Units of measurement in English. Feet vs pounds

Conversion tables for feet and inches to centimeters (height) and pounds to kilograms (weight).

Hello, my dear readers! We all know the “golden rule” of an Internet shopaholic:

“Carefully study the reviews of a new brand or product before you buy it!”

How often have you seen reviews like this:

"I'm 5′ 8″ 180 and the large was huge on me, the length is above the ankles but well below the knee. I’ve always had a small waist for my size even after gaining 25lbs over the..."

« I'm a very large woman ( 5'6″ tall and 260lbs. Size 48DDD chest. I wanted a long dress that was basic and comfy vs a “moo-moo” This thing fit the bill. Of… «

“I bought one in every color! I am petite ( 5′ 2″) and I like that it comes right across the tops of my feet! Pairs perfectly with..."

What do these numbers, unusual for the Belarusian eye, mean? Just height and weight (yes, not parameters (90-60-90), as is customary here, but weight).

To measure length, Americans use feet And inches, and for measuring weight - pounds. So, the first review given as an example was written by a person with a height of 173 cm and a weight of 82 kg (5′ 8″ 180).

If you, like me, do not like to study reviews of happy and not so American customers with a calculator in hand, then here is a nice table for converting feet and inches to centimeters to help us all:

If you need a different length that does not fit in the table, you will still have to arm yourself with a calculator:

1 Foot = 30.48 cm

1 Inch = 2.54 cm

I still haven’t learned how to navigate clothing sizes based on a person’s weight. But what if you are the guru of this? Then this table for converting pounds to kilograms will help you:

1 Pound = 0.454 kg

Here is such a short, but, I hope, useful article.)))

P.S. Ask all your questions in the comments to this article - I will be happy to answer them! And don't forget SHOPOKlang so you don't miss new interesting articles!

Metric (metric tone)= 2204.6 pounds = 0.984 large tons = 1000 kg

3.2. American system of mass measures

• 1 quintal = 1 handweight = 100 pounds = 1 cental = 45.36 kg
• 1 slug = 14.6 kg
• 1 quarter = 1/4 handweight = 25 lbs = 11.34 kg
• 1 stone = 14 pounds = 6.35 kg

