyone has universally adopted the SI system. As a result, conversions often need to be done
so that measurements are properly translated and interpreted — an important step toward insuring
that within the communication process, everyone is “on the same page.”
For this reason, conversion factors are provided in the following section so the reader
may convert from metric to English or vice versa. We’ve organized the information under
units of measure that are commonly applied within the water management arena (i.e., Area,
Concentration, Length, Mass, Power, Pressure, Temperature and Volume). For a more comprehensive listing, see Part IV A Glossary of Common Metric and English Conversion Factors.
Florida LAKEWATCH volunteer Susan Wright carefully measures water volume in a graduated cylinder
before pouring it into the filtration system to the right of the cylinder. This water volume measurement must
be accurately measured and recorded.
4
Units of AREA
Jeanne Hearn
METRIC conversions
To convert...
square centimeters (cm2)
square centimeters
square centimeters
square centimeters
square meters (m2)
square meters
square meters
square meters
square meters
square meters
square kilometers (km2)
square kilometers
square kilometers
square kilometers
hectares (ha)
hectares
hectares
hectares
to
multiply by
square feet
square inches
square meters
0.001076
0.155
0.0001
to
multiply by
acres
square centimeters
square feet
square miles
square yards
0.0002471
10,000
10.76
0.0000003861
1.196
to
multiply by
acres
square feet
square miles
247.1
10,760,000
0.3861
to
multiply by
acres
square feet
square meters
2.471
107,639
10,000
5
Units of AREA
Lynda Russell
ENGLISH conversions
To convert...
square inches (in2)
square inches
square inches
square inches
square feet (ft2)
square feet
square feet
square feet
square yards (yd2)
square yards
square yards
square yards
square miles (mi2)
square miles
square miles
square miles
square miles
acres (acre)
acres
acres
acres
acres
6
to
multiply by
square centimeters
square meters
square feet
6.452
0.0006452
0.00694
to
multiply by
acres
square centimeters
square meters
0.00002296
929
0.0929
to
multiply by
square meters
hectares
acres
0.8361
0.00008361
0.000207
to
multiply by
acres
square kilometers
hectares
square meters
640
2.59
259
2,590,000
to
hectares
square meters
square feet
square yards
multiply by
0.40470
4,047
43,560
4,840
METRIC conversions
Units of CONCENTRATION
To convert...
milligrams / liter (mg/L or mg L-1)
milligrams/liter
milligrams/liter
milligrams/liter
milligrams/liter
milligrams / cubic meter (mg/m3 or mg m-3)
milligrams/cubic meter
milligrams/cubic meter
micrograms / liter (µg/L or µg L-1)
micrograms/liter
micrograms/liter
micrograms/liter
micrograms/liter
Y
to
multiply by
parts/million
grains/U.S. gallon
micrograms/liter
milligrams/cubic meter
1
0.0584
1,000
1,000
to
multiply by
micrograms/liter
milligrams/liter
1
0.001
to
multiply by
parts/billion
milligrams/cubic meter
milligrams/liter
ppm
1
1
0.001
0.001
ou may notice in our tables (above) that a concentration of milligrams per liter
can be abbreviated either as mg/L or as mg L-1. Both abbreviations are
considered to be equivalent because of the algebraic property L -1 = 1/L .
This means that multiplying by L-1 is the same as dividing by L.
mg
L
In the first abbreviation, the
symbols mg/L mean that we are
dividing the weight of a substance
(mg) by the volume in which it is
dissolved (one liter or L).
1
mg ×
L
In the second abbreviation,
we are multiplying the weight
of a substance (mg), times one
divided by the volume in which
it is dissolved (one liter or L).
Note: Following the same rules, milligrams per cubic
meter could be expressed either as mg/m3 or as mg m-3.
While reading scientific publications, you will most likely see negative exponents used rather
than the slashes as this is currently the accepted method of notation. This is done to avoid
confusion in calculations when there are multiple divisions in a combined unit of measurement.
For example, let’s say that we are keeping track of the weight of fish harvested from a lake
over several years. If we wanted to compare our fish weight data with the weights of fish
harvested from other lakes of different sizes, we would need to calculate all the harvest data
in terms of kilograms of fish per hectare per year. This could be noted as kg/ha/yr .
However, the preferred way to abbreviate the unit would be kg ha -1 yr -1 .
