About Metric Program

The Metric Program (MP) is part of the Weights and Measures Division within NIST's Technology Services.

NIST-Wide Information

Quick List (popular links)

• Conversions
  • Common Conversion Factors for Domestic Use:
    • Metric to Inch-Pound
    • Inch-Pound to Metric
  • Conversion Factors for Use in Trade and Commerce
  • Conversion Programs/Tools
  • Cooking Conversion Information
• Metric Publications
  • Current Publications
  • Archived Publications
• Legal Metrology Handbooks
  • Handbook 44, Specifications for Weighing & Measuring Devices:
  • Handbook 112, Examination Procedures for Weighing and Measuring Devices
  • Handbook 130, Uniform Laws and Regulations
  • NCWM Pub. 21, Petroleum Products Sampling Procedures and Safety Manual
  • Handbook 133, Checking the Net Contents of Packaged Goods
• Government - Federal and State
  • Guide for Identification and Development of Metric Standards (SD-10)
  • UPLR - Uniform Packaging and Labeling Regulation
  • FPLA - Fair Packaging and Labeling Act
  • Preferred Metric Units for General Use by the Federal Government (Fed. Std. 376B)
  • Metric Conversion Law
    
• Workplace
  • Fact Sheet on Metric Labeling for Consumer Packages
  • FDA Food Labeling Guidance
  • How do I use metric units in writing?
  • International Paper Sizes
  • Mexico Labeling Requirements for Exports Summary
  • Metric Guide for Federal Construction

Outreach Activities

• Package Labeling Resources - Permissible Metric-Only Labeling Update
• EU Metric Directive
  
• Educational Resources
  • Links to Educational Resources
  • Educational Measurement Guidelines - NASA Innovation Through Engineering
• History
  • The United States and the Metric System (LC1136)
  • Weights and Measures Standards of the United States: a brief history (NBS SP 447)
  • Time Line for the Definition of the Meter
• Kids in General/Activities
  • NIST Kids Page
  • NIST Metric Pyramid
  • What's Your Nano IQ?
• Everyday Living -
  • In the Kitchen
    • Household Weights & Measures
    • Conversion Information for Cooking
    • Metric in the Kitchen
    • Recipe Gallery
  • Sports/Olympics
    • Measurement in Sport
      
    • Olympic Fast Facts
    • The Olympics and the Metric System
    • Bicycling/Tour de France

Metric Conversion Software and Other Converters
Metric Program Notice.

Publications

• NIST Publications
• NIST Press Releases
• NIST Research Library Online Catalog

Related Links

• Links to Internet Resources

Date created: March 28, 2002
Last Date Modified: August 11, 2008

In the News

NIST Offers U.S. Interpretations of Recent SI (Metric) Changes

NIST has issued a new American version of the English language SI Brochure, the eight edition of the international standard reference guide to the metric system. The SI plays an essential role in trade and commerce and is the common language of scientific and technological research and development.

The 2008 edition of NIST Special Publications (SP) 330, the International System of Units (SI), cover correct U.S. usage of metric units. In another update, NIST SP 811, Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI), complements SP 330, and is published to assist NIST authors and others in correct SI usage and unit conversion. An extensive conversion factor appendix offers help in measurement unit conversions and in appropriate rounding-off of data. SP 811 also provides an editorial checklist for reviewing manuscripts' conformity with the SI and the basic principles of physical quantities and units. A color diagram has been added that illustrates the utilization of the SI base units in defining the 22 derived units with special names and symbols.

Learn more and download documents

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