4. Volume measures for liquids

4.1. British Imperial System of Liquid Measures

• 1 baht (Ukrainian) end) = 108-140 gallons = 490.97-636.44 l (dm, approx. 2 hogsheads)
• 1 baht of beer = 108 gallons = 17,339 feet = 490.97 liters
• 1 pipe = 105 gallons = 2 hogsheads = 477.34 l (dm)
• 1 hogshead (large barrel, Ukrainian) boar's head ) = 52.5 imperial gallons = 238.67 l (dm)
• 1 Barrel = 31-42 gallons = 140.9-190.9 l (dm)
• 1 barrel for liquid (beer) (Barrel) = 36 imperial gallons = 163.65 l (dm)
• 1 barrel for crude oil (Barrel (US Petroleum)) = 34.97 gallons = 158.988 L (dm)
• 1 kilderkin = 1/2 barrel = 2 ferkin = 16-18 gallons = 72.7-81.8 l (dm)
• 1 Ferkin (fir; ukr. small barrel ) = 1/6 hogshead = 1/4 barrel = 1/2 kilderkin = 8-9 gallons = 36 quarts = 36.3-40.9 l (dm)
• 1 imperial gallon = 4 quarts = 8 pints = 32 Jill (Hill) = 160 fl. ounces = 4.546 l (dm)
• 1 potli = 1/2 imp. gallons = 2 quarts = 2.27 l (dm)
• 1 quart = 1/4 imp. gallons = 2 pints = 1.1365 l (dm)
• Large bottles common in Europe and the UK (see Champagne):
  • 1 Melchizedek = 40 bottles = 30 liters
  • 1 Primat = 36 bottles = 27 liters
  • 1 Solomon = 25 liters
  • 1 Melchior = 24 bottles = 18 liters
  • 1 Nebuchadnezzar (Nebuchadnezzar) = 20 bottles = 15 liters
  • 1 Balthazar = 16 bottles = 12 liters
  • 1 Salmanazar = large wine bottle = 12 bottles = 9 liters
  • 1 Methuselah = 8 bottles = 6 liters
  • 1 Rehoboam = 6 bottles = 4.5 liters
  • 1 Jeroboam (double Magnum bottle) = 4 bottles = 3 liters
  • 1 Magnum bottle = 2 bottles = 1.5 liters
• 1 bottle of milk = 1 quart = 946.36 ml
• 1 bottle of whiskey = 1 five = 757.1 ml
• 1 bottle of champagne = 2/3 quart = 630.91 ml (French champagne, 750 ml)
• 1 bottle of wine = 750 ml = 25.3605 fl oz
• 1 Bucket (Ukrainian) ladle) Unofficial unit = 5 imp. gallons = 18.927 l
• 1 fillet = 1/2 bottle of champagne = 375 ml
• 1 pint = 1/8 imp. gallon = 1/2 quart = 4 jill (branches) = 20 r.oz. = 34.678 inches = 0.568 261 l (dm)
• 1 Jill (Hill) = 1/4 pint = 5 fl. ounces = 8.670 inches = 0.142 l (dm)
• 1 breakfast cup = 1/2 pint = 10 fl. ounces = 17.339 inches = 1.2 US cups = 284 ml
• 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons = 4 fl. drachm = 1/2 fl oz = 14.2 ml
• 1 teaspoon = 1/3 tablespoon = 1 1/3 fl. drams = 4.7 ml (from another source: = 1/8 fl oz = 3.55 ml (traditional), honey and kitchen = 5 ml)
• 1 should glass, glass = 16 fl. drachm = 2 fl. ounces = 56.8 ml according to other data equal to 2.5 fl. ounces = 5 tablespoons = 1/2 jill = 71 ml
• 1 oz. fl. (fl oz)= 1/20 pint = 1/5 jill = 8 fl. drachm = 24 fl. scruples = 1.733871 inches = 28.413063 ml (cm)
• 1 fluid drachma (1878 - February 1, 1971) = 3 fluid. scruples = 1/8 r. ounces = 60 mini = 0.96 US. liquid drachms = 0.216734 inches = 3.551633 ml
• 1 rub. Scrupul of pharmacies. (1878 - February 1, 1971) = 1/3 fl. drachms = 1/24 fl. ounces = 20 mini = 19.2 US. minimi = 1.18388 ml
• 1 minimum pharmacies. (1878 - February 1, 1971) = 1/60 fl. drachm = 1/20 fl. scrupula = 0.96 amer. minimum = 0.05919 ml

4.2. American system of measures for liquids

5. Volume measures for bulk solids

5.1. British Imperial System of Measures for Dry Solids

5.2. American System of Measures for Dry Solids

6. Apothecary and troy (for precious metals and stones) measures

There are differences between apothecary and troy (for precious metals and stones) measures:

• The pharmaceutical system of weights was used in the field of pharmaceuticals, it used the pound, ounce, drachm, scruple, gran, minim;
• The coin (troy) system of weights is used by jewelers and in the mint. Basic quantities - pound, ounce, pennyweight, carat, grain; this system is also used in the manufacture of ammunition
• The values ​​of the British and American systems of measures also differ.

6.1. Pharmaceutical weights

British pharmaceutical system of weights in the 15th-20th centuries. used in the pharmaceutical field, it used the pound, ounce, drachm, scruple and grain. At the same time, the pharmaceutical values ​​of a pound, ounce, and drachm differed from the values ​​of this name for commercial use.

6.2. Coin (troy) system of weights

The system is used by jewelers and the mint. The main units are pound, ounce and pennyweight.

Despite the invention of the decimal system, which the whole world now uses, American and English measures of length are often found in everyday life. Let's take the diagonal of the TV. In equipment passports, warranty cards, the size is indicated everywhere in inches. The same applies to pipe diameters, tool sizes, bolts, nuts. In order not to look stupid in situations with unfamiliar quantities, you need to have an idea of ​​the main ones.

