
Common Unit Conversion Formulas Made Simple
Length, weight, temperature, and volume conversions explained with exact factors, worked examples, and common mistakes to avoid.
Converting between units is just multiplication by the right factor — once you know the factor, every conversion becomes quick and reliable. Here are the ones you will use most, plus worked examples for each.
Prefer to skip the arithmetic? Use our Unit Converter below for instant, accurate results across dozens of units.
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Category
1 Meter = 3.28084 Foot
- Start: 1 m
- To base (metre): 1 × 1 = 1
- To Foot: 1 ÷ 0.3048 = 3.28084 ft
Conversion table — 1 m equals:
| Unit | Symbol | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Millimeter | mm | 1,000 |
| Centimeter | cm | 100 |
| Meterselected | m | 1 |
| Kilometer | km | 0.001 |
| Inch | in | 39.370079 |
| Footselected | ft | 3.28084 |
| Yard | yd | 1.093613 |
| Mile | mi | 0.00062137119 |
Learn more about unit conversions — read our Unit Converter guide with formulas, metric vs imperial tips, and practical examples.
Length
- 1 kilometre = 0.621371 miles
- 1 mile = 1.60934 kilometres
- 1 metre = 3.28084 feet
- 1 inch = 2.54 centimetres
Example: a 5 km run equals 5 × 0.621371 ≈ 3.11 miles.
Weight
- 1 kilogram = 2.20462 pounds
- 1 pound = 0.453592 kilograms
- 1 ounce = 28.3495 grams
Example: a 75 kg suitcase weighs 75 × 2.20462 ≈ 165.3 pounds.
Temperature
- Celsius to Fahrenheit: (°C × 9/5) + 32
- Fahrenheit to Celsius: (°F − 32) × 5/9
- Celsius to Kelvin: °C + 273.15
Example: 25°C converts to (25 × 9/5) + 32 = 77°F, a comfortable room temperature.
Volume
- 1 litre = 0.264172 US gallons
- 1 US gallon = 3.78541 litres
- 1 cup = 236.588 millilitres
Example: a 2-litre bottle holds 2 × 0.264172 ≈ 0.53 US gallons.
Quick-reference conversion table
| Category | From → To | Multiply By |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Kilometres → Miles | 0.621371 |
| Weight | Kilograms → Pounds | 2.20462 |
| Volume | Litres → US Gallons | 0.264172 |
| Temperature | Celsius → Fahrenheit | ×9/5, then +32 |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Rounding the conversion factor too early, which compounds error across multiple steps.
- Forgetting that temperature conversions are not pure multiplication — they involve addition or subtraction too.
- Confusing US customary units (like US gallons) with imperial units (UK gallons), which are different sizes.
- Mixing up mass (kilograms) with weight (a force) in scientific contexts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert kilometres to miles?
Multiply the number of kilometres by 0.621371 to get the equivalent in miles.
How do I convert Celsius to Fahrenheit?
Multiply the Celsius value by 9/5 and add 32 to get Fahrenheit.
Is a US gallon the same as a UK gallon?
No. A UK (imperial) gallon is about 4.546 litres, while a US gallon is about 3.785 litres.
How accurate are these conversion factors?
They are standard, internationally recognised conversion factors accurate to the decimal places shown.
Can I convert cooking measurements like cups to millilitres?
Yes, our Unit Converter supports common cooking volume conversions including cups, tablespoons, and millilitres.
Why is temperature conversion different from other conversions?
Because temperature scales have different zero points, so conversions require both multiplication and addition, not just multiplication.
Is the Unit Converter free to use?
Yes, it is completely free and supports length, weight, temperature, volume, speed, and more.
Can I convert between metric and imperial in one tool?
Yes, the calculator supports conversions in both directions across all supported unit categories.
Related Calculators
- Unit Converter
- Length Converter
- Weight / Mass Converter
- Temperature Converter
- Browse all Conversion Calculators or the full All Calculators directory.
Final thoughts
With the right factor, any unit conversion is just one multiplication away. Bookmark this guide, or use our Unit Converter for instant, error-free results every time.
Try it yourself
Put this guide into practice with our free tool.
CalcWisee Editorial Team
Calculator development and formula review
CalcWisee is an independent site founded by Ayman. Every calculator is built from a published formula or official definition, tested against hand-worked examples before it goes live, and corrected promptly when a reader reports an issue to ayman@calcwisee.com.
Expertise: Financial mathematics, Health and fitness formulas, Applied mathematics, Unit conversion standards


