Welcome to the Metric System!

In Germany, and throughout Europe and much of the world, the system of measure known as the metric system is used. This system is based on base measurements in weight, distance, volume and area and measured in increments of 10, 100 and 1,000.

For those using the metric system for the first time, it can be confusing, but the charts below will help with converting most of the commonly used measurements. There is also a list of common measures such as room temperature, in town and out of town driving speeds, freezing water and more common everyday use measurements.

Common quick approximate conversions:

One Gallon is a little less than 4 liters
One liter is just over four cups
One kilometer is a little more than half a mile
Plastic bottled drinks in Germany are typically .5 liters or 1.5 liters
Glass bottled nonalcoholic drinks (water, fruit juices) are typically one liter, and bottled beer is typically .5 liter
130 kilometers an hour (highest recommended speed on the autobahn) is about 80 miles per hour’
100 Kilometers an hour (speed for non-autobahn highways unless otherwise marked) is about 60 miles per hour
50 kilometers an hour (in-town speed limit throughout most of Germany) is about 30 miles per hour

Converting Metric to U.S.

Converting U.S. to Metric

Converting Temperatures

°C = (°F – 32) ÷ 1.8
°F = (°C x 1.8) + 32

Celsius = Fahrenheit: 

110°C = 225°F
120°C = 250°F
140°C = 275°F
150°C = 300°F
160°C = 325°F
180°C = 350°F
190°C = 375°F
200°C = 400°F

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