Convert Metric Units
Lesson preview: the Mini Lesson and Vocabulary are open to everyone. Guided practice, exercises, the parent checklist and the printable PDF worksheet come with full access (free 7-day trial or membership).
What you will learn
- 1Identify and use metric units for length, mass, and capacity
- 2Convert between metric units using multiplication and division
- 3Convert measurements to smaller and larger metric units
Mini Lesson
Units in the metric system are based on 10, 100, and 1000. The prefix kilo- means multiply by 1000, centi- means divide by 100, and milli- means divide by 1000. Knowing the prefixes lets you convert any metric measurement quickly.
Length: km, m, cm, mm
- 1 km = 1000 m — multiply by 1000 to go from km to m.
- 1 m = 100 cm — multiply by 100 to go from m to cm.
- 1 cm = 10 mm — multiply by 10 to go from cm to mm.
- To convert the other way, divide: 500 cm = 500 ÷ 100 = 5 m.
Mass: kg and g
- 1 kg = 1000 g — multiply by 1000 to go from kg to g.
- To convert g to kg, divide by 1000: 3000 g = 3 kg.
Capacity: L and mL
- 1 L = 1000 mL — multiply by 1000 to go from L to mL.
- To convert mL to L, divide by 1000: 4000 mL = 4 L.
Words to know
metric system
A measurement system based on powers of 10.
e.g. Most of the world uses the metric system.
kilo-
A prefix that means one thousand (×1000).
e.g. 1 kilometer = 1000 meters.
centi-
A prefix that means one hundredth (÷100 of the base unit).
e.g. 1 meter = 100 centimeters.
milli-
A prefix that means one thousandth (÷1000 of the base unit).
e.g. 1 liter = 1000 milliliters.
mass
How much matter is in an object, measured in grams or kilograms.
e.g. A bag of sugar has a mass of 1 kg.
capacity
How much liquid a container can hold, measured in liters or milliliters.
e.g. A water bottle has a capacity of 500 mL.
Tip: to convert to a smaller unit, multiply. To convert to a larger unit, divide. Ask yourself: "Am I going to a smaller or larger unit?"
Unlock the full HSEA system for 7 days.
Add your first kid profile and your 7 days start: every lesson in every grade, saved progress for each child. Nothing to set up, no card required, nothing to cancel.
- ✓ All 1,880 lessons, Grades 1–6, every subject
- ✓ Profiles + saved progress for every kid
- ✓ Printable lessons with answer key