Metric Units of Measurement for Length, Mass, and Volume

millimeter

A metric unit of length equal to one thousandth of a meter, or one tenth of a centimeter. A millimeter is about the thickness of a dime. There are 25.4 of them in an inch.

Meter

A metric unit of length that is 100cm or 1000mm. A meter is about the length of the height of a wooden chair.

milliLiter

One thousandth of a liter. 15 mL is equal to one tablespoon. 1/4th of a cup is 60 mL.

Liter

Unit of measurement for volume (capacity, okay, or how much space something takes up). One Liter is 1000 mL. A 16oz soda is 473 mL, or just under half a liter.

centimeter

a metric unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter. 2.54 centimeters (approximate) fit into an inch. A paper clip's width (not length) is about 1cm.

Gram

a metric unit of weight equal to one thousandth of a kilogram. This would be an appropriate measurement for smaller objects. A paper clip weighs about one gram.

milligram

a unit of mass in the metric system that is 1/1000th of a gram. A grain of sugar or salt is approximately 1mg.

Kilogram

one thousand grams, kg. A kilogram is about the weight of a typical text book.