Metric Measures and Conversions
By Lisa Williams January 27, 2002 Adapted by Mr. Wright 2015
If you are measuring length use meter, dry weight use grams, volume use liter
Things to remember when converting:
To convert from a larger to smaller metric unit you multiply
To convert from a smaller to larger unit you divide
The latin prefixes used in the metric system mean the number they represent.
Example:
1 kilogram = 1000 grams
A kilo is 1000 of something just like a dozen is 12 of something.
This is the metric conversion stair chart. The Latin prefixes literally mean the number indicated. Meter, liter or
gram can be used interchangeably.
Micro = 1/1,000,000th
Nano = 1/1,000,000,000th
Kilo – Hecta - Deca | 1 liter or meter or gram | deci – centi – milli – x – x – micro – x –x – nano
To convert 1000 milligrams to grams move the decimal left three places. To convert grams to nano grams move
the decimal 9 places to the right.
When you move down the stairs you multiply by 10 for each step. SO you add a zero to your original number
and move the decimal one place to the right with each step.
Example:
To convert 2 kilometers to meters you move 3 steps down on the chart so you add 3 zeros to the 2.
2 kilometers = 2000 meters
Name _______________________________ Period ________
Problems (Show your calculations):
1.) 3 meters = ______ centimeters
2) 40 liters = ______ dekaliters
3) 600 milligrams = _______ grams
4) 5 kilometers = __________ hectometers
5) 70 centimeters = _________ meters
6) 900 microliters= _______ Liters
7) John measured 600 centimeters long. How many meters is John?
8) Faith weighed 5 kilograms at birth. How many grams did she weigh?
9) Jessica drank 4 liters of tea today. How many deciliters did she drink?
10) Measure the mass in grams of a gummy bear ________ and fish. ________ and beans ______.
11) Measure the volume using the graduated cylinder filled half way with water. Measure at the meniscus.
Initial volume of water only _________mL.
12) Place your bears in the water and measure the final volume of water _______mL. Repeat with the fish 13)
___________mL. Subtract the last measurement from the first measurement and now give the density of the
bears ___________g/mL and fish in g/mL. ____________ and beans ______g/mL .
Gummy bears
Mass
Volume
Density
Swedish Fish
Beans