7
Units of CONCENTRATION
Mary Cichra
ENGLISH conversions
To convert...
parts per billion (ppb)
parts/billion
parts/billion
parts/billion
parts per million (ppm)
parts/million
parts/million
parts/million
parts/million
parts/million
parts per thousand (ppt)
parts/thousand
parts/thousand
parts/thousand
parts/thousand
moles per liter (mol/L or mol L-1 or M/L)
moles/liter
moles/liter
to
multiply by
micrograms/liter
milligrams/liter
parts/million
1
0.001
0.001
to
multiply by
grains/U. S. gallon
parts/thousand
micrograms/liter
parts/billion
milligrams/liter
0.0584
0.001
1,000
1,000
1
to
multiply by
parts/billion
parts/million
milligrams/liter
micrograms/liter
1,000,000
1,000
1,000
1,000,000
to
multiply by
parts/million
milligrams/liter
(molecular weight) x 1,000
(molecular weight) x 1,000
micromoles per liter (µmol/L or µmol L-1 or µM/L) to
micromoles/liter
micromoles/liter
micromoles/liter
8
parts/million
milligrams/liter
micrograms/liter
multiply by
(molecular weight) x 0.001
(molecular weight) x 0.001
(molecular weight) x 1
Units of LENGTH
Amy Richard
METRIC conversions
To convert...
millimeters (mm)
millimeters
millimeters
millimeters
millimeters
millimeters
centimeters (cm)
centimeters
centimeters
centimeters
meters (m)
meters
meters
meters
meters
meters
meters
meters
kilometers (km)
kilometers
kilometers
kilometers
kilometers
*
to
multiply by
feet
inches
microns
centimeters
meters
0.003281
0.03937
1,000
0.1
0.001
to
multiply by
feet
inches
meters
0.03281
0.3937
0.01
to
multiply by
feet
inches
miles (statute)*
yards
millimeters
centimeters
kilometers
3.281
39.37
0.0006214
1.094
1,000
100
0.001
to
multiply by
feet
miles (statute)
centimeters
meters
3,281
0.6214
100,000
1,000
Statute mile – a unit of distance used on land in the English speaking countries equal to 5,280 feet or 1,760 yards.
9
ENGLISH conversions
Units of LENGTH
Amy Richard
re-scan
To convert...
inches (in)
to
multiply by
centimeters
meters
fathoms
yards
2.54
0.0254
0.01389
0.0278
to
multiply by
centimeters
meters
kilometers
inches
fathoms
miles (statute)*
30.48
0.3048
0.0003048
12
0.1667
0.0001893
to
multiply by
centimeters
meters
kilometers
feet
fathoms
91.44
0.9144
0.0009144
3
0.5
to
multiply by
fathoms
inches
72
fathoms
fathoms
feet
yards
6
2
to
multiply by
inches
inches
inches
inches
feet (ft)
feet
feet
feet
feet
feet
feet
yards (yd)
yards
yards
yards
yards
yards
fathoms (fm)
miles (mi)
miles (statute)*
miles (statute)
miles (statute)
miles (statute)
miles (statute)
*
1.609
1,609
0.8684
5,280
1,760
Statute mile – a unit of distance used on land in the English speaking countries equal to 5,280 feet or 1,760 yards.
Nautical mile – officially fixed in the United States at 6,080.20 feet and in Great Britain at 6,080 feet.
**
10
kilometers
meters
miles (nautical)**
feet
yards
METRIC conversions
Units of MASS
To convert...
kilograms (kg)
kilograms
kilograms
kilograms
kilograms
kilograms
grams (g)
grams
grams
grams
grams
grams
grams
grams
milligrams (mg)
milligrams
milligrams
milligrams
milligrams
milligrams
milligrams
micrograms (µg)
micrograms
micrograms
micrograms
tonnes (t) (metric)
tonnes (metric)*****
tonnes (metric)
tonnes (metric)
tonnes (metric)
to
multiply by
ounces (troy)*
pounds (avoirdupois)**
tons (short)***
tons (long)****
grams
32.15
2.205
0.0011
0.000984
1,000
to
multiply by
grains
ounces (avoirdupois)
ounces (troy)
pounds (avoirdupois)
milligrams
micrograms
kilograms
15.43
0.03527
0.03215
0.002205
1,000
1,000,000
0.001
to
multiply by
grains
ounces (avoirdupois)
ounces (troy)
pounds
grams
micrograms
0.01543
0.00003527
0.00003215
0.000002205
0.001
1,000
to
multiply by
pounds
milligrams
grams
0.000000002205
0.001
0.000001
to
multiply by
pounds (avoirdupois)
tons (long)
tons (short)
kilograms
2,205
0.984
1.102
1,000
*
Troy weight – a system of weights (i.e., 12 ounces to a pound) used for precious metals, gems, and formerly also
for bread, etc.
