Maths (/maths/) > 

Math Article (/maths/articles/) >  Conversion Of Units (/maths/conversion-of-units/)

Type your search

CBSE Sample Papers

(https://byjus.com/byjus-classes-book-a-free-60-minutes-class/registration/? CBSE Sample Papers Class 8 Maths
utm_source=website&utm_medium=maths&utm_campaign=topbar) (Https://Byjus.Com/Cbse-Sample-Papers-For-
Class-8-Maths/)
Conversion of Units CBSE Sample Papers Class 9 Maths
(Https://Byjus.Com/Cbse-Sample-Papers-For-

In Mathematics, it is required to convert the units while solving many problems. To carry out the required Class-9-Maths/)
calculations, mathematical conversions are needed. For example, to find the area of a triangle CBSE Sample Papers Class 10 Maths
(https://byjus.com/maths/area-of-a-triangle/), if a base is given in cm, and height is given in meter, and you are
(Https://Byjus.Com/Cbse-Class-10-Sample-
asked to find the area of a triangle in cm, it is necessary to convert the height in meters into centimetres. Papers-For-Maths/)
Therefore, it is required to know the conversion of units to convert a unit into the required unit.
CBSE Sample Papers Class 11 Maths
(Https://Byjus.Com/Cbse-Sample-Papers-For-
What is Conversion of Units? Class-11-Maths/)
The use of a unit depends on the situation, such as the area of a room is expressed in meters, but the length of a
CBSE Sample Papers Class 12 Maths
pencil is expressed in centimetres and its thickness in mm.
(Https://Byjus.Com/Cbse-Class-12-Maths-
Thus, we need to convert one unit to another. Before understanding the concept of conversion of units, we need
Sample-Paper/)
to understand the relationship between units.

Length and Mass conversion

Mensuration is an ancient concept. Every physical quantity, like length, mass, time, temperature etc., have a
specific unit. By definition, a unit is a magnitude of a physical quantity. CBSE Previous Year Question Papers
There are two systems of units: CBSE Previous Year Question Papers Class 12
Maths (Https://Byjus.Com/Cbse-Study-
Material/Last-Year-Question-Paper-Cbse-Class-
12-Maths/)

CBSE Previous Year Question Papers Class 10

Maths (Https://Byjus.Com/Cbse-Study-
Material/Class-10-Maths-Previous-Year-
Papers/)
1. SI units (International System of Units)
2. Metric system

For example, the SI unit of length is a metre (m), while metric units are kilometre (km), meter (m), decimetre
(dm), centimetre (cm) and millimetre (mm).

SI unit of mass is Kilograms (kg). ICSE Sample Papers

ICSE Sample Papers Class 8 Maths
Importance of Mathematical Conversions (Https://Byjus.Com/Icse-Sample-Papers-For-
Class-8-Maths/)
In order to have accuracy and avoid confusion in measurement, we need to convert one unit to another. For
instance, we do not measure the length of a pencil in kilometres. In such a case, one has to convert kilometre
ICSE Sample Papers Class 9 Maths
(km) to centimetre (cm). Generally, the conversion of one unit to another unit of the same quantity is performed
(Https://Byjus.Com/Icse-Sample-Paper-For-
using multiplicative conversion factors. Let’s see how to convert a different unit of length and mass.
Class-9-Maths/)

Table for Length Conversion ICSE Sample Papers Class 10 Maths

(Https://Byjus.Com/Icse-Class-10-Maths-
The conversion of units related to length can be represented as: Sample-Papers/)

ISC Sample Papers Class 11 Maths

(Https://Byjus.Com/Isc-Sample-Paper-Class-11-
Maths/)

ISC Sample Papers Class 12 Maths

(Https://Byjus.Com/Isc-Sample-Papers-For-
Class-12-Maths/)

The length conversion is given in the figure above. The relation between the adjacent unit varies by the multiple
of 10 (moving left to the right) and vice-versa (i.e. moving right to the left). ICSE Previous Year Question Papers
The table for conversion of length is: ICSE Previous Year Question Papers Class 10
(Https://Byjus.Com/Icse-Class-10-Maths-
Unit conversion for Length Previous-Year-Question-Papers/)

1 millimeter 0.001 meter ISC Previous Year Question Papers Class 12

Maths (Https://Byjus.Com/Isc-Class-12-Maths-
1 centimeter 0.01 meter Previous-Year-Question-Papers/)

1 decimeter 0.1 meter

1 decameter 10 meters

1 hectometer 100 meters

1 kilometer 1000 meters

1 inch 2.54 × 10−2 meters

1 foot 0.3048 meters

1 mile 1.609344 km

Example: Convert 2 mm to dam.

