Measurement abbreviations are not hard to master. They are the same for singular and plural forms of a word, which simplifies things significantly. For example, one kilometer is abbreviated 1 km, and two kilometers how many cups equal a quart 2 km.
Let’s take a look at the most often used measurement abbreviations and get a little insight into how these abbreviations are developed. You’ll find many of the units discussed here use standard number and quantity prefixes to make a unit name. The abbreviation is then a shortened version of that unit name. They can also be used to measure distances and ranges.
Milli” comes from the Latin word for one thousand, but in measurements, it usually indicates one thousandth, not one thousand. A millimeter is one thousandth of a meter. Centi” means one hundred, but just like “milli” in measurements, it means one hundredth, not one hundred. A centimeter is one hundredth of a meter. A meter is equal to 39. 37 inches, or slightly more than three feet.
Kilo” comes from the Greek word for one thousand. A kilometer is one thousand meters. A yard is equal to three feet, or not quite a meter. A mile is 5280 feet, 1760 yards, or approximately 1. You’ll sometimes see these used in real estate abbreviations.
A square mile is a piece of land that is one mile wide and one mile long. A square yard is an area that is one yard wide and one yard long. A square foot is an area that is one foot long and one foot wide. A square inch is an area that is one inch long by one inch wide. A square centimeter is an area that measures one centimeter in length and width.
A square meter is an area that measures one meter in length and width. A square kilometer is an area that measures one kilometer long by one kilometer wide. There are 16 ounces in a pound. A milligram is one thousandth of a gram. A gram is one thousandth of a kilogram. A kilogram is equal to approximately 2.
T – ton – A ton is 2,000 pounds. A stone is a weight measurement that equals 14 pounds. 6 of a fluid ounce or almost five milliliters. A tablespoon is about half a fluid ounce, three teaspoons, or fifteen milliliters. A cup is half a pint or eight ounces.