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Vorpar Posted 20 years ago
Vocabulary

American measurement reference

Thought I would provide a list of American measurements. When speaking to an American (and some British) about temperature, weight, height, and distance, you'll find that we use different numbers that can be confusing. Here are the basic units of the Imperial system:

Distance: inch, foot, yard, mile. 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters. 12 inches = 1 foot. 3 feet = 1 yard. 5280 feet = 1 mile.

Example of height: I am 6'0". Which means 6 feet, 0 inches tall.

Temperature: Fahrenheit. 32 degrees Fahrenheit = water freezing (0 degrees Celsius). 212 degrees Fahrenheit = water boiling. (100 degrees Celsius)

37 degrees Celsius = 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (body temperature)

Weight: Ounce, pound, ton. 2.2 pounds = 1 kilogram. 16 ounces = 1 pound. 2000 pounds = 1 ton.

Fluid measure (cubic area): fluid ounce, cup, pint, quart, gallon. 1 liter = .26 gallons. 8 fluid ounces = 1 cup. 2 cups = 1 pint. 2 pints = 1 quart. 4 quarts = 1 gallon.
  

Top answer

Hi Vorpar, Did you know that an American gallon and a British gallon are different? 55 litres. Makes it tricky to compare gas prices.

  • Hi Vorpar, Did you know that an American gallon and a British gallon are different?
  • 55 litres.
  • Makes it tricky to compare gas prices.
  • Best wishes, Clive
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4 Answers
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Hi Vorpar,

Did you know that an American gallon and a British gallon are different?

USA = 3.79 litres, UK = 4.55 litres.

Makes it tricky to compare gas prices.

Best wishes, Clive
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Weight: Ounce, pound, ton. 2.2 pounds = 1 kilogram. 16 ounces = 1 pound. 2000 pounds = 1 ton.

2204.622 pounds = 1 ton.

BaiWF, China.
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Hi,

Yes. The USA uses what is sometimes called the 'short ton', and Britain uses the 'long ton'.

So, there are tons of differences.

Best wishes again, Clive
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Thanks for the heads up on the British differences. Luckily I titled the thread "American measurement reference" Emotion: smile

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