Accurate Metric to Imperial Conversion Guide Written by Daisie Team Published on 23 April 2025 7 min read ContentsConvert Length: Metric to ImperialConvert Weight: Metric to ImperialConvert Volume: Metric to ImperialConvert Temperature: Metric to ImperialConvert Speed: Metric to ImperialConvert Area: Metric to ImperialConvert Pressure: Metric to ImperialConvert Energy: Metric to ImperialWhen you're navigating the world of measurements, converting metric to imperial measurements can often be a stumbling block. Whether you're preparing a recipe from overseas, working on an international engineering project, or simply trying to understand the weather report while on vacation, you'll find yourself needing to switch between these two systems. But don't worry, this handy and accurate guide will help you convert metric to imperial measurements in no time.Convert Length: Metric to ImperialLet's start with length. Whether you're measuring for a new piece of furniture or calculating distances for a road trip, having a solid grasp on length conversion can save you a whole lot of confusion.Meters to Feet: To convert meters to feet, you simply multiply the number of meters by 3.281. For example, if you have a 5-meter long couch, that's roughly 16.4 feet long (5 meters x 3.281 = 16.4 feet).Centimeters to Inches: Now, let's say you're working on a smaller scale—like crafting or sewing. In this case, you'll likely need to convert centimeters to inches. To do this, you multiply the number of centimeters by 0.39370. So, if you're using a piece of fabric that's 100 centimeters long, it's equivalent to about 39.37 inches (100 cm x 0.39370 = 39.37 inches).Kilometers to Miles: And what about longer distances? Well, when converting kilometers to miles, you multiply the number of kilometers by 0.62137. So a 10-kilometer race you're planning to run is actually around 6.21 miles long (10 km x 0.62137 = 6.21 miles).And there you have it. With these conversions, you're well on your way to mastering length in the metric to imperial system.Convert Weight: Metric to ImperialLet's now turn our attention to weight. Whether you're checking your luggage weight for an overseas flight or following a recipe that uses ounces instead of grams, knowing how to convert weight from metric to imperial can be a real life-saver.Kilograms to Pounds: When converting kilograms to pounds, you need to multiply the number of kilograms by 2.2046. So, if you've packed a suitcase weighing 20 kilograms, it's equivalent to around 44.09 pounds (20 kg x 2.2046 = 44.09 lbs).Grams to Ounces: For smaller weights, such as in cooking or baking, you might need to convert grams to ounces. To do this, multiply the number of grams by 0.035274. So, if a recipe calls for 500 grams of flour, you'll actually need about 17.64 ounces (500 g x 0.035274 = 17.64 oz).With these conversions up your sleeve, you're one step closer to becoming an expert in the metric to imperial conversion game. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if it seems a bit tricky at first. Keep trying and soon it'll be second nature!Convert Volume: Metric to ImperialLet's dive into the realm of volume conversion now. This might come in handy when you're trying to fill up your car's tank overseas or cooking a dish from a foreign recipe book.Liters to Gallons: If you're used to measuring liquid in liters and suddenly need to convert to gallons, don't worry. The key is to remember that one liter is approximately 0.2642 gallons. So, if you have a 5-liter jug of water, that's about 1.32 gallons (5 l x 0.2642 = 1.32 gal).Milliliters to Fluid Ounces: For smaller volumes, you might need to convert from milliliters to fluid ounces. The conversion rate is 1 milliliter equals approximately 0.0338 fluid ounces. So, if a recipe asks for 250 milliliters of milk, you would need about 8.45 fluid ounces (250 ml x 0.0338 = 8.45 fl oz).See, converting from metric to imperial isn't as daunting as it first appears, right? With these formulas and a little practice, you'll be a pro in no time!Convert Temperature: Metric to ImperialEver wondered why the weather report makes no sense when you're vacationing in Europe? That's probably because they use Celsius, while you're accustomed to Fahrenheit. No worries, let’s break it down!Celsius to Fahrenheit: The formula is a bit tricky, but with a bit of mental gymnastics, you'll get the hang of it. You multiply the temperature in Celsius by 9/5 and then add 32. So, if it's 20 degrees Celsius, in Fahrenheit that would be 68 degrees (20 x 9/5 + 32 = 68 F).Fahrenheit to Celsius: If you need to go the other way around, subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature, then multiply by 5/9. So, if it's a toasty 85 degrees Fahrenheit in your hometown, that's about 29.44 degrees Celsius (85 - 32 x 5/9 = 29.44 C).Now, you can be the human thermometer among your friends, converting metric to imperial temperatures with ease!Convert Speed: Metric to ImperialHere's a fun fact: if you've ever watched a car chase in a movie and