What is the Metric System?
The metric system (International System of Units or SI) is a decimal-based measurement system used worldwide. It was developed in France during the French Revolution and is based on multiples of 10, making conversions straightforward.
Key Features:
- Decimal-based (multiples of 10)
- Consistent prefixes (kilo-, centi-, milli-, etc.)
- Used by most countries worldwide
- Standard in scientific and medical fields
What is the Imperial System?
The imperial system (also called British Imperial) and US Customary system are measurement systems that evolved from older English units. They use various conversion factors (12 inches = 1 foot, 3 feet = 1 yard, etc.).
Key Features:
- Historical roots in British measurements
- Non-decimal conversion factors
- Still used in the US, UK (partially), and some other countries
- Common in everyday US measurements
Key Differences
| Aspect | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Decimal (10) | Various factors |
| Length Unit | Meter | Foot/Yard |
| Weight Unit | Kilogram | Pound |
| Volume Unit | Liter | Gallon |
When to Use Each System
Use Metric When:
- Working internationally
- Scientific or medical applications
- Engineering and technical work
- Most countries outside the US
Use Imperial When:
- In the United States (everyday use)
- Working with US-based recipes
- Real estate in US/UK
- Historical or traditional contexts
Common Conversions
Use our converters to easily switch between systems:
- Length Converter - Convert meters, feet, inches, kilometers, miles
- Weight Converter - Convert kilograms, pounds, ounces, grams
- Volume Converter - Convert liters, gallons, cups, milliliters
- Temperature Converter - Convert Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin