NeedFrench
  • Home
  • Tips
  • Grammar
  • Vocabulary
  • Reading
  • Quiz
  • Questions
No Result
View All Result
NeedFrench
  • Home
  • Tips
  • Grammar
  • Vocabulary
  • Reading
  • Quiz
  • Questions
No Result
View All Result
NeedFrench
No Result
View All Result

The units of measurement in French

in Vocabulary
0
1
SHARES
987
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on PinterestShare on WhatsappShare on TelegramShare on Linkedin

Today we are going to learn about the units of measurement used in France. It’s a bit different from units like pounds and gallons that we use in the United States. In France, the metric system is used to measure weight, capacity, length, and time.

To measure weight, the French use the gram and its divisions like the kilogram which equals 1000 grams. A kilo is about 2.2 pounds. For liquids, they use units like the liter which is a little more than a quarter gallon.

The French measure distances in meters instead of feet. A meter is about 3 feet. For time, they use the same units as us like seconds, minutes, hours, and days. But they don’t use cups or teaspoons!

It’s interesting to see the differences between measurement systems. Now let’s look more closely at the French units and their American equivalents. Have fun!

The units of measurement in French
The units of measurement in French

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Weight Units - Les unités de poids
  • Capacity Units
  • Length Units
  • Time Units

Weight Units - Les unités de poids

In French, the most common weight units are:

    • kilogramme
    • hectogramme
    • décagramme
    • gramme
    •  décigramme
    • centigramme
    • milligramme
  • 1000g = 1 kilogramme / kilogram (2.2 pounds)
  • 100g = 1 hectogramme / hectogram (3.5 ounces)
  • 10g = 1 décagramme / decagram (0.35 ounces)
  • 1g = 1 gramme / gram (0.035 ounces)
  • 0,1g = 1 décigramme / decigram (0.0015 ounces)
  • 0,01g = 1 centigramme / centigram (0.00035 ounces)
  • 0,001g = 1 milligramme / milligram (0.000035 ounces)

For example: un paquet de sucre de 1kg pèse 1000 grammes. (a 1kg bag of sugar weighs 1000 grams (2.2 pounds))

Capacity Units

For liquids, the units used are:

  • kilolitre
  • hectolitre
  • décalitre
  • litre
  • décilitre
  • centilitre
  • millilitre



  • 1000L = 1 kilolitre / kilolitre (264 gallons)
  • 100L = 1 hectolitre / hectolitre (26 gallons)
  • 10L = 1 décalitre / decaliter (2.6 gallons)
  • 1L = 1 litre / litre (1.06 quarts)
  • 0,1L = 1 décilitre / décilitre (3.38 fluid ounces)
  • 0,01L = 1 centilitre / centilitre  (0.34 fluid ounces)
  • 0,001L = 1 millilitre / millilitre (0.03 fluid ounces)
See also  48 Daily use French Sentences for Students

For example: Une bouteille d’eau minérale contient souvent 1,5L. (A bottle of mineral water often contains 1.5L (1.59 quarts).)

Length Units

The most commonly used length units are:

  • kilomètre
  • hectomètre
  • décamètre
  • mètre
  • décimètre
  • centimètre
  • millimètre
  • 1000m = 1 kilomètre / kilometer (0.62 miles)
  • 100m = 1 hectomètre / hectometer (328 feet)
  • 10m = 1 décamètre / decameter (32.8 feet)
  • 1m = 1 mètre / meter (3.28 feet)
  • 0,1m = 1 décimètre / decimeter (3.94 inches)
  • 0,01m = 1 centimètre / centimeter (0.39 inches)
  • 0,001m = 1 millimètre / millimeter (0.039 inches)

For example: La Tour Eiffel mesure 300 mètres de hauteur. (The Eiffel Tower measures 300 meters (984 feet) in height.)

Time Units

To measure time, the units used are:

  • minute
  • heure
  •  jour
  • semaine
  • année
  • ans

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

  • 60 seconds (60 secondes) = 1 minute
  • 60 minutes (60 minutes) = 1 heure
  • 24 hours (24 heures) = 1 jour
  • 7 days (7 jours) = 1 semaine
  • 52 weeks (52 semaines) = 1 année
  • 1 year (1 année) = 365 jours (366 les années bissextiles)
  • 1 decade (1 décennie) = 10 ans (
  • 1 century (1 siècle) = 100 ans

For Example: Un film dure généralement entre 1h30 et 2h. (A movie usually lasts between 1h30 and 2h (90 to 120 minutes).)

In summary, the decimal metric system is the most widely used in France to express units of measurement. It facilitates conversions between different units.

ShareTweetPin1SendShareShare

Related Posts

Other ways to say “I'M HUNGRY” in French?
Vocabulary

11 Ways to say “I’M HUNGRY” in French

Ways to Say I’m Excited in French
Vocabulary

Ways to Say “I’m Excited” in French

6 Ways to Say “smells bad or It Stinks” in French
Vocabulary

6 Ways to Say “It Stinks” in French

Ways to say “leave me alone” in French
Vocabulary

Ways to say “leave me alone” in French

Other ways to say “I’M SURPRISED” in French
Vocabulary

15 Ways to say “I’M SURPRISED” in French

5 Christmas Wishes in French
Vocabulary

5 Christmas Wishes in French

Next Post
How to Identify the Gender of French Nouns

How to Identify the Gender of French Nouns

How to React to Good News in French

How to React to Good News in French

French Slang for Food and Cooking

French Slang for Food and Cooking

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Follow us

Best Sellers

Learn French: Become Fluent in the Car or While You Sleep with the Alphabet and Numbers, Verbs, Grammar, Short Stories, Idioms, Phrases and Random Facts!
3.8 out of 5 stars(3858)
$17.05 (as of July 6, 2025 00:11 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Learn French in 30 Days with Practical Lessons from Beginner to Intermediate Levels: Over 50 Hours to Learn French Like a Pro
1.0 out of 5 stars(1051)
$26.21 (as of July 6, 2025 00:11 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Popular Posts

Daily use of French Sentences Conversations

100+ Daily use French Sentences Conversations

30 Ways to say it's delicious in French

30 Ways to say it’s delicious in French

Other ways to say “It’s hot” in French

11 Ways to say “It’s hot” in French

Punctuation Marks in French

Mastering French Punctuation: A Beginner’s Guide

100 Simple French Sentences for Kids

100 Simple French Sentences for Kids

102 Similar words in French and English

102 Similar words in French and English

  • Home
  • About us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2025 NeedFrench - Learn French online with free resources.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tips
  • Grammar
  • Vocabulary
  • Reading
  • Quiz
  • Questions

© 2025 NeedFrench - Learn French online with free resources.