Unit conversions are simple when you name the source unit, target unit and quantity before applying the conversion factor.
Start with the unit
Write the quantity with its unit, such as 10 kilometres or 5 kilograms. Select the target unit only after you know what the result should represent.
Length, area and volume
Length uses one dimension. Area uses two dimensions and volume uses three, so square and cubic conversions require the factor to be applied more than once.
Check the result
Estimate the direction before converting. A value should become larger when moving to a smaller unit and smaller when moving to a larger unit.
- Do not mix metres and feet in one formula.
- Label square and cubic units clearly.
- Use a second method for important measurements.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my area conversion different from a length conversion?
Area has two dimensions, so the length factor is squared. Volume has three dimensions, so it is cubed.
Can I convert speed directly?
Yes, when the converter includes both distance and time units. Otherwise convert the distance and time parts separately.