Solution: Given 2 mm length.
From the length conversion table, we see dam is 4th position left to mm.
Thus, dividing the given length by 104.
⇒ 2 mm = 2/104 dam (https://students.byjus.com/oauth/authorize?
redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fround-lake.dustinice.workers.dev%3A443%2Fhttps%2Flearn.byjus.com%2Fcallback%3Freferrer%3Dmx_Source_of_Lead%253DByjusWeb%2526mx_Campaign_Type%253D_UTM_
⇒ 2 mm = 0.0002 dam

Table for Mass Conversion

The conversion of mass or weight can be done as shown in the below figure.
Join BYJU'S Learning Program

Name

Mobile Number

City

Grade/Exam
The below table helps to understand the convection of units for mass.

Email Address
Unit conversion for Mass

1 milligram 0.001 gram Submit

1 centigram 0.01 gram

1 decigram 0.1 gram

1 decagram 10 gram

1 hectogram 100 gram

1 kilogram 1000 grams

Unit Conversion Table

Let’s have a look at some basic unit conversion of mass and length.

Units of Length Units of Mass

1 km = 10 hm 1 kg = 10 hg

= 100 dam = 100 dag

= 1000 m = 1000 g

1m = 10 dm 1 g = 10 dg

= 100 cm = 100 cg

= 1000 mm = 1000 mg

1 dm = 10 cm 1 dg = 10 cg

= 100 mm = 100 mg

1 cm = 10 mm 1 cg = 10 mg

From the table above, we have seen values of units of length are not the same, i.e. 1 km ≠ 1m. When 1 km is
equal to 1000 m, we need 1000 meters to make up one kilometre. This makes a kilometre a bigger unit than a
meter. This is same for 1 kg = 1000g. Conversion of units can be done in a few steps.

In mathematics, we also come across time-related problems, for example, simple and compound interest, speed
and distance, work, etc.

The below table shows the conversion of units for time.

(/byjus-classes-book-a-free-60-minutes-class/registration/?utm_campaign=desktop-fixed-button-book-class&utm_source=website)
BOOK
Free Class
Conversion of Units for Time
 1 minute 60 seconds

1 hour 60 minutes (or) 3600 seconds

1 day 24 hours

1 week 7 days

1 year 365 days

In geometry, we deal with many problems of finding the area and perimeter of shapes. In such cases, one may
need to convert the units of measure of area. The below table helps in such types of conversions.

Conversion of Units for Area

1 sq. inch 6.4516 x 10-4 square meter

1 sq. foot 9.2903 x 10-2 square meter

1 acre 4.0468 x 103 square meter

1 hectare 1 x 104 square meter

1 sq. mile 2.5888 x 106 square meter

Points to remember:

To convert bigger units to a smaller unit multiply.

To convert a smaller unit to a bigger unit divide.

Conversion of Units Solved Examples

Example 1: Convert 2 cm to km.
Step 1: Draw a line or box as shown below,

km hm dam m dm cm mm

Step 2: Put 1 at the larger unit to be converted.

Here we want to convert cm to km,
Since km is the larger unit, thus put 1 under the corresponding column (km).

km hm dam m dm cm mm
1            

Step 3: Now put 0 till the smaller unit.

Here we want to convert cm to km, put 0 till the corresponding smaller unit.

km hm dam m dm cm mm
1 0 0 0 0 0  

We see the conversion is from a smaller to a larger unit. Thus, we need to divide the given length by
100000 (i.e. 105).
2cm = 2/105 km
⇒2cm = 0.00002 km
Example 2: Convert 5 grams to milligrams.
Solution: We have to convert 5 grams to milligrams.
We know, 1 g = 1000 mg
Thus, 5 g = 5 × 1000 = 5000 mg

To solve more problems on the topic, download BYJU’S – The Learning App and watch interactive videos. Also,
take free tests to practice for exams.

Quiz on Conversion of Units

Put your understanding of this concept to

test by answering a few MCQs. Click
‘Start Quiz’ to begin!

Select the correct answer and click on the “Finish” button

Check your score and answers at the end of the quiz

Start Quiz

MATHS Related Links

3d Mathematical Shapes Integration Formulas With Examples

(https://byjus.com/maths/three-dimensional- (https://byjus.com/maths/integration-formulas-
shapes/) proofs/)

Surface Area Of A Sphere Formula Trigonometry Tricks

(https://byjus.com/maths/surface-area-of-a- (https://byjus.com/maths/trigonometry-formula-for-
sphere/) class-10/)

Types Of Quadrilateral Even Number (https://byjus.com/maths/even-

(https://byjus.com/maths/types-of-quadrilaterals/) numbers/)

Volume Of Hollow Sphere Reflection Symmetry

(https://byjus.com/maths/area-of-hemisphere/) (https://byjus.com/maths/reflection-symmetry/)

Right Angle Definition Linear Equation (https://byjus.com/maths/linear-

(https://byjus.com/maths/right-angle-triangle/) equations/)

Leave a Comment
Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *
*

Mobile Number Send OTP

Please don't use any HTML or external links in the comment box.

