The Two Systems
India, like most of the world, uses the SI (International System of Units) — commonly called the metric system. The United States uses the US Customary System; the United Kingdom uses a hybrid (mostly metric with some imperial holdovers like miles, pints, and stone). Understanding both systems is increasingly essential for Indian professionals in software, engineering, e-commerce, fashion, and food industries dealing with international clients.
Length Conversions
| Metric | Imperial/US | Common Indian Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | 0.394 inches | Clothing sizes, screen size specs |
| 2.54 cm | 1 inch | Display sizes (phone, TV, monitor) |
| 30.48 cm | 1 foot | Interior design, room dimensions |
| 1 metre | 3.281 feet / 1.094 yards | Height, fabric measurement |
| 1 km | 0.621 miles | US road distances, UK road signs |
| 1.609 km | 1 mile | Speed limits in UK/US |
| 1 foot | 30.48 cm | Height on resume (for US clients) |
Weight Conversions
| Metric | Imperial/US | Common Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 gram | 0.035 ounces | Gold jewellery pricing |
| 28.35 grams | 1 ounce (oz) | Protein supplement labels |
| 1 kg | 2.205 pounds (lbs) | Gym weight plates |
| 453.6 grams | 1 pound | Meat orders, US recipes |
| 1 metric tonne | 2,205 lbs / 1.102 short tons | Freight and shipping |
| 6.35 kg | 1 stone | UK body weight measurement |
Temperature Conversions
| Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 0°C | 32°F | Freezing point |
| 37°C | 98.6°F | Normal body temperature |
| 100°C | 212°F | Boiling point |
| 180°C | 356°F | Baking (moderate oven) |
| 200°C | 392°F | Baking (hot oven) |
| 220°C | 428°F | Baking (very hot oven) |
| Formula | °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32 | °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9 |
Common Indian Scenarios Requiring Unit Conversion
Working with US software clients
Screen sizes in inches, paper sizes (letter vs A4), file sizes in MB/GB — all same, but temperature and distance in Fahrenheit/miles in documentation
Ordering from Amazon US or eBay
Clothing sizes (US vs Indian), product weights in ounces/pounds, US gallon vs litre for liquids
Cooking US/UK recipes
US cups, tablespoons vs ml; °F oven temperatures; pounds of meat
Gym and fitness tracking
Pounds vs kg for weight plates, miles vs km for running distances, height in feet vs cm
Architecture and interior design
Inch-based measurements from US clients vs metric drawings; 1 foot = 30.48 cm
Convert between any units instantly with ToolsWallet's free Unit Converter — length, weight, temperature, volume, speed, and more.