Introduction
In 1975, the Metric Conversion Act was passed by Congress and signed by the President of the United States; thus, the International System of Units (SI) was adopted in order for the United States to join other nations in using the SI metric system. In July 1991, the President of the United States issued an Executive Order that reaffirmed the 1975 Metric Conversion Act directive. All executive branch departments and agencies of the United States Government are directed to take all appropriate measures within their authority to carry out the provisions of Executive Order 12770. The SI metric system is a modern form of the old meter, kilogram, second, ampere metric system. It is intended to be the basis for worldwide standardization of units of measure. With this system, the use of some non-SI units was inevitable because of the traditional use of the old metric units in some countries. Although the system is now used worldwide by scientists, some U.S. firms and government agencies have not changed their equipment, tools, machinery, etc., to a metric scale of measurement because of the expense and inconvenience involved. Some authors and editors avoid metric units because they do not completely understand the SI system. Although the SI system supposedly uses unambiguous symbols, it allows the use of some non-SI units. This becomes confusing because we find ourselves using a mixture of English and metric units (e.g., barrels, meters, pounds per square inch).
Maps and illustrations that carry a bar or rake scale or other units dimensions or quantities should show both metric and English
or their equivalents.
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EM.2.Whenever possible, use the units recommended in Federal Standard 376A, Preferred Metric Units for General Use by the Federal Government. These MMS Preferred Units are listed in the tables following EM.8. EM.3.Metric expressions should have the same degree of precision as that of the inch-pound value (magnitude) from which the conversion is made. To determine the metric magnitude equivalent to an inch-pound magnitude, multiply by the appropriate conversion factor, and then round off to reflect the precision of the original inch-pound value. EM.4.Conversion factors, rounding, and other elements of metric system usage should be based on latest editions of the following documents: American Petroleum Institute Publication 2564Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards Chapter 15Guidelines for the Use of the International System of Units (SI) in the Petroleum and Allied Industries. American National Standard ANSI/IEEE Std 268Standard Metric Practice (as revised). (Copies may be obtained from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers [IEEE], 345 East 47th St., New York, NY 10017.) ASTM E 380Standard for Metric Practice (as revised). (Copies may be obtained from the ASTM, 1916 Race St., Philadelphia, PA 19103.) ANMC851Metric Editorial Guide (Fourth Edition revised), April 1985. (Copies may be obtained from the American National Metric Council [ANMC], 1010 Vermont Ave., NW., Suite 1010, Washington, DC 20005.) EM.5.Include a conversion table in all reports and publications. Place the conversion table either in the front matter or in the back matter of the publication. List the table in the Contents section of all publications. Although there are no designated formats, you may devise a table including only those units appearing in your publication. A sample table is included here for your guidance, or you may create your own by referring to GPO (p. 241) or to the Standard for Metric Practice booklet (ASTM E 38076) published in 1980 by the American Society for Testing and Materials.
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EnglishMetric Conversion
Measurements in this document are reported in SI metric units followed by the English equivalents in parentheses. The following table provides the factors for converting measurements to either U.S. customary (inch-pound) units or the International System (SI) of metric units.
Inch-Pound unit
(multiply by to obtain)
SI Metric unit
inches ....................................................... 2.54........................................ centimeters feet............................................................ 0.3048.................................... meters statute miles ........................................... 1.609...................................... kilometers nautical (geographic) miles ................... 1.852...................................... kilometers acres ......................................................... 0.4047.................................... hectares barrels (petroleum, 1 bbl = 42 gal)...... 0.15897.................................. cubic meter gallons ...................................................... 3.785...................................... liters cubic feet.................................................. 0.02832.................................. cubic meters tons, long (deadweight, 2,240 lb) ......... 1.016...................................... metric tons
SI Metric unit
(multiply by to obtain)
centimeters .............................................. 0.3937.................................... inches meters ...................................................... 3.281...................................... feet kilometers ................................................ 0.6214.................................... miles, statute kilometers ................................................ 0.5400.................................... miles, geographic (nautical) hectares.................................................... 2.47105.................................. acres cubic meters ............................................ 6.290...................................... barrels (petroleum, 1 bbl = 42 gal) liters ......................................................... 0.2642.................................... gallons metric tons .............................................. 0.9842.................................... tons, long (deadweight, 2,240 lb)
NOTE: Distances on the Federal Outer Continental Shelf and on land are measured in statute miles. Distances on the offshore State lands are measured in nautical (geographic) miles. Generally, coastal States were granted jurisdiction over offshore lands to a distance of 3 nautical miles from their coasts by the Submerged Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1301, et seq.). The offshore jurisdiction of Texas and Florida (on its gulf coast side only) extends to 3 marine leagues (approximately 10.35 statute miles) for historic reasons.
