Chapter 2 - Some Unit Conversion Factors

Mass

  • 1 pound = 453.6 grams
  • 1 grain = 64.798 milligrams
  • 1 dram = 1.772 grams
  • 1 ounce = 16 drams
  • 1 dram = 27.344 grains
  • 1 pound = 7,000. grains
  • 1 ton = 2000 pounds
  • 1 metric ton = 1000 kilograms

Length

  • 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters (exact)
  • 1 foot = 12 inches
  • 1 yard = 3 feet
  • 1 rod = 5.5 yards
  • 1 mile = 5280 feet
  • 1 nautical mile = 1.852 kilometers
  • 1 furlong = 220 yards
  • 1 meter = 103 millimeters
  • 1 meter = 102 centimeters
  • 1 meter = 109 nanometers

Volume

  • 1 gallon = 3.785 liters
  • 1 milliliter = 1 cubic centimeter
  • 1 fluid ounce = 8 fluid drams
  • 1 fluid ounce = 29.573 milliliters
  • 1 pint = 16 fluid ounces
  • 1 quart = 2 pints
  • 1 gallon = 4 quarts
  • 1 barrel = 42 gallons
  • 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoon
  • 1 fluid ounce = 2 tablespoon
  • 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces
  • 1 pint = 2 cups
  • 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet
  • 1 megaliter = 106 liters
  • 1 liter = 106 microliters

Area

  • 1 acre = 43,560 square feet
  • 1 square mile = 640 acres
  • 1 square foot = 144 square inches

 

Time

  • 1 century = 100 years
  • 1 year = 365.25 days
  • 1 day = 24 hours
  • 1 hour = 60 minutes
  • 1 minute = 60 seconds
  • 1 second = 1012 picoseconds
In general, metric-to-metric and Engish-to-English unit conversions are exact. Metric-to-English conversions are not exact and answers are limited to the number of significant figures in the conversion factor. The inch-to-centimeter conversion is an exception to this generalization.