Guide to Converting from the British Imperial System to the Metric System
The British Imperial system of measurement, often simply referred to as the Imperial system, has been in use for centuries. However, in today’s globalized world, the metric system is more universally recognized. This article and guide will help you understand how to convert between the two systems with ease, providing an introduction to each section for better clarity.
The source of the data provided in this guide is from the article “How Many ML In A Pint” and also information based on the United States Census Bureau.
1. Length
Length is a measure of how long something is. In the British Imperial system, common units of length include feet and miles, while the metric system uses meters and kilometers.
From Feet to Meters:
1 foot = 0.3048 meters
Example: To convert 5 feet to meters:
5 feet x 0.3048 = 15.24 meters
From Miles to Kilometers:
1 mile = 1.60934 kilometers
Example: To convert 3 miles to kilometers:
3 miles x 1.60934 = 4.82802 kilometers
2. Weight
Weight refers to the measure of how heavy an object is. Pounds and stones are common weight units in the Imperial system, whereas the metric system primarily uses kilograms.
From Pounds to Kilograms:
1 pound = 0.453592 kilograms
Example: To convert 10 pounds to kilograms:
10 pounds x 0.453592 = 4.53592 kilograms
From Stones to Kilograms:
1 stone = 6.35029 kilograms
Example: To convert 6 stones to kilograms:
6 stones x 6.35029 = 38.10174 kilograms
3. Volume
Volume is the measure of space occupied by an object or substance. In the context of liquids, the Imperial system uses pints and quarts, while the metric system employs milliliters and liters.
From Milliliters to Pints:
1 pint (UK) = 568.261 milliliters
To convert milliliters to pints, divide by 568.261.
Example: To convert 1000 milliliters to pints:
1000 ml ÷ 568.261 = 1.76 pints
From Liters to Quarts:
1 quart (UK) = 1.13652 liters
To convert liters to quarts, divide by 1.13652.
Example: To convert 5 liters to quarts:
5 liters ÷ 1.13652 = 4.4 quarts
4. Area
Area measures the extent of a two-dimensional surface. Acres and square feet are common area units in the Imperial system, while the metric system uses hectares and square meters.
From Acres to Hectares:
1 acre = 0.404686 hectares
Example: To convert 2 acres to hectares:
2 acres x 0.404686 = 0.809372 hectares
From Square Feet to Square Meters:
1 square foot = 0.092903 square meters
Example: To convert 100 square feet to square meters:
100 square feet x 0.092903 = 9.2903 square meters
5. Temperature
Temperature indicates the degree of heat or cold in a body or environment. The Imperial system measures temperature in Fahrenheit, while the metric system uses Celsius.
From Fahrenheit to Celsius:
°C = (°F – 32) x 5/9
Example: To convert 68°F to Celsius:
(68 – 32) x 5/9 = 20°C
Conclusion
Converting between the British Imperial system and the metric system can seem daunting at first, but with the right conversion factors and a bit of practice, it becomes second nature. Always remember to double-check your calculations to ensure accuracy, especially when precision is essential.
