Using Metric Measurements

Grams

​Grams are used to measure mass - how much matter an object has.

​​Meters

Liters

Celsius (ºC)

​Bigger unit - kilogram (kg)

Smaller unit - milligram (mg)

Mass is measured using a scale or a triple beam balance.

Meters are used to measure length or distance.

​Bigger unit - kilometer (km)

Smaller units - centimeter (cm) and millimeter (mm)

Length is measured using a meter stick or a metric ruler.

Liters are used to measure volume - how much space something takes up.

​Smaller unit - milliliter (mL)

Volume is measured using a beaker or a graduated cylinder. Beakers are less accurate!

The Celsius scale is used to measure temperature.

Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius and freezes at 0 degrees Celsius.

Metric Conversions

If you are going from a LARGE unit to a SMALL unit (ex. converting from kilograms to grams), multiply by the number of "hops" on the number line.

If you are going from a SMALL unit to a LARGE unit (ex. converting from milliliters to liters), divide by the number of "hops" on the number line.

Each "hop" is a power of ten (ex. centimeters are 10 times bigger than millimeters)