Unit Conversions: Length, Volume, and Mass

Vocabulary flashcards covering metric units and their two-direction conversion rules as described in the notes.

centimeter (cm)

A metric unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter; 100 cm = 1 m.

meter (m)

Base unit of length in the metric system; 1 m = 100 cm.

liter (L)

Metric unit of volume; 1 L = 1000 mL; 1000 mL = 1 L.

milliliter (mL)

Metric unit of volume; 1000 mL = 1 L; 1 mL = 1/1000 L.

microgram (mcg)

Metric unit of mass; 1000 mcg = 1 mg; 1 mg = 1000 mcg.

milligram (mg)

Metric unit of mass; 1000 mg = 1 g; 1 g = 1000 mg.

gram (g)

Metric unit of mass; 1 g = 1000 mg.

quart (qt)

Unit of volume; 1 qt = 1000 mL; 1000 mL = 1 qt.

two-direction conversion: grams and milligrams

To convert between grams and milligrams, multiply by 1000 (g→mg) or divide by 1000 (mg→g); e.g., 4 g = 4000 mg; 3000 mg = 3 g.

two-direction conversion: liters and milliliters

To convert between liters and milliliters, multiply by 1000 (L→mL) or divide by 1000 (mL→L); e.g., 2 L = 2000 mL; 3000 mL = 3 L.

Abbreviations for metric units

Common abbreviations include g, mg, mcg, L, mL, cm, etc.

Must know both directions

You must know both directions of unit conversions (e.g., L↔mL, g↔mg, mcg↔mg).