The basic unit for length in the metric system of measurement is the metre (m).
For measuring the lengths of short distances and objects, rulers can be used, using suitable units from the table below.
The commonly used units are millimetres, centimetres, metres and kilometres.
Unit
|
Convert to
|
Action |
millimetres (mm) |
cm
|
÷ 10 |
m
|
÷ 1000 | |
km
|
÷ 1 000 000 | |
centimetres (cm) |
mm
|
× 10 |
m
|
÷ 100 | |
km
|
÷ 100 000 | |
metres (m) |
mm
|
× 1000 |
cm
|
× 100 | |
km
|
÷ 1000 | |
kilometres (km) |
mm
|
× 1 000 000 |
cm
|
× 100 000 | |
m
|
× 1000 |