How do you convert imperial units to metric units or other imperial units?

Use the conversion rate that you're given and multiply/divide your number by the conversion rate.

What are imperial units?

Imperial units are a lesser used set of units of measure.

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Chapter overview

Learning goals

Maths

Imperial units

Your lesson progress

Summary

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Imperial units

In a nutshell

The imperial unit system is another set of units that are not used as much nowadays, but are still seen in specific circumstances.

Imperial units

Here is a table of imperial units:

Measurement	Units
Length	Inches, feet, yards, miles
Area	Square inches, square feet, square miles
Volume	Cubic inches, cubic feet, gallons, pints
Mass	Ounces, pounds, stones, tons
Speed	Miles per hour (mph)

Note: Tons and tonnes are two different units of measure!

Converting between units

While there is no need to memorise any conversions related to imperial measurements, it is still important to be familiar with them when converting from either one imperial unit to another, or an imperial unit to a metric unit.

Example 1

A bird weighs $3$ pounds. Given that $1$ pound $=16$ ounces, how much does the bird weigh in ounces?

The conversion rate is given:

$1$ pound $=16$ ounces

Multiply both sides by $3$ to find what $3$ pounds is equivalent to:

$3$ pounds $=16\times3$ ounces

$3$ pounds $=48$ ounces

The bird weighs $\underline{48 \ \text{ounces}}$ .

Example 2

Give an approximate conversion of $30$ pints to gallons to $1$ decimal place, given that $1$ litre $\approx1.75$ pints, and $1$ gallon $\approx4.5$ litres.

First, convert the $30$ pints to litres:

$1$ litre $\approx 1.75$ pints

$1$ pint $\approx \frac{1}{1.75}$ litres

$30$ pints $\approx (\frac{1}{1.75}\times30)$ litres

$30$ pints $\approx17.14$ litres

Then, convert the $17.14$ litres to gallons:

$1$ gallon $\approx4.5$ litres

$1$ litre $\approx \frac{1}{4.5}$ gallons

$17.14$ litres $\approx (\frac{1}{4.5}\times17.14)$ gallons

$17.14$ litres $\approx3.8095....$ gallons

$\underline{30 \ \text{pints} \approx3.8 \ \text{gallons} \ (1.d.p)}$

Imperial units

In a nutshell

The imperial unit system is another set of units that are not used as much nowadays, but are still seen in specific circumstances.

Imperial units

Here is a table of imperial units:

Measurement	Units
Length	Inches, feet, yards, miles
Area	Square inches, square feet, square miles
Volume	Cubic inches, cubic feet, gallons, pints
Mass	Ounces, pounds, stones, tons
Speed	Miles per hour (mph)

Note: Tons and tonnes are two different units of measure!

Converting between units

Example 1

A bird weighs $3$ pounds. Given that $1$ pound $=16$ ounces, how much does the bird weigh in ounces?

The conversion rate is given:

$1$ pound $=16$ ounces

Multiply both sides by $3$ to find what $3$ pounds is equivalent to:

$3$ pounds $=16\times3$ ounces

$3$ pounds $=48$ ounces

The bird weighs $\underline{48 \ \text{ounces}}$ .

Example 2

Give an approximate conversion of $30$ pints to gallons to $1$ decimal place, given that $1$ litre $\approx1.75$ pints, and $1$ gallon $\approx4.5$ litres.

First, convert the $30$ pints to litres:

$1$ litre $\approx 1.75$ pints

$1$ pint $\approx \frac{1}{1.75}$ litres

$30$ pints $\approx (\frac{1}{1.75}\times30)$ litres

$30$ pints $\approx17.14$ litres

Then, convert the $17.14$ litres to gallons:

$1$ gallon $\approx4.5$ litres

$1$ litre $\approx \frac{1}{4.5}$ gallons

$17.14$ litres $\approx (\frac{1}{4.5}\times17.14)$ gallons

$17.14$ litres $\approx3.8095....$ gallons

$\underline{30 \ \text{pints} \approx3.8 \ \text{gallons} \ (1.d.p)}$

Want to find out more? Check out these other lessons!

Converting between metric and imperial units

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FAQs

Question: How do you convert imperial units to metric units or other imperial units?

Answer: Use the conversion rate that you're given and multiply/divide your number by the conversion rate.
Question: What are imperial units?

Answer: Imperial units are a lesser used set of units of measure.

Theory

Exercises

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Imperial units

Imperial units

In a nutshell

Imperial units

Measurement

Units

Converting between units

Example 1

Example 2

Imperial units

In a nutshell

Imperial units

Measurement

Units

Converting between units

Example 1

Example 2

Want to find out more? Check out these other lessons!

Now you’ve read the summary, have a go at the exercises!