Learn About Customary Units of Length, Weight, Capacity and Temperature

Our life Without the Units of Measurement!

How do we express the measurement of time, weight, length and temperature? There is a specific unit of measurement for each. Imagine what would the scenario be if there was no definite system of measurement.

Inappropriate Answers Without Customary Units

Life without customary units

“What time of the day it is?”

- “The sun is over our head”

“How much is the weight of the trunk?”

- “The trunk is heavier than you”

“What is the temperature today?’

- “The temperature is hotter than yesterday”

You see, we cannot exactly or specifically express time, weight, length or temperature. This happens as there are no defined measurement units.

The Solution?

Thus, the English system of measurement introduced customary units, which are also known as the U.S Customary System.

History of Customary Units - Learn More About Customary Units of Length, Weight, Capacity and Temperature

Chart of customary units of measurement

In the year 1832, the U.S started its customary units after developing the idea from the English Units. The usage of the customary units made the life of the people very easy, especially in trades.

When the world witnessed its advantages, other nations slowly started to adopt these customary units. We are going to learn about these customary units. Customary units on length, weight, capacity, and temperature will be discussed by us. Keep reading to gain more knowledge about the customary units.

Study the Customary Units of Length

The customary units which are used for the measurement of length and distances in the customary system are as follows:

• Inches

• Feet

• Yards

You can convert the different units of length into other units as well. The table below shows the conversion:

We will represent an example to show the same:

Converting 9 foot to inches.

We know 1 foot = 12 inches. Thus, 9 foot = 12 ×9 = 108 inches

Study About the Customary Units of Weight

The U.S. designed its customary units for measuring weights, which include ounces, pounds, and tons. Given below is the conversion of pounds to ounces and tons to pounds. Let us check!

Let us take an example to make our understanding clear.

Example: Calculate the ounces in 1 ton.

There is - 1 ton = 2000 pounds

1 pound = 16 ounces

So, 2000 pounds = 2000 × 16 = 32000 ounces. This means 1 ton = 32000 ounces.

Study About the Customary Units of Capacity (Volume)

The U.S. customary capacity or the volume measurement units are ounces, cups, pints, quarts and gallons. We can convert the customary units into customary equivalents as well and then into standard metric equivalents. Let us check how.

Let us take an example:

Converting 6 quarts to cups.

We know 1 quart = 2 pints

So, 6 quarts = 12 pints

then, 1 pint = 2 cups

So, 12 pints = 12 × 2 = 24 cups

Study About the Customary Units of Temperature

The customary measurement unit of temperature is °Fahrenheit. It should be known that 1 °C = 33.8 °F.

As we come to the end of the discussion of customary units, the students are advised to revise and understand the different types of units which are present and which are to be utilised in which specific units. Further, parents must make the study for their kids interesting; they can look up real life examples and show which units have which type of customary units.