In nutrition, there are two systems of commonly used measurements: Metric and US Customary. We need both because the US won’t adopt the metric system completely.
The Metric and US Customary System
These are commonly used prefixes for the Metric System:
| Micro- (μ) |
1/1,000,000th (one millionth) |
| Milli- (m) |
1/1000th (one thousandth) |
| Centi- (c) |
1/100th (one hundredth) |
| Deci- (d) |
1/10th (one tenth) |
| Kilo- (k) |
1000x (one thousand times) |
Mass
| Metric System |
US Customary System |
Conversions |
| Microgram (μg) |
Ounce (oz) |
1 oz = 28.35 g |
| Milligram (mg) |
Pound (lb) |
1 lb = 16 oz |
| Gram (g) |
|
1 lb = 454 g |
| Kilogram (kg) |
|
1 kg = 2.2 lbs |
Volume
| Metric System |
US Customary System |
Conversions |
| Milliliter (mL) |
Teaspoon (tsp) |
1 tsp = 5 mL |
| Deciliter (dL) |
Tablespoon (tbsp) |
1 tbsp = 3 tsp = 15 mL |
| Liter (L) |
Fluid ounce (fl oz) |
1 fl oz = 2 tbsp = 30 mL |
|
Cup (c) |
1 c = 8 fl oz = 237 mL |
|
Pint (pt) |
1 pt = 2 c = 16 fl oz |
|
Quart (qt) |
1 qt = 4 c = 32 fl oz = 0.95 L |
|
Gallon (gal) = 4 qt |
1 gal = 4 qt |
Length
| Metric System |
US Customary System |
Conversions |
| Millimeter (mm) |
Inch (in) |
1 in = 25.4 mm |
| Centimeter (cm) |
Foot (ft) |
1 ft= 30.5 cm |
| Meter (m) |
Yard (yd) |
1 yd = 0.9 m |
| Kilometer (km) |
Mile (mi) |
1 mi = 1.6 km |