Metric and Imperial equivalents
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Almost all countries in the world use the metric system, officially known as the International System of Units (French: Système International, or SI). Before the introduction of the metric system, there was no worldwide standard in units of measurement — every geographic region or country used their own system. Some of these historic systems of units are still in use, for example variations of the old English system (or its descendants U.S. customary and the imperial system) of weights and measures survive in various forms in the United States, United Kingdom, Bahamas, Ireland, Canada, Liberia and Hong Kong, while Myanmar still ploughs its own furrow. In all these countries except for the U.S., the metric system is widely understood. In the U.S., you'll find the metric system only used in scientific, military, and most medical contexts, while in the UK and Canada, usage is more mixed. In scientific usage, the metric system is used exclusively worldwide.
Understand, where metric units are virtually unknown to the average person in the street, and would likely only be understood if you are lucky enough to meet a doctor or a scientist.
Metric unitsUnlike the imperial or customary systems of units, most metric units have two parts: the unit name and a prefix.
DrivingOutside the United States, the United Kingdom, Belize and many small territories that are within the Anglo-American sphere of influence, most measurements related to driving are in metric units.
Weather and climateTemperature is among the most relevant of quantities for travellers.S, from one of the few other countries to use Fahrenheit, or traveling to one of them.g. weather), you can approximate with very simple math.
MiscellaneousIf you prefer not to do any maths at all, there are websites and apps that may be of use.g. temperature, wind speeds) in metric or imperial units.
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Metric and Imperial equivalents" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons