Metric units of length

Distance measures length. In the metric system of measurement, the most common units of distance are millimeters, centimeters, meters, and kilometers. The centimetre ( SI symbol: cm) is a unit of length in the metric system equal to 10−2 metres ( 1 100 m = 0.01 m ).

• A paper clip is about 1111 millimeter thick.
• A fingernail is about 1111 centimeter wide.
• The length of a guitar is about 1111 meter.
• A kilometer is equal to 1000100010001000 meters. It is a little over half of a mile.

1 mm is equal to 0.1 centimeters:

• 1 mm = 0.1 cm

The distance d in centimeters (cm) is equal to the distance d in millimeters (mm) divided by 10:

• d(cm) = d(mm) / 10

Convert 20 millimeters to centimeters:

• d(cm) = 20mm / 10 = 2cm