Canada uses the metric system of weights and measures. Visitors will find temperature reports given in degrees Celsius, gasoline and oil sold by litres, weights in kilograms and speed limits posted in kilometres per hour. Here are some handy conversions to help those unfamiliar with metric terms:

  • 1 Inch = 2.54 centimetres
  • 1 Foot = 30.48 centimetres (.3048 metre)
  • 1 Cubic Foot = 0.028 cubic metres
  • 1 yard = 0.9144 metres = 91.44 centimetres
  • 1 Metre = 3.28083 Feet = 39.370 inches = 1.094 yards
  • 1 Mile = 1.6093 Kilometres = 1609.3 metres
  • 1 Kilometre = 0.6214 Miles = 3,280 feet = 1,000 metres
  • 1 Acre = 0.4047 Hectares
  • 1 Hectare = 2.471 Acres = 10,000 square metres = 0.00386 square miles
  • 1 Square kilometre (sq km) = 247.1 acres = 100 hectares = 0.3861 square miles
  • 1 Square mile (sq mi) = 640 acres = 258.99 hectares = 2.59 square kilometres
  • 1 Litre = 100 cubic centimetres 61.025 cubic inches
  • 1 Litre = 0.220 gallons (imperial) = 0.880 quarts (imperial) = 1,000 ml
  • 1 Litre = 1.057 quarts
  • 1 Canadian Gallon (Imperial) = 4.5 litres
  • 1 American Gallon = 3.78 litres
  • 12 fluid ounce can = 340 ml
  • 1 kilogram = 2.2046 lbs = 35.274 ounces
  • 1 Metric ton = 1,000 kg = 2204.622 lbs
  • 1 Pound (lb) = 0.4536 kilograms
  • 1 Ounce = 28.3495 grams
  • 180 lbs. = 80 kgs (Your weight drops dramatically in B.C!)
  • 30 miles/hour = 50 km/h
  • 50 miles/hour = 80 km/h
  • 70 miles/hour = 110 km/h
  • 30 Deg C = 86 Deg F
  • 20 Deg C = 68 Deg F
  • 0 Deg C = 32 Deg F
  • -10 Deg C = 14 Deg F

Conversion Formula:

  • Distance and Speed: Divide kilometres by 8 and multiply by 5 to calculate miles Divide miles by 5 and multiply by 8 to calculate kilometres
  • Temperature: Multiply Celsius by 1.8 and add 32 to calculate Fahrenheit Subtract 32 from Fahrenheit and divide by 1.8 to calculate Celsius
  • When it’s cold east of the Rockies its warmer in Southern British Columbia!