Length measures

Our ancestors did not have digital and magnetic instruments capable of measuring the required value. Therefore, for convenience, they used the measurements of their own body, that is, what they always have with them. These were feet, fingers, elbows, steps, palms.

• Mile as the most popular unit, is accepted throughout the world to indicate the distance of air and land routes.

1 mile (mil) = 1609 m

1 nautical mile = 1852 m

• The basic unit of the American system is considered to be feet..

1 foot (ft) = 30.48 cm

The meaning of foot comes from England. This quantity measured a distance equal to 16 feet and was called the rod (stock).

• Size inch was popular in all European countries before the introduction of the SI system. It was calculated by the length of the joint of the thumb or its width at the base.

1 inch (in) = 25.4 mm

There is an opinion that the size of an inch was determined by three grains of barley, laid lengthwise one after another. According to another version, the component of an inch was 1/36 of a yard, which was established by King Henry I in 1101. Its length was equal to the distance from the middle finger of his right hand to the tip of his nose.

• The yard is initially taken as the average stride length.

1 yard (yd) = 0.9144 m

• Line – used in military affairs to indicate the caliber of a weapon.

1 line (ln) = 2.12 mm

• League. The league value has long been used in naval battles to determine the distance of a cannon shot. Later it began to be used for land and postal affairs.

1 league = 4.83 km

Measures rarely used in everyday life

1 mil = 0.025 mm

1 hand = 10.16 cm

1st kind = 5.029 m

1 chain = 20.12 m (for surveyors) and 30.48 m (for builders)

1 furlong = 201.17 m

1 faton = 1.83 m

1 el = 1.14 m

1 pace = 0.76 m

1 qubit = 46-56 cm

1 span = 22.86 cm

1 link = 20.12 cm (for surveyors) and 30.48 cm (for builders)

1 flier = 11.43 cm

1 nail = 5.71 cm

1 barleycorn = 8.47 mm

1 point = 0.353 mm

1 cable = 219.5 m (in England this is 183 m)

Most popular units of measurement

The US is the only developed country to abandon the metric system. In addition to the United States, 2 more countries do not use the SI system: Liberia and Myanmar.

Once in this country, do not be surprised if in cold damp weather you ask on the street how many degrees, and you will be told that it is plus 32. Just 0 degrees Celsius, this is the American 32 Fahrenheit. When driving to a gas station, be sure to convert liters to gallons. Our 3.78 liters corresponds to one gallon.

• Barrel– a measure of volume for bulk materials and liquids.

Translated from English it means barrel. In the world, calculating oil in barrels is considered the most convenient, so oil companies set prices in dollars per barrel.

1 barrel (bbl) = 158.9 liters

1 dry barrel = 115.6 liters

The concept of a beer barrel was introduced specifically to calculate the volume of beer in the UK. Its value changed over time and depended on the type of drink (ale or beer). The value was finally established in 1824 and amounted to 163.66 liters per 1 barrel.

• Bushel- a measure of volume for dry substances in agriculture (the volume of grain, vegetables, fruits was measured). In international trade, containers weighing 18 kg are taken as a bushel.

1 bushel (bu) = 35.24 liters

• Gallon– the same as a barrel. A gallon is further divided into a pint and an ounce.

1 gallon for liquid (gl) = 3.79 dm3

1 gallon for bulk solids (gl) = 4.4 dm 3

1 pint = 1/8 gallon = 0.47 dm3

1 ounce = 1/16 pint = 29.57 ml

An ounce has retained its value since ancient times and was approximately equal to 30 g. In the American system, the concept of an ounce is widely used in the pharmaceutical and jewelry business.

• Quart– a unit of measurement of container volume equal to ¼ gallon

1 quart for liquid = 0.946 liters

1 quart for solids = 1.1 liters

Area measures

The square acre is most widely used in world literature..

Its original designation served to calculate the area of ​​land that could be cultivated by one peasant with one ox.

Converting the acre value to the SI system is very simple. If we divide the number by 10, we get the result in meters. And if you divide by 2 - in hectares.

