The unit of length measurement in the metric system is the meter, which
is supposed to be one ten-millionth part of the earth’s meridian
quadrant, or 39.370 inches.
The unit of surface is the are, or 100 square meters. The unit of volume
is the stere, which is a cubic meter. The unit of volume is the liter,
or the volume of 1 kilogram of distilled water at its maximum density,
or the equivalent, one cubic decimeter.
Prefixes to the words meter, are, stere, and liter, etc., indicate
multiples or fractions thereof, thus:
1 myriameter 5.4 nautical miles, or 6.21 statute miles.
1 kilometer 0.621 statute mile.
1 hectometer 109.4 yards.
1 decameter 0.497 chain, or 1,988 rods.
1 meter 39.37 inches, or nearly 3 feet, 3⅜ inches.
1 decimeter 3.937 inches.
1 centimeter 0.3937 inch.
1 millimeter 0.03937 inch.
1 micron ¹⁄₂₅₄₀₀ inch.
1 hectare 2.471 acres.
1 are 119.6 square yards.
1 centiara 10.764 square feet.
1 decastere 13 cubic yards.
1 stere 1.307 cubic yards.
1 decistere 3½ cubic feet.
1 kiloliter 1 ton, 14 gallons, 2 pints, 2 gills, old wine measure.
1 hectoliter 26.4 gallons.
1 decaliter 2 gallons, 2 quarts, 1 pint, ½ gill.
1 liter 1 quart, ½ gill.
1 deciliter 0.845 gill.
1 millier 1 ton avoirdupois less 35 pounds.
1 metric quintal 2 hundredweight less 3½ pounds, or 220 pounds 7 ounces.
1 kilogram 2 pounds, 3 ounces, 4⅜ drams avoirdupois.
1 decagram 154.32 grains troy.
1 gram 15.43234874 grains.
1 decigram 154.32 grains.
1 centigram 0.15432 grain.
1 milligram 0.015432 grain.