Metric to Standard Size

The United States, Myanmar and Liberia are the only places that still officially use the standard measurement system, though it is also commonly used in parts of the United Kingdom. The rest of the world uses the metric system of measure. Memorizing basic conversion ratios and equations can make moving between standard and metric measurements in a blueprint, pattern or instruction set easier.

Length

One millimeter is equal to .03937 inches. This is the basis of any conversion of length from metric to standard. To convert a measurement in millimeters to inches multiply the number of millimeters times .03937. To convert centimeters to inches, multiply by .3937 inches. To convert meters to yards, multiply the number of meters time 1.0936 yards. To convert kilometers to miles multiply times .6214 miles.

One inch is equal to 2.54 centimeters. This is the basis of all length conversions form standard to metric. To convert inches to centimeters, multiply the number of inches times 2.54 centimeters. To convert feet to meters, multiply the number of feet times .3048 meters. To convert yards to meters, multiply the number of yards by .9144 meters. To convert miles to kilometers multiply the number of miles by 1.6093 kilometers. To convert nautical miles to kilometers multiply the number of nautical miles times 1.853 kilometers.

Weight

On milligram is equal to 0.0154 grain. To convert milligrams to grains, multiply the total number of milligrams times 0.0154. To convert grain to ounces, multiply the number of ounces times 437.5 grains. To convert ounces to grams, multiply the number of ounces times 28.35 grams. To convert pounds to kilograms, multiply the number of kilograms times 2.2046 pounds.

Liquid

To convert fluid ounces to millimeters, multiply the number of fluid ounces times 29.574. To convert pints to liters, multiply the number of pints times .4731 liters. To convert gallons to liters, multiply the number of gallons times 3.7854 liters.

Temperature

There are four measures of temperature, Fahrenheit, Celsius, Kelvin and Rankin. To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit multiply the temperature in Celsius times 1.8 and then add 32. The complete equation is F=(1.8xC)+32. To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius use the equation C= (F-32) x 0.555. When converting Celsius to Kelvin, use the equation K= C+273.2. When converting Fahrenheit to Rankin, use the equation R=F+459.67.