What units do we use for measurement?

​In the United States, as well as two other countries Liberia and Myanmar, we use the "customary" measurement system.

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This system uses inches, feet, yards, and miles for distance.

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We use ounces and pounds for weight. (lbs and oz)

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For volume or capacity we use fluid ounces, cups, pints, quarts, and gallons.

What about the rest of the world?

Countries all over the world from Sudan to Mexico to Germany use the metric system.

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This system uses meters for length.

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They use grams for weight.

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For volume or capacity they use liters.

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They also use prefixes to note small or large quantities of each measurement.​

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What do these prefixes mean?

Let's just focus on these three prefixes right now:

Kilo = 1,000 times a measurement. Kilometer = 1,000 meters

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Centi = 1/100 (a hundredth) of a measurement​

Centimeter = 1/100 meter

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Milli = 1/1000 (a thousandth) of a measurement

Millimeter​

Remember we only use these prefixes with the metric system! There is no "kilo-inch" or "milli-pound".