**
Avoirdupois weight – a system of weights used in Great Britain and the U.S. for goods other than gems, precious
metals, and drugs.
***
Short ton refers to avoirdupois weight used for the ton in the U.S. (i.e., 2,000 pounds).
****
Long ton refers to the avoirdupois weight used for the ton in Great Britain (i.e., 2,240 pounds).
*****
Metric ton refers to a unit of 1,000 kilograms, equivalent to 2,205 avoirdupois pounds.
11
Units of MASS
Joe Richard
ENGLISH conversions
To convert...
ounces (oz)
ounces (troy)*
ounces (troy)
ounces (troy)
ounces (avoirdupois)**
ounces (avoirdupois)
ounces (avoirdupois)
pounds (lb)
pounds
pounds
pounds
pounds
(avoirdupois)
(avoirdupois)
(avoirdupois)
(avoirdupois)
tons (ton)
tons (short)***
tons (long)****
tons (short)
tons (long)
*
to
multiply by
pounds (troy)
grams
milligrams
pounds (avoirdupois)
grams
milligrams
0.0833
31.103
31,103
0.0625
28.35
28,350
to
multiply by
grains
ounces (avoirdupois)
grams
kilograms
7,000
16
453.5924
0.4536
to
multiply by
pounds (avoirdupois)
pounds (avoirdupois)
tonnes (metric)*****
tonnes (metric)
2,000
2,240
0.907
1.016
Troy weight refers to a system of weights (i.e., 12 ounces to a pound) used for precious metals, gems, and
formerly also for bread, etc.
**
Avoirdupois weight refers to a system of weights used in Great Britain and the U.S. for goods other than
gems, precious metals, and drugs.
***
Short ton refers to avoirdupois weight used for the ton in the U.S. (i.e., 2,000 pounds).
****
Long ton refers to the avoirdupois weight used for the ton in Great Britain (i.e., 2,240 pounds).
*****
Metric ton refers to a unit of 1000 kilograms which is equivalent to 2,205 avoirdupois pounds.
12
METRIC conversions
Units of POWER
To convert...
watts (w)
watts
watts
watts
watts
watts
watt-hours (whr)
watt-hours
watt-hours
kilowatts (kw)
kilowatts
kilowatts
kilowatts
to
multiply by
kilowatts
kilocalories/minute
joules/sec
horsepower (electric)
ergs/second
0.001
0.01434
1
0.00134
10,000,000
to
multiply by
ergs
gram calories
36,000,000,000
859.18
to
multiply by
watts (Int.)
joules/sec
horsepower (electric)
1,000
1,000
1.34
ENGLISH conversions
Units of POWER
horsepower (hp)
horsepower (electric)
horsepower (electric)
horsepower (electric)
to
multiply by
watts
kilowatts
joules/sec
746
0.746
746
Florida LAKEWATCH
regional coordinators can often be found
in the field working with citizens on
freshwater lakes or coastal waters. Regional
coordinator Dan Willis, pictured here, is
involved in various activities such as
monitoring fish populations and
aquatic plant communities.
David Watson
To convert...
13
METRIC conversions
Units of PRESSURE
To convert...
millibars (mb)
millibars
millibars
millibars
to
multiply by
atmospheres
bars
pounds/square inch
0.000987
0.001
0.0145
ENGLISH conversions
Units of PRESSURE
To convert...
pounds per square inch (psi)
multiply by
atmospheres
bars
grams/square cm
millibars
0.068
0.0689
70.3
68.9
Joe Richard
psi
psi
psi
psi
to
14
METRIC conversions
Units of TEMPERATURE
To convert...
degrees Celsius (oC)
Celsius
to
multiply by
Fahrenheit
ENGLISH conversions
(oC x 9/5) + 32
Units of TEMPERATURE
degrees Fahrenheit (oF)
Fahrenheit
Florida LAKEWATCH volunteer
Dave Byrd takes a temperature reading
from waters adjacent to Sugarloaf Key
in the lower Florida Keys.
to
multiply by
Celsius
(oF - 32) x 5/9
Joe Richard
To convert...