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ENGLISH-METRIC USAGE
Rates and Other Derived Quantities.It is not practical to list all quantities, but others such as rates can be readily derived. For example, to convert from in/s to cm/s multiply by 2.54; to convert from Btu/lb to J/kg multiply by (1055.056)/(0.453 592 37) or 2326.00. Conversion Factors.Conversion factors are shown from inchpound values to metric values, generally to seven significant digits. Exact conversion factors are indicated by an asterisk (*). For conversion from metric values to inch-pound values, divide rather than multiply by the factor. For example, to convert 16.3 meters to yards, divide by 0.9144; the answer is 17.826 yards, which rounds to 17.8 yards. Rounding.The following guidance on rounding is quoted from the ANWC Metric Editorial Guide, third edition, and is applicable to converting to inch-pound values as well as to metric values. For everyday rounding of metric values obtained by converting untoleranced inch-pound values, the following simplified rules are suggested, but for more sophisticated rounding rules, see Section 4 of ASTM #380-82 or ANSI/IEEE Std. 268-1982. (a) If the inch-pound value is expressed by a combination of units, such as feet and inches, or pounds and ounces, first express it in terms of the smaller unit.
14 ft 5 in = 173 in
(b) When the digits to be discarded begin with a 5 or more, increase by one unit the last digit retained.
8.3745, if rounded to three digits, would be 8.37; if rounded to four digits, would be 8.375.
(c) Multiply the inch-pound value by the conversion factor. If the first significant digit of the metric value is equal to or larger than the first significant digit of the inch-pound value, round the metric value to the same number of significant digits as there are in the inch-pound value.
11 mi x 1.609 km/mi = 17.699 km, which rounds to 18 km 61 mi x 1.609 km/mi = 98.149 km, which rounds to 98 km
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ENGLISH-METRIC USAGE
(d) Exceptions. It is sometimes better to round to one less digit than specified above. For example, according to rule (c), 26 pounds per square inch air pressure in an automobile tire would be converted as follows:
26 psi x 6.895 kPa/psi = 179.27 kPa, which rounds to 179 kPa (psi = pound-force per square inch or lbf/in2)
But, 180 kPa, where the zero is not a significant digit, would usually be better because tire pressures are not expected to be very precise. The rules do not apply to conversion of F to C. (e) The simplified rules given above do not eliminate the necessity for using good judgment. If you believe that a dimension given merely as 8 ft is actually valid to the nearest 1/10 inch, you should consider it to mean 96.0 inches (per [a]) and treat it as having three significant digits. The rounded dimension would then be 2.438 m instead of 2.4 m. Where an inch-pound value represents a maximum or minimum limit that must be respected, the rounding must be in the direction that does not violate the original limit. the beginning of a One or more zeroesatatthe end of a numbernumber are not called significant. Zeroes are not considered
significant unless their use results in a number that is closer to the true value than would be the case if the number were increased or decreased by 1.
