Appendix 1: Common Units of Measure
In nutrition there are two systems of commonly used measurements: Metric and US Customary. We need both because the US hasn’t yet adopted the metric system completely.
These are commonly used prefixes for the Metric System
Micro- (u or mc) |
1/1,000,000 (one millionth) |
Milli- (m) |
1/1000 (one thousandth) |
Centi- (c) |
1/100 (one hundredth) |
Deci- (d) |
1/10 (one tenth) |
Kilo- (k) |
1000x (one thousand times) |
Measures of Mass
Metric System |
US Customary System |
Conversions |
Microgram (ug or mcg) |
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 = 2.205 lbs |
Measures of Volume
Metric System |
US Customary System |
Conversions |
Milliliter (mL) |
Teaspoon (t. or tsp) |
1 tsp = 5 mL |
Deciliter (dL) |
Tablespoon (T. or tbsp) |
1 T. = 3 tsp = 15 mL |
Liter (L) |
Fluid ounce (fl oz) |
1 fl oz = 2 T. = 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) |
1 gal = 4 qt |
Measures of Length
Metric System |
US Customary System |
Conversions |
Millimeter (mm) |
Inch (in) |
1 in = 25.4 mm = 2.54 cm |
Centimeter (cm) |
Foot (ft) |
1 ft = 12 in = 30.48 cm |
Meter (m) |
Yard (yd) |
1 yd = 3 ft = .9144 m |
Kilometer (km) |
Mile (mi) |
1 mile = 5280 ft = 1760 yd = 1.6 km |