15
METRIC conversions
Units of VOLUME
To convert...
cubic centimeters (cm3)
cubic centimeters
cubic centimeters
cubic centimeters
cubic centimeters
cubic centimeters
cubic centimeters
milliliters (ml or mL )
milliliters
milliliters
milliliters
milliliters
milliliters
liters (L)
liters
liters
liters
liters
liters
liters
cubic meters (m3)
cubic meters
cubic meters
cubic meters
cubic meters
cubic meters
to
multiply by
cubic feet
cubic inches
gallons
milliliters
liters
cubic meters
0.00003531
0.06102
0.0002642
1
0.001
0.000001
to
multiply by
cubic inches
ounces
pints
liters
cubic centimeters
0.0610
0.0338
0.00211
0.001
1
to
multiply by
cubic feet
gallons
quarts
milliliters
cubic centimeters
cubic meters
0.03531
0.2642
1.0567
1,000
1,000
0.001
to
multiply by
acre-feet
cubic feet
cubic yards
gallons
liters
0.00081
35.31
1.308
264.2
1,000
Joe Richard
Florida LAKEWATCH volunteers may use a variety of graduated cylinders for
measuring water samples for the filtering process. The smaller graduated cylinder
allows one to measure and filter smaller amounts of water. This is particularly helpful
to volunteers monitoring waterbodies with an abundance of algae in the water, as they
won’t need to filter as much water to obtain a chlorophyll sample.
16
ENGLISH conversions
Units of VOLUME
To convert...
cubic inches (in3)
cubic inches
cubic inches
cubic inches
cubic inches
cubic inches
cubic inches
cubic feet (ft 3)
cubic feet
cubic feet
cubic feet
cubic feet
cubic feet
cubic feet/second (ft 3/sec)
cubic feet/second
cubic feet/second
cubic feet/second
gallons (gal)
gallons
gallons
gallons
gallons
gallons of water
gallons
gallons
quarts (qt)
quarts
quarts
quarts
quarts
quarts
quarts
quarts
to
multiply by
cubic centimeters
cubic meters
liters
gallons
quarts
pints
16.39
0.00001639
0.0164
0.00433
0.0173
0.0346
to
multiply by
cubic meters
liters
acre-feet
gallons
quarts
0.02832
28.32
0.0000230
7.48052
29.9
to
multiply by
gallons (U.S.)/minute
liters/minute
liters/second
448.83117
1698.963
28.31605
to
multiply by
cubic centimeters
cubic feet
cubic meters
liters
pounds of water
quarts
pints
3,785
0.1337
0.003785
3.785
8.3452
4
8
to
multiply by
cubic centimeters
cubic feet
cubic meters
liters
gallons
pints
ounces
946.4
0.03342
0.0009465
0.9463
0.25
2
32
17
ENGLISH conversions
Units of Volume
To convert...
pints (pt)
pints
pints
pints
pints
pints
pints
ounces (oz)
ounces
ounces
ounces
ounces
ounces
acre feet (acre-ft)
acre-feet
acre-feet
acre-feet
acre-feet
cubic yards (yd 3)
cubic yards
cubic yards
cubic yards
to
multiply by
cubic centimeters
cubic feet
cubic meters
liters
gallons
ounces
473.2
0.0167
0.000473
0.473
0.125
16
to
multiply by
cubic centimeters
liters
pints
quarts
gallons
29.57
0.02957
0.0625
0.03125
0.00781
to
multiply by
cubic feet
gallons
cubic yards
cubic meters
43,560
325,851
1,613.3
1,233.5
to
multiply by
cubic feet
gallons
liters
27
201.97
764.5
Florida LAKEWATCH volunteers collect
water samples in two different sized bottles.
The larger bottle shown here on the left holds
up to 500 milliliters (ml) of water and is used
for coastal monitoring. The smaller 250–ml
bottle on the right is used for freshwater
sampling.
18
Part IV
Joe Richard
A Glossary of Commonly Used
Metric and English Conversion Factors
Florida LAKEWATCH regional coordinators Jeanette Lamb and David Watson collect aquatic plant data in Crystal River.
