Metric System Chart for Kids

One of the international standards used for conversion is the metric system. It is a decimal system of measurement, that was first adopted by France in the year 1791. This system is easier to understand as compared to the English system of measurement, once you know the basics of this system. This system of measuring units is common in most parts of the world. There are different variations, which are used in different countries, however the difference is the base units, which does not make a difference in daily usage of the units. It is the International System of Units, which has been internationally recognized as standard metric system. The metric system chart, is accepted the world over for personal as well as commercial use. In this write-up, we will see the metric system chart for kids, which will make it easy for the kids to understand the chart better. Along with the chart, it is important that the kids are also taught the metric system prefixes, so that it becomes easier for them to grasp the entire chart.

Metric System Chart

There is one point, which distinguishes the metric system from other measurement systems. It is the single unit used to describe every physical quantity, therefore, the need to convert from one physical quantity to another does not arise. It is due to this fact, that the metric system for kids become easier for the kids to memorize as well understand. An example, will help in better understanding of the system.

1.234 meters	=	1234 millimeters
1.234 meters	=	0.001234 kilometers

The prefixes used in the system are in the powers of ten, that are used for deriving larger as well as smaller units from the base units. It is important to note that as a normal practice, fractions are not used in the system, because it is more easy and convenient to convert using different multiples in powers of ten rather than using fractions. That we are still at it, make a note that decimals are not used, when one talks about time in the metric system. To avoid decimals, multiples and sub-multiples of seconds are used. For example, nano-second, mega-seconds, etc. There are three basic units, which are a part of metric system conversion, they are gram, meter and liter. Meter is used for measuring length, while gram is used to measure weight and for capacity liter is the unit of measure. These basic units of measure are the only ones, where no prefixes are used. Instead of converting them into another unit, prefixes are appended to the measurement. The prefixes used from the highest to the lowest are:

• Kilo-
• Hecto-
• Deca-
• Gram / Meter / Liter
• Deci-
• Centi-
• Milli-

The prefix either divides the unit of measure by a power of ten, or multiples the unit by a positive power of ten. An interesting fun fact in the metric system conversion table is that the prefix, which is derived from the Greek gives positive power, while the prefix derived from Latin gives negative power. However, it is important to note that after the introduction of the standard metric system conversion charts, the Greek greater than one and the Latin less than one conventions became obsolete.

Metric System Chart for Kids

We have just seen the basics of the metric measurements units and conversions. Now we will see the full metric system chart. The charts will make understanding and converting an easy task for the kids. Using this chart, you may opt to make printable chart for kids and stick it on their study table.

Metric System Chart for Length
The basic unit of measure to describe length is 'meter', which is abbreviated as 'm'. The abbreviations used for the other units are 'mm' for millimeter, 'cm' for centimeter, 'dm' for decimeter and 'km' for kilometer.

1 Millimeter	=	0.001 Meter
1 Centimeter	=	0.01 Meter
1 Decimeter	=	0.1 Meter
1 Meter
1 Decameter	=	10 Meters
1 Hectometer	=	100 Meters
1 Kilometer	=	1000 Meters

Metric System Chart for Volume
The standard unit of measurement for volume is 'liter'. Liter is abbreviated as 'l', while the other units of measurement are abbreviated as 'ml' for millimeter, 'cl' for centiliter, 'dl' for deciliter, 'kl' for kiloliter.

1 Milliliter	=	0.001 Liter
1 Centiliter	=	0.01 Liter
1 Deciliter	=	0.1 Liter
1 Liter
1 Decaliter	=	10 Liters
1 Hectoliter	=	100 Liters
1 Kiloliter	=	1000 Liters

Metric System Chart for Mass
'Gram' is the basic unit of measure used to measure mass. The abbreviation used for gram is 'g' and the abbreviations used for the other units are milligram = mg; centigram = cg; decigram = dg; kilogram = kg. Given below is the table for conversion of mass:

1 Milligram	=	0.001 Gram
1 Centigram	=	0.01 Gram
1 Decigram	=	0.1 Gram
1 Gram
1 Decagram	=	10 Grams
1 Hectogram	=	100 Grams
1 Kilogram	=	1000 Grams

Along with the metric system chart, the kids will also have to be taught how to multiply and divide the units of measures. Using base ten blocks is often the recommended practice. When they understand the concept of multiplying and dividing the units of measures, they will be able to convert easily and with accuracy.