1 inch (sq. in) = 6.45 cm 2

1 foot (sq. ft) = 929 cm 2

1 yard (sq.yd) = 0.836 m2

1 mile (sq.mi) = 2.59 km 2

1 acre(s) = 4046.86 m2

Volume measures

Why is volume determined?

• to describe the capacity of household appliances
• for shipping containers
• to determine the amount of gas
• to describe the capacity of commercial warehouses

The most commonly used measure of three-dimensional space is the foot. A cubic foot is defined as the volume of a cube with an edge of 1 foot. Less commonly used are yard and inch.

To get cubic volume, you need to multiply the length, height and width.

1 ton (register) = 2.83 m 3

1 yard = 0.76 m 3

1 foot = 28.32 dm 3

1 inch = 16.39 cm 3

Weights

• Pound - used as a measure of weight and to describe mass.

In the United States, the pound is used to express pressure per square inch. The pound is also used to describe the weight of ammunition (cases, shells, bullets).

To convert pounds to kilograms, divide the number of pounds by 2.2

1 lb (lb) = 453.59 g

• An ounce is a measure of weight that has found application in jewelry and banking, for determining the weight of precious metals and stones, as well as in pharmacy.

To convert an ounce to kilograms, you need to divide its quantity by 35.2

1 ounce (oz) = 28.35 g

• Stone is a unit of measurement used to describe the weight of the human body..

1 stone (st) = 6.35 kg

• A short ton is a measure of weight equivalent to 2,000 pounds.. Also known in the USA, but practically not used, is the long ton, which is equal to 2240 trade pounds.

1 short ton = 907.18 kg

1 long ton = 1016 kg

If you are going to America, check the local standard of measures. This way you will avoid awkward situations and choose the right question that interests you. You don't have to memorize numbers to do this. All you need to do is download a simple converter to your phone.

Greetings, dear readers! Very often in films we hear about inches, yards, miles, acres. Almost every day the news says that a barrel of oil has risen in price by so many dollars. And if we imagine how much this is approximately in rubles, then we have no idea exactly how much oil in liters. Therefore, knowing the units of measurement in the USA, Canada and England is necessary not only for students of English, but will also be useful for the general development of everyone in order to imagine what is said in the news, literature or movies. English units of measurement

English units and measures of length, weight, volume, area, mass and other indicators are very different from those in Russian. Many of them, as I already said, you could have heard from movies, TV shows or news, or read in English literature. But in the USA and England, as well as in Australia and Canada, there are units of measurement that are not known to Russian speakers at all. For example, bushel, mil, rod, pepper and many others.

Sometimes it is very difficult to navigate new material or interesting information in English precisely because of ignorance of the meanings of some foreign measures. Therefore, in this article we will analyze in detail the units of measurement in English, find out their names, and approximately how much it will be if translated into familiar units of weight, length, speed, volume and distance.

The English measurement system is used not only in England and the USA, but also in other English-speaking countries. Great Britain, as a European country, has long adopted the decimal and metric system of measures, but the press and ordinary people are in no hurry to accept the new system and use the old one. The most common measures of length, weight and volume in English are barrel, foot, pint, acre, yard, inch and mile.

• 1 fluid ounce (fl. oz.) = 28.43 ml (cm³)
• 1 oz = 28.6 g
• Short ton = 907 kg
• Long ton = 1016.05 kg
• Barrel = 163.6 l
• Barrel of oil = 158.98 l
• 1 lb = 453.5 g
• 1 acre = 0.4 ha
• 1 yard = 0.9144 m
• 1 inch = 2.54 cm
• 1 pint = 507 ml
• 1 grain = 64.8 mg

This is only a small part of the units of measurement in English. In fact, there are more than a hundred of them. You won't be able to learn them all, but it would be nice to get acquainted with the most popular ones. After all, in newspapers, on radio and television, we regularly encounter these incomprehensible words, symbols and designations in English or their tracing paper in Russian.

Table of the most common English measurements

To make it easier for you to navigate each unit of measure, I divided them into categories, found their approximate values ​​in our system, and placed them in a convenient table. This table can be downloaded and saved to your computer, or printed and hung in a visible place so that you can easily look into it if necessary.