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Length
Myriameter (obsolete) ................... Kilometer........................................ Hectometer .................................... Dekameter ..................................... Meter.............................................. Decimeter ...................................... Centimeter ..................................... Millimeter ....................................... 10,000 meters ............................................... 1,000 meters ............................................... 100 meters ............................................... 10 meters ............................................... 1 meter ............................................... 0.1 meter ............................................... 0.01 meter ............................................... 0.001 meter ............................................... 6.2137 miles 0.62137 mile 328 feet 1 inch 393.7 inches 39.37 inches 3.937 inches 0.3937 inch 0.0394 inch
Area
Hectare.................................... 10,000 square meters ............................................... Are.............................................. 100 square meters ............................................... Centiare ......................................... 1 square meter ............................................... 2.471 acres 119.6 square yards 1,550 square inches
Weight
Name Metric ton, millier or tonneau ....... Kilogram or kilo............................. Hectogram ..................................... Dekagram ...................................... Gram.............................................. Decigram ....................................... Centigram ...................................... Milligram ........................................ No. of grams 1,000,000 1,000 100 10 1 .1 .01 .001 Vol. of water corresponding to weight 1 cubic meter 1 liter 1 deciliter 10 cubic centimeters 1 cubic centimeter 0.1 cubic centimeter 10 cubic millimeters 1 cubic millimeter Avoirdupois weight of water 2,204.6 pounds 2.2046 pounds 3.5274 ounces 0.3527 ounce 15.432 grains 1.5432 grains 0.1543 grain 0.0154 grain
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Capacity
Name Kiloliter or stere Hectoliter Dekaliter Liter No. of liters 1,000 100 10 1 Metric cubic measure 1 cubic meter 0.1 cubic meter 10 cubic decimeters 1 cubic decimeter U.S. measure 1.308 cubic yards 2.838 bushels; 26,417 gallons 1.135 pecks; 2.6417 gallons 0.908 dry quart; 1.0567 liquid quarts 6.1023 cubic inches; 0.845 gill 0.6102 cubic inch; 0.338 fluid ounce 0.061 cubic inch; 0.271 fluid dram British measure 1.308 cubic yards 2.75 bushels; 22.00 gallons 8.80 quarts; 2.200 gallons 0.880 quart
Deciliter Centiliter
.1 .01
Milliliter
.001
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ENGLISH-METRIC USAGE
100
ENGLISH-METRIC USAGE
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ENGLISH-METRIC USAGE
From Inch-Pound Units rad rad rad sr nmi km km m m m m cm mm m m m nm km/L km2 ha m2 m2 m2 cm2 mm2 m2
To Metric Units
Multiply by *1.0 (same unit) 0.017 453 29 *1.0 (a) (same unit) *1.0 (a) (same unit) *1.0 (a) (same unit) 0.015 707 96 *1.0 (same unit) *1.0 (b) (same unit) 1.609 347 (c) *1.609 344 (c) *1.828 8 *0.914 4 0.304 800 6 (c) *0.304 8 (c) *2.54 *25.4 *25.4 *1.0 (d) (same unit) *0.025 4 *0.1 0.425 143 7 (e) 2.589 998 (c) 0.404 687 3 (c) 4 046.873 (c) 0.836 127 4 *0.092 903 04 *6.451 6 *645.16 506.707 5
in2 in
2
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To Metric Units m
3 3 3 3
Multiply by 1 233.489 (c) 0.764 554 9 0.158 987 3 0.028 316 85 28.316 85
m m
m L
board foot bushel peck gallon (liq) quart (liq) pint (liq) fl oz in
3
m L L L L L
