Measurement Benchmarks
The Metric System
Metric Linear Measurement (length)
Millimeter (mm) Millimeter = thickness of a dime
Centimeter (cm) Centimeter = width of a fingernail One centimeter = 10 millimeters
Meter (m) Meter = width of a door frame One meter = 1,000 millimeters or 100 centimeters
Kilometer (km) Kilometer = driving down the highway One kilometer = 1,000 meters
Metric Capacity
Milliliter (mL) Milliliter = one drop from a medicine dropper
Liter (L) Liter = bottle of soda One liter = 1,000 milliliters
Metric Mass
Milligram (mg) Milligram = a speck of dust
Gram (g) Gram = the mass of a paper clip One gram = 1,000 milligrams
Kilogram (kg) Kilogram = the mass of a baseball bat One kilogram = 1,000 grams
The Customary System
Customary Linear Measurement (length)
Inch (in.) Inch = the space between joints on your finger
Foot (ft) Foot = about the length of an adult foot One foot = 12 inches
Yard (yd) Yard = width of a door One yard = 3 feet or 36 inches
Mile (mi) Mile = driving down the highway One mile = 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet
Customary Capacity
Cup (c) Cup = a small cup One cup = 8 fluid ounces
Pint (pt) Pint = a small container of ice cream One pint = 2 cups
Quart (qt) Quart = a bottle of motor oil One quart = 2 pints or 4 cups
Gallon (gal) Gallon = a large container of milk One gallon = 4 quarts
Customary Weight
Ounce (oz) Ounce = the weight of a slice of bread
Pound (lb) Pound = the weight of a loaf of bread One pound = 16 ounces
Ton (T) Ton = the weight of a bread truck One ton = 2000 pounds