Metric vs. Imperial: understanding the two measurement systems
A side-by-side comparison of metric and imperial units for weight, volume, temperature, speed, length, and global use.
metric system
measurement
metric system, international decimal system of weights and measures, based on the metre for length and the kilogram for mass, that was adopted in France in 1795 and is now used officially in almost all countries. The French Revolution of 1789 provided an opportunity to pursue the frequently discussed idea of replacing the confusing welter of thousands of traditional units of measure with a rational system based on multiples of 10. In 1791 the French...