0.002 359 737 35.239 07 8.809 768 3.785 412 0.946 352 9 0.473 176 5 29.573.53 16.387 06 236.588 2 1.0 (f) 14.786 76 1.0 (f) 4.928 922 1.0 (f) *1.0 (same unit, different symbol) *1.0 (same unit) *1.0 (same unit) *1.0 (same unit) *1.0 (same unit) *1.0 (b) (same unit) *1.0 (b) (same unit) 1.609 347 *0.304 8 *0.304 8
3
mL cm
cup cup tablespoon tablespoon teaspoon teaspoon time yr (year) d (day) h min s angular velocity velocity rad/s kn (knot) mi/h ft/s acceleration ft/s
2
mL metric cup mL metric tablespoon mL metric teaspoon a (year) d (day) h min s rad/s kn (knot) km/h m/s m/s
2
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Mechanics
mass (weight) ton (long) ton (short) slug lb (avdp) oz (troy) oz (avdp) grain moment of mass density lbft ton (short)/yd lb/ft concentration (mass) momentum
3 3
1.016 047 (g) *0.9007 184 74 (g) 14.593 90 (g) *0.453 592 37 (g) 31.103 48 (g) 28. 349 52 (g) *64.798 91 (g) 0.138 255 0 1.186 553 16.018 46 119.826 4 7.489 152 0.138 255 0 0.042 140 11 0.042 140 11 4.448 222 4.448 222 0.138 255 0 1.355 818 0.112 984 8 *101.325 *100.00 6.894 757
lbfft lbfin
pressure
kPa
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To Metric Units kPa kPa kPa kPa kPa MPa MPa kPa kPa GPa cm cm cm
4 3 6
Multiply by 3.386 38 2.988 98 0.248 84 0.133 322 *0.1 6.894 757 0.006 894 757 6.894 757 0.047 880 26 0.006 894 757 41.623 14 16.387 06 268.535 9 *1.0 *1.0 14.593 90 *3.6 *4.184 (h) 1.055 056 (i) 1.355 818 105.480 4 3.516 800 1.055 056 (i) 0.745 699 9 *0.746 0.293 071 1 (i)
in
cP (centipoise) cSt (centistokes) lbf/ft kWh calth Btu ftlbf therm (U.S.)
mPas mm /s N/m MJ J kJ J MJ kW kW kW kW W
2
power
Heat
thermodynamic temperature temperature interval Celsius temperature temperature interval linear expansion coefficient F F F F F-1 K K C C K-1 or C-1 *Tk = (tF + 459.67)/1.8 *1/1.8 (j) *tC = (tF - 32)/1.8 * 1/1l8 (j) *1.8
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ENGLISH-METRIC USAGE
Multiply by * 3.6 * 4.184 (h) 1.055 056 (i) 1.355 818 105.480 4 1.055 056 (i) 0.293 071 1 (i) 0.144 227 9 (i) (j) 5.678 263 9 (i) (j) 1.899 108 (8) (j) *4.186 8 (i) 1.899 108 (i) *4.186 8 (i) *2.326 (i)
Electricity and Magnetism (any suitable prefix depending upon the magnitude of the quantity)
electric current electric charge electric potential, potential difference, electromotive force capacitance magnetic field strength magnetic flux density magnetic flux inductance electric resistance conductance resistivity conductivity A Ah V A C V *1.0 (same unit) *3600.0 *1.0 (same unit)
F oersted gauss maxwell H mho ohm circular mil per foot mho/cm
*1.0 (same unit) 79.577 47 *100.0 *10.0 *1.0 (same unit) *1.0 (same unit) *1.0 1.662 426 * 100.00
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*0.1 *1.0 (same unit) *1.0 (same unit) *1.0 (same unit) *1.0 (same unit) *1.0 (same unit) *1.0 (same unit) 0.318 309 9 10.763 91 10.763 91
fc (footcandle)
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ENGLISH-METRIC USAGE
(b)
(c)
(d) (e)
(f)
The listed equivalences between metric and inch-pound kitchen measures are based on a metric cup of 250 mL, a metric tablespoon of 15 mL, and a metric teaspoon of 5 mL. In common parlance, the word weight is often used to mean mass. The unit cal should not be confused with kcal. The unit kcal is often called Calorie, with a capital C as its symbol, especially in nutrition. The unit calth (thermochemical) is equal to exactly 4.184 J. Unless otherwise indicated, all Btu units in the table are Btu IT (International Table) adopted by the Fifth International Conference on the Properties of Steam, London, 1956. In these expressions, C indicates temperature intervals. Therefore, C may be replaced by K if desired without changing the value or affecting the conversion factor. For example, in thermal conductivity, 1 W/(mC) = 1 W/(mK).
(g) (h)
(i)
(j)
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ENGLISH-METRIC USAGE
109
ENGLISH-METRIC USAGE
110