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Convert to Metric Units

 

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Conversion Tool

From:
(Initial Units or
Expression)

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Result:
(Initial Value with
Metric Units)

 

Library of Units and Constants:

Name Index

Quantity Index

Group Index

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Examples

From

Result

foot

0.3048 meters

83 deg-F

28.333333333 deg-C

(6 * 18) mile^2

279.71871592 kilometers^2

70.4 kg + 115 lb

122.56312255 kilograms

(20ft + 2in) * (15ft - 8in)

26.85413984 meters^2

-16.2 + sqrt(16.2^2 - 4 * 3.1 * 0.7)

-0.27015379861

(5 qt + 2 gal)/ 4.751 seconds

2.5894734368 liters / second

pi (4.7 cm)^2 sin(41 deg)

45.529041288 centimeters^2

50 meters * 25 meters * 10 ft

3810 meters^3

(2000 V/m) * 35 cm * 2 elementary-charges

224.3047142 attojoules

These results are based on the modern metric system called the International System of Units (or SI units). This tool tries base, derived, and accepted metric units when seeking a concise metric equivalent. There are multiple ways to express a value in metric (SI) units, so the units returned here may not be in the form that you expect.

"From" Entry

Enter the units or the mathematical expression with units that you want to convert. This can be as simple as a unit name or as complex as a formula involving additions, subtractions, multiplications, divisions, powers, square roots, and scientific functions (sin, cos, tan, arcsin, arccos, arctan, sinh, cosh, tanh, log, ln, and exp). The expression entry is very flexible; try typing an expression as you would normally write it.

As part of the results, the interpretation of your expression is shown in order to verify that it matches what you intended. Wherever you see a unit or constant in the results, click on it to read a description of it. This helps verify that the correct unit or constant was used in the calculation.

Many units, such as the "foot" or "gallon", have multiple variations and the result will change based on the variation you pick. A note is provided in the results when you use units that have variations.

Below are some important expression features:

Expression Features

Examples

Meaning of Examples

Common abbreviations are allowed (see the Name Index)

ft
m

foot
meter

Standard metric power prefixes are allowed

millisecond
kilometer

0.001 seconds
1000 meters

Scientific notation is allowed

4.2e-3
2e3

0.0042
2000

"*" or a space between expressions represents the multiply operator. However, if the expressions are simple and have the same dimensions, a space is treated as an addition (as is common with written expressions).

(4 * 5) grams
3 newtons * 2 meters
5ft 45lbf
5ft 8in
(5ft 8in)(4ft 3in)
2hr 37min 14s

20 grams
6 newton meters
225 foot pounds-force
5 feet + 8 inches
(5 feet + 8 inches) * (4 feet + 3 inches)
2 hours + 37 minutes + 14 seconds

"^" represents the power operator

4^2
mile^2
second^-1

16
mile mile
1/second

"sqrt" represents the square root function

sqrt(4 m^2)
sqrt(-37)

2 meters
(error)

"sin", "cos", "tan", "arcsin", "arccos", "arctan", "sinh", "cosh", "tanh", "log", "ln", and "exp" represent their respective scientific functions. A trig function argument without units is considered to be in radians but you can also use units like "deg" with function arguments.

cos(pi/3)
cos((pi/3) rad)
cos(60 deg)
sin(100 grad)
tan(800 mil)

0.5
0.5
0.5
1.0
1.0

Modifiers "square", "sq", "squared", "cubic", "cu", "cubed", and "reciprocal" have their normal meaning

square meter
sq yard
seconds squared
cubic inch
cu yd
cm cubed
reciprocal seconds

meter^2
yard^2
seconds^2
inch^3
yd^3
cm^3
1/seconds

In general, a "-" connecting names is treated the same as a space. If you need a subtraction operator or negative sign, put at least one space around the "-".

kilogram-meter/second^2
kg - lb
cubic-yard
cubic -yard

kilogram meter/second^2
kg - lb (subtraction)
yard^3
(-yard)^3

Sometimes a "-" is required to distinguish a unit name from an expression with the same words.

kilogram-calorie
kilogram calorie

the unit "kilocalorie"
a mass times an energy