The technique involves throwing a quarter-meter square into the water and letting it sink to the bottom. Plants are then collected
from within the quarter-meter square frame, identified, and then weighed to obtain an average plant biomass data.
To convert...
to...
multiply by...
acres
acres
acres
acres
hectares
square meters
square feet
square yards
0.4047
4,047
43,560
4,840
acre-feet
acre-feet
acre-feet
acre-feet
cubic feet
gallons
cubic yards
cubic meters
43,560
325,851
1,613.3
1,233.5
Celcius
Fahrenheit
(oC x 9/5) + 32
centimeters
centimeters
centimeters
feet
inches
meters
0.03281
0.39370
0.01
cubic centimeters
cubic centimeters
cubic centimeters
cubic feet
cubic inches
gallons
0.00003531
0.06102
0.0002642
19
A Glossary of Common Metric and English
Conversion Factors (continued)
To convert...
*
20
to...
multiply by...
cubic centimeters
cubic centimeters
cubic centimeters
milliliters
liters
cubic meters
1
0.001
0.000001
cubic feet
cubic feet
cubic feet
cubic feet
cubic feet
cubic meters
liters
acre-feet
gallons
quarts
0.02832
28.32
0.0000230
7.48052
29.92
cubic feet/second
cubic feet/second
cubic feet/second
gallons/minute (U.S.)
liters/minute
liters/second
448.83117
1698.963
28.31605
cubic inches
cubic inches
cubic inches
cubic inches
cubic inches
cubic inches
cubic centimeters
cubic meters
liters
gallons
quarts
pints
16.39
0.00001639
0.0164
0.00433
0.0173
0.0346
cubic meters
cubic meters
cubic meters
cubic meters
cubic meters
acre-feet
cubic feet
cubic yards
gallons
liters
0.00081
35.31
1.308
264.2
1000
cubic yards
cubic yards
cubic yards
cubic feet
gallons
liters
27
201.97
764.5
ergs
ergs
gram calories
kilocalories
0.00000002389
0.00000000002389
ergs/second
kilocalories/minute
0.000000001433
Fahrenheit
Celcius
(oF – 32) x 5/9
fathoms
fathoms
meters
feet
1.8288
6
feet
feet
feet
feet
feet
feet
centimeters
meters
kilometers
inches
fathoms
miles (statute)*
30.48
0.3048
0.0003048
12
0.1667
0.001893
Statute mile – a unit of distance used on land in the English speaking countries equal to 5,280 feet or 1,760 yards.
A Glossary of Common Metric and English
Conversion Factors (continued)
*
To convert...
to...
multiply by...
foot-candles
lumens/square meter
10.764
gallons
gallons
gallons
gallons
gallons
gallons
gallons (U.S) of water (40C)
gallons (U.S.)/minute
gallons (U.S.)/minute
cubic centimeters
cubic feet
cubic meters
liters
quart
pints
pounds of water
cubic feet/second
liters/second
3,785
0.1337
0.003785
3.785
4
8
8.3452
0.002228
0.06308
grains/gallon (U.S.)
parts/million
17.119
grams
grams
grams
grams
grams
grams
grams
grams/centimeter
grams/liter
grams/square centimeter
gram calories
milligrams
micrograms
kilograms
grains
ounces (avoirdupois)*
ounces (troy)**
pounds (avoirdupois)
pounds/inch
parts/million
pounds/square foot
ergs
1,000
1,000,000
0.001
15.43
0.03527
0.03215
0.002205
0.0056
1,000
2.0481
0.00000041868
hectares
hectares
hectares
acres
square feet
square meters
2.471
107,639
10,000
horsepower (electric)
horsepower (electric)
horsepower (electric)
watts
kilowatts
joules/sec
746
0.746
746
inches
inches
inches
inches
centimeters
meters
fathoms
yards
2.54
0.0254
0.01389
0.0278
joules
joules
ergs
kilocalories
10,000,000
0.0002389
Avoirdupois weight – a system of weights used in Great Britain and the U.S. for goods other than gems, precious metals, and drugs.
Troy weight – a system of weights used for precious metals and gems (formerly also for bread, etc.)
