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 |
