Table 2.3 Metric System and Equivalents

The following metric system equivalents and approximate conversion factors help meet the requirements of Public Law 100-418. This law requires each Federal agency to use the metric system of measurement by Fiscal Year 1992 in procurements, grants, and other business related activities.

 

Linear Measure	Liquid Measure
1 centimeter = 10 millimeters = 0.39 inch	1 centiliter = 10 milliliters = 0.34 fl. ounce
1 decimeter = 10 centimeters = 3.94 inches	1 deciliter = 10 centiliters = 3.38 fl. ounces
1 meter = 10 decimeters = 39.37 inches	1 liter = 10 deciliters = 33.82 fl. ounces
1 decameter = 10 meters = 32.8 feet	1 deciliter = 10 liters = 2.64 gallons
1 hectometer = 10 decameters = 328.08 feet	1 hectoliter = 10 deciliters = 26.42 gallons
1 kilometer = 10 hectometers = 3,280.8 feet	kiloliter = 10 hectoliters = 264.18 gallons

 

Weights	Area Measure
1 centigram = 10 milligrams = 0.15 grain	1 sq. centimeter = 100 sq. millimeters = 0.155 sq. inch
1 decigram = 10 centigrams = 1.54 grains	1 sq. decimeter = 100 sq. centimeters = 15.5 sq.inches
1 gram = 10 decigrams = 0.035 ounce	1 sq. meter (centare) = 100 sq. decimeters = 10.76 sq. feet
1 decagram = 10 grams = 0.35 ounce	1 sq. decameter (are) = 100 sq. meters = 1,076.4 sq. feet
1 hectogram = 10 decagrams = 3.52 ounces	1 sq. hectometer (hectare) = 100 sq. decameters = 2.47 acres
1 kilogram = 10 hectograms = 2.2 pounds	1 sq. kilometer = 100 sq. hectometers = 0.386 sq. mile
1 quintal = 100 kilograms = 220.46 pounds
1 metric ton = 10 quintals = 1.1 short tons

 

Cubic Measure

1 cu. centimeter = 1000 cu. millimeters = 0.06 cu. inches
1 cu. decimeter = 1000 cu. centimeters = 61.02 cu. inches
1 cu. meter = 1000 cu. decimeters = 35.31 cu. feet