Maths Help UK

Measures and conversions

Metric ↔ imperial: km/miles, kg/lb, litres/pints. Practical conversions.

FSM tests metric and imperial fluency. Common: 1 mile ≈ 1.6 km; 1 kg ≈ 2.2 lb; 1 litre ≈ 1.76 UK pints; 1 inch ≈ 2.54 cm. UK adult life uses both systems mixed.

Worked examples
50 km ≈ 31 miles.
10 kg ≈ 22 lb.
4 litres ≈ 7 UK pints.

Frequently asked questions

Why both systems in the UK?
Legacy from imperial use. Roads in miles; food in kg/g; beer in pints; building in mm/m.
Conversion factor sheets?
Most FSM exams provide a formula sheet with the key conversions.