| Convert These Common Measurement Types | |
|---|---|
| Select Measurand |
|
Click save settings to reload page with unique web page address for bookmarking and sharing the current tool settings
Related Tools
- Length units converter
- Mass units converter
- Temperature units converter
- Time period units converter
- Area units converter
- Volume units converter
- Pressure units converter
- Speed units converter
User Guide
Use this tool to choose from 8 common measurands that we use everyday, and convert measurements to different units for length, mass, temperature, time period, area, volume, pressure and speed.
Choose the measurand you want to convert by clicking on the appropriate button at the top, enter the value you wish to convert in the first box, and select the units you want to convert from and to, the converted value will then appear in the lower box with a red outline.
Pro Tip: Save your frequently used unit conversions for easy access. Select the desired measurands and units, and click “Save Settings” to create a unique URL link. Bookmark this link to quickly access your saved converters.
The eight most often used measurands types used by people in everyday life are:
- Length – How long is something? (feet/meters)
- Mass – How heavy is something? (pounds/kilograms)
- Temperature – How hot or cold is something? (degrees Celsius/degrees Fahrenheit)
- Time – How long does something take? (seconds/hours)
- Area – How much space does something take up on a flat surface? (square feet/square meters)
- Volume – How much space does something take up in three dimensions? (cubic feet/cubic meters)
- Pressure – How much force is pushing on something per unit area? (pounds per square inch/pascals)
- Speed – How fast is something moving? (miles per hour/kilometers per hour)
Length
This is a fundamental measurand that quantifies the distance between two points. It is essential for measuring objects, navigating our surroundings, and constructing physical structures.
Common units of length include inches (in, “), feet (ft, ‘), miles (mi), millimeters (mm), centimeters (cm), meters (m), and kilometres (km), each representing a different scale of spatial measurement.
- Navigation – Using a map or GPS to measure distances between locations.
- Construction – Measuring the length of materials needed for building projects.
- Sports – Measuring the length of football fields, basketball courts, and other playing surfaces.
- Measuring ingredients in cooking – Using measuring cups and spoons to determine the correct amount of flour, sugar, and other ingredients.
Mass
Another crucial measurand, mass measures the amount of matter contained within an object. It determines the object’s inertia and resistance to acceleration. Mass is important for various tasks, from determining the weight of ingredients in cooking to assessing the carrying capacity of vehicles.
Common units of mass include grams (g), ounces (oz), pounds (lb), and kilograms (kg), reflecting the varying quantities of matter encountered in our daily lives.
- Cooking – Weighing ingredients to ensure accurate measurements and consistent results.
- Shopping – Weighing produce to determine the cost per pound or kilogram.
- Measuring the weight of packages – Using a scale to ensure that packages meet shipping weight requirements.
- Tracking weight loss or gain – Using a scale to monitor changes in body weight.
Temperature
A measurand that depicts the average kinetic energy of the particles within a substance. It indicates whether an object is hot or cold. Temperature plays a vital role in regulating body temperature, ensuring the proper functioning of biological processes, and optimizing cooking methods.
Common units of temperature include degrees Celsius (°C), degrees Fahrenheit (°F), and the Kelvin scale (K), each representing a different scale of thermal energy.
- Cooking – Using a thermometer to ensure that food is cooked to the proper temperature to prevent foodborne illness.
- Weather forecasting – Monitoring temperature changes to predict the weather.
- Medical applications – Using thermometers to measure body temperature and diagnose fevers.
- Industrial applications – Monitoring temperature to ensure the safety of industrial processes.
Time
Another fundamental measurand, quantifies the duration of events and processes. It is essential for tracking progress, planning activities, and understanding the evolution of phenomena. Common units of time include seconds (s), minutes (min), hours (h), days (d), weeks (wk), months (mo), and years (yr), each representing a sequential progression of temporal intervals.
- Scheduling appointments – Using a calendar or planner to manage time effectively.
- Time management – Using timers or stopwatches to track the amount of time spent on tasks.
- Tracking progress – Using clocks or watches to measure the time spent on projects.
- Sports – Using stopwatches to record lap and race times, or to keep track of how much time is left in a game or match.
Area
A measurand of two-dimensional surfaces, quantifies the extent of a flat surface. It is important for measuring landmasses, building materials, and various physical entities. Common units of area include square inches (in²), square feet (ft²), square millimeters (mm²), square centimeters (cm²), and square meters (m²), each representing a specific scale of surface coverage.
- Land measurement – Measuring the area of land for property or tax purposes.
- Construction – Calculating the amount of flooring or roofing material needed for a project.
- Interior design – Selecting furniture based on the available space.
- Gardening – Measuring the area of a garden for planting and irrigation purposes.
Volume
This is the measurement of the three-dimensional occupancy of an object. It determines the capacity of containers, the size of rooms, and the amount of liquids or solids contained within them. Common units of volume include cubic inches (in³), cubic feet (ft³), cubic millimeters (mm³), cubic centimeters (cc, cm³), and cubic meters (m³), each reflecting a specific scale of spatial occupancy.
- Cooking – Measuring the volume of liquids or solids to ensure that recipes are prepared correctly.
- Packaging – Measuring the volume of packages to ensure that they meet shipping requirements.
- Industrial processes – Measuring the volume of liquids or solids in tanks or reactors.
- Science experiments – Measuring the volume of solutions used in experiments.
Pressure
A measurand of force per unit area, quantifies the intensity of various phenomena, from hydraulic systems to atmospheric pressure. It is essential for understanding the behavior of fluids, assessing the strength of materials, and maintaining safe operating conditions. Common units of pressure include bar (bar), pounds per square inch (psi), and kilopascals (kPa), each representing a distinct scale of force distribution.
- Hydraulic systems – Monitoring pressure in hydraulic systems to ensure safe operation.
- Automobiles – Checking tire pressure to ensure safe driving conditions.
- Medical applications – Measuring blood pressure to diagnose hypertension or other health conditions.
- Industrial processes – Monitoring pressure in boilers, pipes, and other vessels to prevent leaks or explosions.
Speed
A measurand of motion, it indicates the rate at which an object travels. It is important for calculating the velocity of vehicles, determining the efficiency of transportation systems, and analyzing the movement of entities. Common units of speed include miles per hour (mph), kilometers per hour (kph), meters per second (m/s), and feet per second (ft/s), each reflecting a specific scale of movement.
- Driving – Monitoring the speed of vehicles to comply with traffic laws and avoid accidents.
- Sports – Tracking the speed of athletes to measure performance and compare records.
- Measuring the speed of projectiles – Using radar guns or other devices to measure the speed of bullets, baseballs, or other objects in motion.
- Aviation – Monitoring the speed of aircraft to ensure safe operation.