**
21
A Glossary of Common Metric and English
Conversion Factors (continued)
*
To convert...
to...
multiply by...
kilograms
kilograms
kilograms
kilograms
kilograms
ounces (troy)*
pounds (avoirdupois)**
tons (short)***
tons (long)****
grams
32.15
2.205
0.0011
0.000984
1,000
kilograms/cubic meter
kilograms/meter
kilograms/square meter
pounds/cubic foot
pounds/foot
pounds/square foot
0.06243
0.6720
0.2048
kilometers
kilometers
kilometers
kilometers
kilometers/hour
feet (U.S.)
miles (statute) *****
centimeters
meters
feet/second
3,281
0.6214
100,000
1,000
0.9113
knots
statute miles/hour
1.151
liters
liters
liters
liters
liters
liters/minute
cubic feet
gallons
quarts
milliliters
cubic meters
cubic feet/second
0.03531
0.2642
1.057
1,000
0.001
0.0005886
lumens/square foot
foot-candles
1
lux
foot-candles
0.0929
meters
meters
meters
meters
meters
meters
meters
meters/minute
feet
inches
miles (statute)
yards
millimeters
centimeters
kilometers
feet/second
3.281
39.37
0.0006214
1.094
1,000
100
0.001
0.05468
micrometers
meters
0.000001
Troy weight refers to a system of weights used for precious metals and gems (formerly also for bread, etc.).
**
Avoirdupois weight is a system of weights used in Great Britain and the U.S. for goods other than gems, precious metals, and drugs.
***
Short ton refers to avoirdupois weight used for the ton in the U.S. (i.e., 2,000 pounds).
Long ton refers to the avoirdupois weight used for the ton in Great Britain (i.e., 2,240 pounds).
*****
Statute mile is a unit of distance used on land in the English speaking countries equal to 5,280 feet or 1,760 yards.
****
22
A Glossary of Common Metric and English
Conversion Factors (continued)
To convert...
to...
multiply by...
micrograms
micrograms
micrograms
pounds (avoirdupois)*
milligrams
grams
0.000000002205
0.001
0.000001
micrograms/liter
micrograms/liter
micrograms/liter
milligrams/cubic meter
milligrams/liter
ppm
1
0.001
0.001
micromoles/liter
micromoles/liter
parts/million
milligrams/liter
(molecular weight) x 0.001
(molecular weight) x 0.001
miles (statute)
miles (statute)
miles (statute)
miles (statute)
miles (statute)
kilometers
meters
miles (nautical)**
feet
yards
1.609
1,609
0.8684
5,280
1,760
millibars
millibars
millibars
atmospheres
bars
pounds/square inch
0.000987
0.001
0.0145
milligrams
milligrams
milligrams
milligrams
milligrams
milligrams
grains
ounces (avoirdupois)
ounces (troy)***
pounds
micrograms
grams
0.01543
0.00003527
0.00003215
0.000002205
1,000
0.001
Conversion Factors Used in Water Management
To Convert...
to...
multiply by...
mg/L
µg/L
µM/L
mg/m3
mg/m3
ppm
ppm
ppb
pounds/acre
µg/L
mg/L
mg/L
mg/L
µg/L
mg/L
ppb
ppm
kg/ha
1,000
0.001
(molecular weight) x 0.001
0.001
1
1
1,000
0.001
1.12
*
Avoirdupois weight is a system of weights used (i.e., Great Britain, U.S.) for goods other than gems, precious metals, and drugs.
Nautical mile – officially fixed in the United States at 6,080.20 feet and in Great Britain at 6,080 feet.
***
Troy weight refers to a system of weights used for precious metals and gems (formerly also for bread, etc.)
**
23
A Glossary of Common Metric
and English Conversion Factors
To convert...
to...
multiply by...
