According to new research, the top nine most googled questions about the metric system include “What is the metric system?”, “Who uses the metric system?” and “What countries do not use the metric system?”
The research was carried out by measurement conversion experts, Unit Converters, who used search data to discover the most asked questions about the metric system.
They found that most people are confused by the metric system as a whole, with the most asked question on the subject, “What is the metric system?” asked 320 times in an average month.
The second most googled query about the metric system is “Who invented the metric system?” with260 average monthly searches, followed by “When did the metric system start in the UK?”, which is asked 210 times in an average month, and “When was the metric system invented?”, which gets 140monthly searches, on average.
In fifth and sixth places are questions on where the metric system is used, with an average of 110 people googling“Does the UK use the metric system?” and 90 people asking “Who uses the metric system?” each month.“What are the units of the metric system?”,
“What countries do not use the metric system?” and“What is the metric system for weight?” are all asked 70 times each in an average month, putting them seventh, eighth, and ninth in the study.
Table of Contents
What are the most googled queries about the metric system?
| Rank | Search term | Average monthly searches |
| 1 | What is the metric system? | 320 |
| 2 | Who invented the metric system? | 260 |
| 3 | When did the metric system start in the UK? | 210 |
| 4 | When was the metric system invented? | 140 |
| 5 | Does the UU use the metric system? | 110 |
| 6 | Who uses the metric system? | 90 |
| 7 | What are the units of the metric system? | 70 |
| 8 | What countries do not use the metric system? | 70 |
| 9 | What is the metric system for weight? | 70 |
A spokesperson for Unit Converters has provided the answers to these questions below:
1. What is the metric system?
Also known as the International System of Units (SI), the metric system is the primary measurement system used worldwide. It was invented to make measurements and calculations easy for everyone to do and understand, regardless of where they were from.
The metric system is widely used in science and engineering.
2. Who invented the metric system?
The metric system was invented by French scientists, who originally called it the “decimal metric system”.
Previously, there were almost 400 different ways to measure land in the country due to local and regional areas having their own traditional units, proving inefficient. Therefore, French scientists created a rational system of units that the entire country and world could use. This included units to measure weight, volume, distance, and even time and how they could be interrelated.
3. When did the metric system start in the UK?
Whether or not the UK should adopt the metric system was discussed in Parliament as far back as 1818, but it wasn’t until the mid-1960s that industries and government agencies started making the switch.
In 1965, a formal government policy was agreed upon in support of metrication, and by 1908, the majority of pre-packaged products were sold using metric units.
The use of alternative units was originally only permitted for a limited period of time. However, due to public resistance, this period was extended several times, and in 2009, the requirement to cease using traditional units, as well as metric units, was removed.
4. When was the metric system invented?
The core principles that make up the metric system have been discussed since as early as 1585. However, the measurement system as we know it today was invented in 1790.
After the French Revolution began in 1789, French scientists looked to create a new method of standard units of measurement to be used in scientific and engineering work.
5. Does the UK use the metric system?
The UK uses the metric system for measuring, as do most other nations in the world.
6. Who uses the metric system?
The metric system is the preferred system of measurement in almost every country worldwide, apart from the USA, Myanmar, and Liberia.
7. What are the units of the metric system?
The base units of the metric system are as follows:
| Measurement | Unit | Symbol |
| Length | Meter | m |
| Area | Square meter | Square m or m2 |
| Area | Are (100 square meters) | a |
| Volume | Cubic meter | Cubic m or m3 |
| Volume | Stere (1cubic meter) | s |
| Weight | Gram | g |
| Weight | Metric ton (1,000,000 grams) | t |
| Capacity | Liter | l |
| Temperature | Degree C | °C |
8. What countries do not use the metric system?
Although the United States was pivotal in creating the metric system, they are one of the few countries in the world that do not officially use it. The USA, Myanmar, and Liberia are the only countries that use the imperial system instead of the metric system.
The USA even has its own version of the imperial system, known as the US customary units. Still, the country incorporates some metric measurements in its day-to-day use. For example, they use kilometers for distance, as opposed to miles.
9. What is the metric system for weight?
The metric system uses the units gram (g), kilogram (kg), and tonne (t) to measure weight.
