Unit Conversion by Industry
The same quantity can need a different unit depending on the job. Pick your field to see the converters built for it — and why that unit is the right one there.
Browse all convertersConstruction & Building
US job sites speak feet, inches, board feet, and cubic yards. Use these for framing, concrete, flooring, and square footage.
Why this unit here
Imperial dimensions are written into US building codes and material specs, so contractors convert to metric only when coordinating imported components.
Medical & Clinical
Clinics and pharmacies use metric: mg, mL, and international units (IU). Precision and care notes matter.
Why this unit here
Medication math is metric by standard of care; kitchen cups and spoons are not precise enough for doses.
Logistics & Shipping
Carriers bill by dimensional (volumetric) weight, not just scale weight. Estimate chargeable weight before you ship.
Why this unit here
IATA divisors define how package size converts to billable weight; ignoring it leads to surprise freight charges.
Cooking & Baking
US recipes use cups, tablespoons, and teaspoons; scaling or substituting needs grams and ounces.
Why this unit here
Volume measures are inconsistent for flour and sugar, so bakers convert to weight (g/oz) for repeatable results.
Science & Study
Labs and coursework use SI units and scientific notation with controlled significant figures.
Why this unit here
Scientific work requires exact SI factors and notation; round only at the reported precision.
Fitness & Health
Americans track body weight in pounds but compare against international (kg) standards and gym equipment.
Why this unit here
kg is the shared language for research and many fitness apps, so a quick lb-to-kg check keeps your logs comparable.
Not sure which unit to use?
Start from the scenario, not the number. Our guide walks through the common “which unit should I use” decisions for weight, temperature, length, and volume.