Appendix B: Metric Unit Symbols and Relationships

Notes for Use

  • Metric conversions are based on powers of 10 (move the decimal point).
  • Always check units to confirm your answer is reasonable.
  • Use this reference sheet during problem solving—memorization is not required.
Table 1: Time Conversions
Unit Symbol Conversion
second s —
minute min 1 min = 60 s
hour h 1 h = 60 min
day d 1 d = 24 h
year a 1 a = 365 d
Table 2: Length and Area Conversions
Quantity Unit Symbol Conversion
Length kilometre km 1 km = 1000 m
metre m 1 m = 100 cm
centimetre cm 1 cm = 10 mm
millimetre mm 1 m = 1000 mm
Area hectare ha 1 ha = 10,000 m²
square kilometre km² 1 km² = 1,000,000 m²
hectare ha 1 km² = 100 ha
square metre m² 1 ha = 10,000 m²
square centimetre cm² 1 m² = 10,000 cm²
Table 3: Volume Conversions
Unit Symbol Conversion
kilolitre kL 1 kL = 1000 L
cubic metre m³ 1 m³ = 1 kL
litre L 1 L = 1000 mL
cubic centimetre cm³ 1 L = 1000 cm³
millilitre mL 1 mL = 1 cm³
Table 4: Mass Conversions
Unit Symbol Conversion
kilolitre kL 1 kL = 1000 L
cubic metre m³ 1 m³ = 1 kL
litre L 1 L = 1000 mL
cubic centimetre cm³ 1 L = 1000 cm³
millilitre mL 1 mL = 1 cm³
Table 5: Water Equivalencies
Quantity Equivalent Mass
1 kL of water 1 tonne (t)
1 L of water 1 kilogram (kg)
1 mL of water 1 gram (g)
Table 6: Metric Prefixes
Prefix Symbol Value
mega M 1,000,000
kilo k 1,000
hecto h 100
deca da 10
deci d 0.1
centi c 0.01
milli m 0.001
micro μ 0.000001

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