milligrams/cubic meter
milligrams/cubic meter
micrograms/liter
milligrams/liter
1
0.001
milligrams/liter
milligrams/liter
milligrams/liter
milligrams/liter
milligrams/liter
parts/billion
parts/million
grains/U.S. gallon
micrograms/liter
milligrams/cubic meter
1,000
1
0.0584
1,000
1,000
milliliters
milliliters
milliliters
milliliters
milliliters
cubic inches
ounces
pints
liters
cubic centimeters
0.061
0.0338
0.00211
0.001
1
millimeters
millimeters
millimeters
millimeters
millimeters
feet
inches
microns
centimeters
meters
0.003281
0.03937
1,000
0.1
0.001
millimicrons
meters
0.000000001
moles/liter
moles/liter
parts/million
milligrams/liter
(molecular weight) x 1,000
(molecular weight) x 1,000
cubic feet/second
1.54723
ounces (troy)
ounces (troy)
ounces (troy)
ounces (avoirdupois)**
ounces (avoirdupois)
ounces (avoirdupois)
pounds (troy)
grams
milligrams
pounds (avoirdupois)
grams
milligrams
0.0833
31.104
31,104
0.0625
28.35
28,350
parts/billion
parts/billion
micrograms/liter
milligrams/liter
1
0.001
parts/million
parts/million
parts/million
parts/million
parts/million
grains/U. S. gallon
parts/billion
parts/thousand
micrograms/liter
milligrams/liter
0.0584
1,000
0.001
1,000
1
parts/thousand
parts/thousand
parts/thousand
parts/billion
parts/million
milligrams/liter
1,000,000
1,000
1,000
million gallons/day
*
*
**
24
Troy weight refers to a system of weights used for precious metals and gems (formerly also for bread, etc.)
Avoirdupois weight is a system of weights used in Great Britain and the U.S. for goods other than gems, precious metals, and drugs.
A Glossary of Common Metric
and English Conversion Factors
*
To convert...
to...
multiply by...
parts/thousand
micrograms/liter
1,000,000
pints
pints
pints
pints
pints
pints
cubic centimeters
cubic feet
cubic meters
liters
gallons
ounces
473.2
0.0167
0.000473
0.473
0.125
16
pounds (avoirdupois)*
pounds (avoirdupois)
pounds (avoirdupois)
pounds (avoirdupois)
grains
grams
kilograms
ounces (avoirdupois)
7,000
453.5924
0.4536
16
pounds of water/minute
pounds of water/minute
pounds of water/minute
cubic feet/minute
cubic inches/minute
gallons (U.S.)/minute
0.01602
27.68
0.1198
pounds/foot
kilograms/meter
1.488
pounds/inch
grams/centimeter
178.6
pounds/square foot
inches of mercury
0.01414
psi
psi
psi
atmospheres
bars
grams/square cm
0.068
0.0689
70.3
quarts
quarts
quarts
quarts
quarts
quarts
quarts
cubic centimeters
cubic feet
cubic meters
liters
gallons
pints
ounces
946.4
0.03342
0.0009464
0.9463
0.25
2
32
square centimeters
square centimeters
square centimeters
square feet
square inches
square meters
0.001076
0.155
0.0001
square feet
square feet
square feet
acres
square centimeters
square meters
0.00002296
929
0.0929
square inches
square inches
square inches
square centimeters
square meters
square feet
6.452
0.0006452
0.00694
Avoirdupois weight is a system of weights used in Great Britain and the U.S. for goods other than gems, precious metals, and drugs.
25
A Glossary of Common Metric
and English Conversion Factors
*
To convert...
to...
multiply by...
square kilometers
square kilometers
square kilometers
acres
square feet
square miles
247.1
10,763,910
0.3861
square meters
square meters
square meters
square meters
square meters
acres
square centimeters
square feet
square miles
square yards
0.0002471
10,000
10.76
0.0000003861
1.196
square miles
square miles
square miles
square miles
acres
square kilometers
hectares
square meters
640
2.59
259
2,589,988.1
square yards
square yards
square yards
square meters
hectares
acres
0.8361
0.00008361
0.000207
tons (short)*
tons (long)**
tons (short)
tons (long)
pounds (avoirdupois)***
pounds (avoirdupois)
tonnes (metric)
tonnes (metric)
2,000
2,240
0.907
1.016
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
pounds
tons (long)
tons (short)
kilograms
2,205
0.984
1.102
1,000
watts
watts
watts
watts
watts
watt-hours
watt-hours
kilowatts
kilocalories/minute
joules/sec
horsepower (electric)
ergs/second
ergs
gram calories
0.001
0.01433
1
0.00134
10,000,000
36,000,000,000
859.85
yards
yards
yards
yards
yards
centimeters
kilometers
meters
feet
fathoms
91.44
0.0009144
0.9144
3
0.5
A short ton refers to avoirdupois weight used for the ton in the U.S. (i.e., 2,000 pounds).
A long ton refers to the avoirdupois weight used for the ton in Great Britain (i.e., 2,240 pounds).
***
Avoirdupois weight is a system of weights used in Great Britain and the U.S. for goods other than gems, precious metals, and drugs.
**
26