Conversions in the Metric System

The metric system is a system of measuring. It is used for three basic units of measure:
metres (m), litres (L) and grams (g).

Measure of… Example

Litres (L) Volume 1 L of juice

Basic
Grams (g) Mass 500 g of flour
Units

Metres (m) Length 1.74 m tall

What makes the metric system so useful is that all three units of measure are based on
the powers of ten (including 0.000001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100, 1000).

Let’s examine the METRIC SYSTEM CONVERSION chart to understand this idea
better.

Units kilo- hecto- deka base deci centi- milli- micro

Values 1,000 100 10 1 0.1 0.01 0.001 0.000001
Prefix k- h- da- m d- c- m- mc- or μ-
g
L
Values 1000x 100x 10x 10x 100x 1000x 1,000,000
(compa bigger bigger bigger smaller smaller smaller x smaller
red to 1
base)

In this chart, the metre (m), gram (g), and litre (L) have a value of 1. Units of
measurement to the right of the base unit are becoming smaller and smaller. Units of
measure to the left of the base unit are becoming larger and larger.

For example, given a metre we notice the following unit conversions to the right of the
base unit:

There are 10 dm in a There are 100 cm in a There are 1000 mm in a

metre, metre, metre,

Thus, 1 dm = 1/10 m = Thus, 1 cm = 1/100 m = Thus, 1 mm = 1/1000 m =

0.1 m 0.01 m 0.001 m

Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College YEAR 2014 www.georgebrown.ca/tlc
Conversions in the Metric System

Since the metric system of measurement is based on powers of ten (10) converting
between units is a snap!

PART A – Ratio & Proportion Method

Example 1: Convert 1.74 m into cm.

To convert meters to centimeters we need to first identify the larger unit. Looking at the
Metric System chart we notice that a centimeter is 100 times smaller than a meter.

Thus, 1 m = 100 cm

Knowing this we can set up a proportion to convert 1.74 m into cm.

Remember! A proportion is a comparison of two equal ratios in which order matters.

On the Left Hand Side (L.H.S.) of the proportion, list the ratio we know. On the Right
Hand Side (R.H.S), list the ratio we are trying to find out. Solve for the unknown value
using cross multiplication.

( ) ( )

Thus, there are 174 cm in 1.74 m.

Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College YEAR 2014 www.georgebrown.ca/tlc
Conversions in the Metric System
Example 2: Convert 4 g into mg.

First we need to identify the larger unit. Looking at the Metric System Chart we notice
that a milligram is 1000 times smaller than a gram.

Thus, 1 g = 1000 mg.

Knowing this we can set up a proportion to convert 4 g into mg.

On the Left Hand Side (L.H.S.) of the proportion, list the ratio we know. On the Right
Hand Side (R.H.S), list the ratio we are trying to find out. Solve for the unknown value
using cross multiplication.

( ) ( )

Thus, there are 4000 mg in 4 g.

PART B – Ladder Method

For every step DOWN the
staircase, move the decimal
point to the right.

For every step UP the

staircase, move the decimal
point to the left.

Note: When moving down the stairs we are multiplying by 10, 100, 1 000 or 1 000 000.
When moving up the stairs we are dividing by 10, 100, 1 000, or 1 000 000.

Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College YEAR 2014 www.georgebrown.ca/tlc
Conversions in the Metric System
Example 3: Convert 0.0254 L into mL.

Beginning at the base unit litre (L), we have to take three steps DOWN the stairs to
reach milliliters (mL).

Thus, we will multiply 0.0254 by 1 000 by moving the decimal point three spaces to the
right.
0.0254 x 1 000 =

Thus, there are 25.4 mL in 0.0254 L.

Example 4: Convert 35809.2 mg into kg.

Beginning at milligrams (mg), we have to take six steps up the stairs to reach kilograms
(kg).

Thus, we will divide 35809.2 mg by 1 000 000 by moving the decimal point six spaces to
the left.
35809.2 ÷ 1 000 000 =

Thus, there is 0.0358092 kg in 35809.2 mg.

Notice that both starting units (mm and cm) cancel out and you are left with the
desired unit (dm).

Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College YEAR 2014 www.georgebrown.ca/tlc
Conversions in the Metric System
Exercises:

1. Convert the following larger units of the Metric System to the equivalent smaller units.
a) 5 g = mg f) 1 g = mg
b) 2 L = mL g) 54 g = mg
c) 3.5 g = mg h) 2.5 L = mL
d) 0.03 g = mg i) 3.6 cm = mm
e) 0.002 L = mL j) 18 cm = mm

2. Convert the following smaller units of the Metric System to the equivalent larger units.
a) 610 mL = L f) 90 mg = g
b) 306 mm = cm g) 115 mL = L
c) 1520 g = kg h) 68 mL = L
d) 890 mg = g i) 110 mg = g
e) 2500 mL = L j) 500 mg = g

Solutions:

1. a) 5 g = 5000 mg f) 1g= 1000 mg

b) 2L= 2000 mL g) 54 g = 54000 mg
c) 3.5 g = 3500 mg h) 2.5 L = 2500 mL
d) 0.03 g = 30 mg i) 3.6 cm = 36 mm
e) 0.002 L = 2 mL j) 18 cm = 180 mm

2. a) 610 mL = 0.61 L f) 90 mg = 0.09 g

b) 306 mm = 30.6 cm g) 115 mL = 0.115 L
c) 1520 g = 1.52 kg h) 68 mL = 0.068 L
d) 890 mg = 0.89 g i) 110 mg = 0.11 g
e) 2500 mL = 2.5 L j) 500 mg = 0.5 g

Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College YEAR 2014 www.georgebrown.ca/tlc