thought, "Wow, they're going super fast!" it might be because they were using kilometers per hour instead of miles per hour. Let's see how to switch between the two.Kilometers per hour to Miles per hour: If you're driving at 100 km/h and want to know what that is in mph, you'll need to multiply by 0.621371. So, 100 km/h is approximately 62 mph (100 x 0.621371 = 62.1371 mph). Not as fast as you thought, huh?Miles per hour to Kilometers per hour: On the flip side, if you're speeding down the highway at 75 mph and want to brag to your European friends, convert to km/h by multiplying by 1.60934. So, 75 mph is approximately 120 km/h (75 x 1.60934 = 120.7 km/h). Now, that sounds fast!So next time you're watching a movie or discussing speed limits, you'll be ready. You'll be converting metric to imperial speeds in no time!Convert Area: Metric to ImperialLet's now focus on an area that is often overlooked when it comes to conversions: area. We're not talking about a geographical location here. No, we're talking about the measurement of space within a boundary. And yes, even this can be converted from metric to imperial.Square meters to Square feet: Picture your living room. It's a nice size, right? Now, if you've measured it in square meters but want to know the size in square feet, you'll multiply by 10.764. So if your living room is 20 square meters, it's roughly 215 square feet (20 x 10.764 = 215.28 square feet). That's a lot of space for activities!Square feet to Square meters: On the other hand, if you're looking at a property listing in square feet and want to convert it to square meters, you'll need to multiply by 0.092903. So, a 500 square foot studio is around 46 square meters (500 x 0.092903 = 46.45 square meters). Quite a cozy space, isn't it?With these simple conversions, you'll be able to talk about space in a whole new way. Remember, it's not just about size—it's about the right metric to imperial conversion!Convert Pressure: Metric to ImperialEver felt under pressure to understand pressure conversions? Well, worry no more! Let's take the pressure off by guiding you through the process of converting pressure from metric to imperial.Pressure, in simple terms, is the force applied perpendicular to the surface of an object per unit area. It's usually measured in Pascals (Pa) in the metric system and pounds per square inch (psi) in the imperial system.Pascals to Pounds per square inch: If you're trying to convert Pascals to psi, here's how you do it. You have to multiply by 0.0001450377. So, if you have pressure of 1000 Pascals, it converts to 0.145 psi (1000 x 0.0001450377 = 0.145). Easy, right?Pounds per square inch to Pascals: Now, if you want to go the other way— from psi to Pascals— it's just as simple. Multiply by 6894.76. So, let's say you have a pressure of 2 psi. That's 13789.52 Pascals (2 x 6894.76 = 13789.52). Now you're really feeling the pressure!By understanding how to convert pressure from metric to imperial, you're not only learning new skills but also taking the pressure off when you encounter these measurements in your day-to-day life. Isn't that a relief?Convert Energy: Metric to ImperialLet's jump right into the energy of this guide and learn how to convert energy measurements from metric to imperial. The energy around this topic is positively electric!When we talk about energy, we usually refer to it in Joules (J) in the metric system, and British Thermal Units (BTU) in the imperial system.Joules to British Thermal Units: To convert Joules to BTU, you need to multiply by 0.00094781712. So, let's say we have 5000 Joules of energy. That would convert to approximately 4.739 BTU (5000 x 0.00094781712 = 4.739). Feel the heat yet?British Thermal Units to Joules: To go from BTU to Joules, you do the opposite—multiply by 1055.06. So, if you've got 10 BTU, it would be 10550.6 Joules (10 x 1055.06 = 10550.6). That's a lot of energy!Now that you know how to convert energy from metric to imperial, you're all set to power through any energy conversion problem that comes your way. Ready to go and light up the world with your newfound knowledge?If you found this "Accurate Metric to Imperial Conversion Guide" blog post helpful and are interested in learning more about related topics, consider checking out the workshop 'Shadow Casting In Perspective Like A Pro' by Roberto Bernal. This workshop will teach you essential skills for creating accurate and realistic shadows in your artwork, which can be useful when working with different units of measurement.For more inspiration and creative learning, explore Daisie's classes and discover a wealth of knowledge from some of the best minds in the arts. Related Articles Novella: Definition, Examples, Key Characteristics 7 min read 23 Apr 2025 Novella: Definition, Examples, Key Characteristics 7 min read 23 Apr 2025 Dramatic Irony: Usage & Examples in Writing 7 min read 23 Apr 2025 Epithet: Definition, Types, and 5 Clear Examples 5 min read 23 Apr 2025 Malapropism: Examples & Avoiding Language Errors 6 min read 23 Apr 2025