Metric System Denominations

Throughout the metric system, common to all units of measurement, are prefixes which designate multiples or fractions of the unit.

For automotive applications, the most common prefixes are centi; designating one-hundredth; milli; for one thousandth and kilo-for one thousand.

There are letters uniformly used throughout the system to label the divisions or multiples of each unit of measurement. The letter "m" represents milli, "c' is for centi and "k" is for kilo. These are then combined with the letter representing the unit of measurement.

For example, mm is millimeter, cm is centimeter and km is kilometer. The same applies to liter which is the unit of volume and gram which is the unit of weight.

One kilogram is equal to one thousand grams which is equal to 2.2 pounds.

All metric measurements are directly related. For example, one thousand cubic centimeters, or 10cm x 10cm x 10cm of water weighs one kilogram. The volume of those one thousand cc's is one liter.