Units of Measure
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Food Science and Human Nutrition Program
In nutrition, there are two systems of commonly used measurements: Metric and US Customary. We need both because the US won’t adopt the metric system completely.
The Metric and US Customary System
These are commonly used prefixes for the Metric System:
| Micro- (μ) | 1/1,000,000th (one millionth) |
| Milli- (m) | 1/1000th (one thousandth) |
| Centi- (c) | 1/100th (one hundredth) |
| Deci- (d) | 1/10th (one tenth) |
| Kilo- (k) | 1000x (one thousand times) |
Mass
| Metric System | US Customary System | Conversions |
| Microgram (μg) | Ounce (oz) | 1 oz = 28.35 g |
| Milligram (mg) | Pound (lb) | 1 lb = 16 oz |
| Gram (g) | 1 lb = 454 g | |
| Kilogram (kg) | 1 kg = 2.2 lbs |
Volume
| Metric System | US Customary System | Conversions |
| Milliliter (mL) | Teaspoon (tsp) | 1 tsp = 5 mL |
| Deciliter (dL) | Tablespoon (tbsp) | 1 tbsp = 3 tsp = 15 mL |
| Liter (L) | Fluid ounce (fl oz) | 1 fl oz = 2 tbsp = 30 mL |
| Cup (c) | 1 c = 8 fl oz = 237 mL | |
| Pint (pt) | 1 pt = 2 c = 16 fl oz | |
| Quart (qt) | 1 qt = 4 c = 32 fl oz = 0.95 L | |
| Gallon (gal) = 4 qt | 1 gal = 4 qt |
Length
| Metric System | US Customary System | Conversions |
| Millimeter (mm) | Inch (in) | 1 in = 25.4 mm |
| Centimeter (cm) | Foot (ft) | 1 ft= 30.5 cm |
| Meter (m) | Yard (yd) | 1 yd = 0.9 m |
| Kilometer (km) | Mile (mi) | 1 mi = 1.6 km |
Learning Activities
Technology Note: The second edition of the Human Nutrition Open Educational Resource (OER) textbook features interactive learning activities. These activities are available in the web-based textbook and not available in the downloadable versions (EPUB, Digital PDF, Print_PDF, or Open Document).
Learning activities may be used across various mobile devices, however, for the best user experience it is strongly recommended that users complete these activities using a desktop or laptop computer and in Google Chrome.
The sum of all processes involved in how organisms obtain nutrients, metabolize them, and use them to support all of life’s processes.
