When trading steel internationally, accurate unit conversion is essential. Different countries use metric (mm, cm, m, kg) or imperial (inch, foot, yard, pound) systems. This steel measurement conversion table provides quick and reliable data to help exporters, manufacturers, and engineers calculate dimensions and weights correctly.
1. Length Conversion Table (Metric ↔ Imperial)
Length Conversion
Below is a complete length conversion chart showing the relationship between millimeter (mm), centimeter (cm), meter (m), kilometer (km), inch (in), foot (ft), and yard (yd).
This chart is particularly useful when converting steel plate thickness, bar diameters, or pipe lengths from metric to imperial units.
| Millimeter (mm) | Centimeter (cm) | Meter (m) | Kilometer (km) | Inch (in) | Foot (ft) | Yard (yd) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.1 | 0.001 | 0.000001 | 0.03937 | 0.00328 | 0.00109 |
| 10 | 1 | 0.01 | 0.00001 | 0.3937 | 0.03287 | 0.01093 |
| 1,000 | 100 | 1 | 0.001 | 39.37 | 3.28084 | 1.09361 |
| 1,000,000 | 100,000 | 1,000 | 1 | 39,370 | 3,280.84 | 1,093.61 |
| 25.4 | 2.54 | 0.0254 | 0.00003 | 1 | 0.08333 | 0.02778 |
| 304.8 | 30.48 | 0.3048 | 0.00031 | 12 | 1 | 0.33333 |
| 914.4 | 91.44 | 0.9144 | 0.00091 | 36 | 3 | 1 |
Example Conversions
- 1 inch = 25.4 mm
- 1 meter = 39.37 inches
- 1 foot = 0.3048 m
- 1 yard = 0.9144 m
Usage Example in Steel Trade
When ordering steel pipes from a European supplier, the diameter may be listed in millimeters, while your customer in the U.S. requires inches. Using the table, you can quickly convert:
Example: 50 mm = 1.97 inches
2. Weight Conversion Table (Metric ↔ Imperial)
Weight Conversion
Steel weight is often expressed in kilograms (kg) or metric tons (Tm), but international buyers may require pounds (lb) or short tons. Use this conversion table to easily switch between units.
| Gram (g) | Kilogram (kg) | Metric Ton (Tm) | Ounce (oz) | Pound (lb) | Long Ton (Imperial) | Short Ton (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.001 | 0.000001 | 0.03527 | 0.0022 | 0.00000098 | 0.0000011 |
| 1,000 | 1 | 0.001 | 35.274 | 2.20462 | 0.00098 | 0.0011 |
| 1,000,000 | 1,000 | 1 | 35,274 | 2,204.62 | 0.9842 | 1.1023 |
| 28.35 | 0.02835 | 0.00003 | 1 | 0.0625 | 0.0000279 | 0.0000313 |
| 453.59 | 0.45359 | 0.00045 | 16 | 1 | 0.000446 | 0.0005 |
| 1,016,046 | 1,016.05 | 1.016 | 35,840 | 2,240 | 1 | 1.12 |
| 907,185 | 907.19 | 0.907 | 32,000 | 2,000 | 0.893 | 1 |
Example Conversions
- 1 kg = 2.20462 lb
- 1 metric ton = 2204.62 lb
- 1 short ton = 907.18 kg
- 1 long ton = 1016.05 kg
Usage Example in Steel Trade
If you are exporting steel coils weighing 10 metric tons, and your U.S. buyer requests weight in pounds:
10 metric tons × 2,204.62 = 22,046.2 lb
3. Why Accurate Unit Conversion Matters in Steel Export
In global steel trade, conversions are not just about numbers—they affect:
Freight cost calculations (shipping weight)
Customs declarations
Quotation accuracy
Inventory and logistics
Engineering specifications
An error of even 1% in unit conversion can result in major cost discrepancies in large-scale steel projects.
4. Common Conversion Formulas
| Conversion Type | Formula |
|---|---|
| Inch to Millimeter | mm = inch × 25.4 |
| Millimeter to Inch | inch = mm ÷ 25.4 |
| Meter to Foot | ft = m × 3.28084 |
| Foot to Meter | m = ft × 0.3048 |
| Kilogram to Pound | lb = kg × 2.20462 |
| Pound to Kilogram | kg = lb ÷ 2.20462 |
| Metric Ton to Short Ton | short ton = ton × 1.1023 |
| Metric Ton to Long Ton | long ton = ton × 0.9842 |
5. Conversion Applications in Steel Products
| Steel Product | Typical Measurement Units | Conversion Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Steel Plates | mm (thickness), m (length) | mm ↔ inch conversion for specification sheets |
| Steel Pipes | mm (OD), m (length) | mm ↔ inch for U.S. buyers |
| Steel Coils | kg, ton | kg ↔ lb conversion for shipping documents |
| Steel Bars / Rods | mm, m | m ↔ ft when exporting to imperial markets |
| Structural Steel | m, ton | m ↔ ft and ton ↔ lb conversions |
6. Free Online Steel Unit Converter
In addition to this static conversion table, you can use our [Online Steel Unit Converter] to:
- Instantly convert steel dimensions and weights
- Generate quotations in metric or imperial units
- Simplify global steel trade communication
7. FAQs – Steel Measurement Conversion
Q1: What is the difference between metric and imperial systems?
The metric system uses meters and kilograms, while the imperial system uses inches and pounds. Most Asian and European countries use metric; the U.S. and UK commonly use imperial.
Q2: Why does steel thickness often use millimeters instead of inches?
Millimeters provide more precision for thickness control, which is important in sheet and plate production.
Q3: What is 1 inch steel plate thickness in millimeters?
1 inch = 25.4 mm.
Q4: How do I convert tons to kilograms for steel weight?
1 metric ton = 1,000 kilograms.
Q5: What’s the difference between long ton and short ton?
- Long ton (UK) = 1,016 kg
- Short ton (US) = 907 kg
- Metric ton (International) = 1,000 kg
Q6: Which conversion is most used in global steel export?
Metric-to-imperial conversions, especially mm ↔ inch and kg ↔ lb.
Q7: Is there a formula to calculate steel weight from dimensions?
Yes, the general formula is:
Weight (kg) = Volume (m³) × Density (kg/m³)
For example, carbon steel ≈ 7,850 kg/m³.
8. Conclusion
Accurate measurement conversion ensures transparency, efficiency, and reliability in global steel export trade. Whether you’re calculating the length of steel pipes or the weight of coils, this conversion table simplifies every step of your operation.
By using this page, steel exporters, suppliers, and buyers can minimize errors and communicate effectively across metric and imperial systems—boosting professionalism and client trust.