Post Comment

COURSES EXAMS EXAM PREPARATION COMPANY FREE TEXTBOOK STATE BOARDS

SOLUTIONS
CBSE (/cbse/) CAT Exam Free CAT Prep (/free-cat- About Us (/about-us/) (/textbook-solutions/) Maharashtra
(/cat/exam-info/) prep/) NCERT Solutions (/ncert- (/msbshse/)
ICSE (/icse/) Contact Us (/contact-
solutions/)
GATE Exam Free IAS Prep (/free-ias- us/) Gujarat (/gseb/)
CAT (/cat/)
(/gate/gate-exam/) prep/) NCERT Exemplar (/ncert-
Investors (/our- Tamil Nadu (/tn-
IAS (/ias/) exemplar/)
IAS Exam (/ias- Maths (/maths/) investors/) board/)
JEE (/jee/) exam/) NCERT Solutions for Class 6
Physics (/physics/) Careers (/careers-at- Karnataka
(/ncert-solutions-class-6/)
NEET (/neet/) UPSC Exam (/free- byjus/) (/kseeb/)
Chemistry (/chemistry/)
ias-prep/upsc-exam/) NCERT Solutions for Class 7
Commerce BYJU'S in Media Kerala (/kbpe/)
Biology (/biology/) (/ncert-solutions-class-7/)
(/commerce/) UPSC Syllabus (/press/)
Andhra Pradesh
(/ias/upsc-syllabus/) NCERT Solutions for Class 8
JEE Main (/jee/jee- Social Initiative - (/ap-board/)
RESOURCES (/ncert-solutions-class-8/)
main/) UPSC 2022 (/free-ias- Education for All
Telangana
prep/upsc-2022/) (/educationforall/) NCERT Solutions for Class 9
NCERT (/ncert/) BYJU'S Answer (/telangana-board/)
(/ncert-solutions-class-9/)
Bank Exam (/bank- (/question-answer/) BYJU'S APP (/byjus-
JEE Advanced (/jee- Uttar Pradesh
exam/) the-learning-app/) NCERT Solutions for Class 10
advanced/) DSSL (/about-dssl/) (/upmsp/)
(/ncert-solutions-class-10/)
Government Exams FAQ (/faq/)
IAS Coaching (/ias- Home Tuition (/home- Bihar (/bihar-
(/govt-exams/) NCERT Solutions for Class 11
coaching/) tuition/) Support (/support- board/)
(/ncert-solutions-class-11/)
center/)
CBSE Sample Papers CLASSES All Products Rajasthan
NCERT Solutions for Class 11
(/cbse/cbse-sample- (https://shop.byjus.com) Blog (/rajasthan-board/)
English (/ncert-solutions-class-
papers/) (https://blog.byjus.com/)
Kids Learning (/kids- Calculators 11-english/) Madhya Pradesh
CBSE Question Papers learning/) (/calculators/) Students Stories - The (/mp-board/)
NCERT Solutions for Class 12
(/cbse-study- Learning Tree
Class 1st - 3rd Formulas (/formulas/)
English (/ncert-solutions-class- West Bengal
material/cbse-previous- (https://blog.byjus.com/the-
(/disney-byjus-early- 12-english/) (/west-bengal-
year-question-paper/) learning-tree/)
learn/) board/)
NCERT Solutions for Class 12
Faces of BYJU'S – Life
Class 4th - 5th (/class- (/ncert-solutions-class-12/)
at BYJU'S
4-5/)
(https://blog.byjus.com/life- RD Sharma Solutions (/rd-
Class 6th - 10th at-byjus/) sharma-solutions/)
(/byjus-classes-book-a-free-60-minutes-class/registration/?utm_campaign=desktop-fixed-button-book-class&utm_source=website)
BOOK (/class-6-10/)
RD Sharma Class 10 Solutions
Free Class FOLLOW US
Class 11th - 12th (/rd-sharma-class-10-solutions/)
(/class-11-12/)
 RS Aggarwal Solutions (/rs-
aggarwal-maths-solutions/)
(https://www.facebook.com/byjuslearningapp/)
ICSE Selina Solutions
(/icse/selina-solutions/)
(https://in.linkedin.com/company/byjus)

(https://www.kidsafeseal.com/certifiedproducts/byjus_india.html)

Disclaimer (/disclaimer/)

Privacy Policy (/tnc_app/#privacydesc)

Terms of Services (/tnc_app/#tncdesc)

Sitemap (/sitemap.xml)

© 2022, BYJU'S. All rights reserved.

(/byjus-classes-book-a-free-60-minutes-class/registration/?utm_campaign=desktop-fixed-button-book-class&utm_source=website)
BOOK
Free Class