The length of one metre stick is equal to 1 metre. A metre stick is NOT the same as a yardstick. There are 3 feet in a yard, but there are about 3. 28 feet in one metre. [2] X Research source You will know a measurement is in metres because it will be labeled m{\displaystyle \mathrm {m} }. For example, if the length of a floor is 4 metre sticks long, it is 4 m{\displaystyle \mathrm {4\ m} } long.

For example, if you measure something that is 4 metres long, plus 30 centimetres, it is 4. 3 metres long, because there are 100 centimetres in 1 metre. [3] X Research source If you measure something that is 4 metres long, plus 30 millimetres, it is 4. 03 metres long, because there are 1000 millimetres in a metre. [4] X Research source

For example, if you are converting 4. 3 m{\displaystyle \mathrm {4. 3\ m} }, write 4. 3{\displaystyle \mathrm {4. 3} } and place your pencil on the decimal point.

For example, if your floor is 4. 3 m{\displaystyle \mathrm {4. 3\ m} } long, you would move your pencil three decimal places to the right, adding two zeros to the number. This gives you 4300 mm{\displaystyle \mathrm {4,300\ mm} }. You could also use a calculator or use the standard multiplication algorithm to calculate 4. 3×1000{\displaystyle \mathrm {4. 3\times 1000} }.

On a standard American ruler, millimetres can be measured with the smallest lines on the metric (cm{\displaystyle \mathrm {cm} }) side. Make sure you measure millimetres (small lines) and not centimetres (numbered lines). You will know a measurement is in millimetres because it will be labeled mm{\displaystyle \mathrm {mm} }. For example, the length of a pencil might be 155 mm{\displaystyle \mathrm {155\ mm} } long.

For example, if you are converting 155 mm{\displaystyle \mathrm {155\ mm} }, write 155. 0{\displaystyle \mathrm {155. 0} } and place your pencil on the decimal point.

For example, if your pencil is 155. 0 mm{\displaystyle \mathrm {155. 0\ mm} } long, you would move your pencil three decimal places to the left. This gives you . 155 m{\displaystyle \mathrm {. 155\ m} }. You could also use a calculator or use the standard division algorithm to calculate 155÷1000{\displaystyle \mathrm {155\div 1000} }.