Compare and convert metric units of length

  • The metric system uses units like millimeters (mm), centimeters (cm), meters (m), and kilometers (km) to measure length.
  • Each unit is 10 times larger or smaller than the next, which makes converting between them easy.
  • 1 meter (m) = 100 centimeters (cm)
  • 1 centimeter (cm) = 10 millimeters (mm)
  • 1 kilometer (km) = 1000 meters (m)
  • To go from a smaller unit to a larger unit, divide by 10, 100, or 1000.
  • To go from a larger unit to a smaller unit, multiply by 10, 100, or 1000.
  • The larger the unit, the fewer numbers you need to represent the same length. For example, 100 cm is equal to 1 meter.
  • Use the appropriate unit depending on the length. For small lengths, millimeters or centimeters are best. For larger distances, use meters or kilometers.
  • 1500 millimeters (mm) = 150 centimeters (cm) = 1.5 meters (m).
  • 2.5 kilometers (km) = 2500 meters (m).

Learn with an example

  • 1 kilometre
  • 1,049 metres
  • neither; they are equal

1 kilometre is the same as 1,000 metres. 1,049 metres is more than 1,000 metres.

1,049 metres is more than 1 kilometre.


______ metres = 1,000 millimetres

1 metre = 1,000 millimetres


_______ kilometres = 1,000 metres

1 kilometre = 1,000 metres

let’s practice!