Where are the units for mass?

The Metric System of Mass

The metric system is a standardized system of measurement that is used in most countries around the world. It is based on the decimal system, which makes it easy to convert between different units of measurement.

Units of Mass in the Metric System

The base unit of mass in the metric system is the gram (g). One gram is equal to the mass of one cubic centimeter of water at a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius.

For larger quantities of mass, the kilogram (kg) is used. One kilogram is equal to 1,000 grams. The tonne (t) is a larger unit of mass that is equal to 1,000 kilograms.

Conversion Between Units of Mass

To convert from one unit of mass to another, simply multiply or divide by the appropriate conversion factor.

• To convert from grams to kilograms, divide by 1,000 (or multiply by 0.001).
• To convert from kilograms to tonnes, divide by 1,000 (or multiply by 0.001).
• To convert from tonnes to kilograms, multiply by 1,000 (or divide by 0.001).

Examples

• 500 grams = 0.5 kilograms (500 / 1,000 = 0.5)
• 2.5 kilograms = 2,500 grams (2.5 x 1,000 = 2,500)
• 10 tonnes = 10,000 kilograms (10 x 1,000 = 10,000)