Metrication

Quick Facts: Who was Metrication?

Subject:

Metrication

Known for:

The global process of converting local units to the standardized metric system.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Metrication or metrification is the act or process of converting to the metric system of measurement. All over the world, countries have transitioned from local and traditional units of measurement to the metric system. This process began in France during the 1790s and has continued over more than two centuries. As of 2011, about 95% of the world's population lived in countries where the modern metric system was the only legal system of measurement. Certain countries and sectors are nonetheless either still transitioning or have chosen not to fully adopt the metric system.

Career & Major Achievements

The process of metrication is typically initiated and overseen by a country's government, generally motivated by the necessity of establishing a uniform measurement system for effective international cooperation in fields like trade and science. Governments achieve metrication through either mandatory changes to existing units within a specified timeframe or through voluntary adoption. While metric use is mandatory in some countries and voluntary in others, all countries have recognised and adopted the SI, albeit to different degrees, including the United States. According to the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), only three countries do not have mandatory metric laws: Liberia, Myanmar and the United States. A research paper by Vera (2011) identified further countries where metric use was not mandatory in practice, including the three Compact of Free Association states: the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 2013, the Myanmar Ministry of Commerce announced that Myanmar was preparing to adopt the metric system as the country's official system of measurement, and metrication in Myanmar began, with some progress made (road signs and temperature are legislated to be in metric), although there has been very little progress in local trade. In 2018, the Liberian government had pledged to adopt the metric system. The Liberia Standards Authority, established by law in 2022 and operationalised in 2024, replaced the country's National Standards Laboratory and was given responsibility for national measurement in trade and for traceability to SI units. As of 2026, the United States has a national policy of adopting the metric system based on the Metric Conversion Act of 1975, amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, and Presidential Executive Order 12770 of 1991, and all United States government agencies are required to adopt it. The metrication process can take years to implement and complete: for instance, Guyana adopted the metric system in 2002 and was only able to make it mandatory in local trade 2017 after the metric system was fully adopted in schools.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 2002: 2002 Milestone — The metrication process can take years to implement and complete: for instance, Guyana adopted the metric system in 2002 and was only able to make it mandatory in local trade 2017 after the metric system was fully adopted in schools.
2. 2011: 2011 Milestone — As of 2011, about 95% of the world's population lived in countries where the modern metric system was the only legal system of measurement.
3. 2013: 2013 Milestone — In 2013, the Myanmar Ministry of Commerce announced that Myanmar was preparing to adopt the metric system as the country's official system of measurement, and metrication in Myanmar began, with some progress made (road signs and temperature are legislated to be in metric), although there has been very little progress in local trade.
4. 2018: 2018 Milestone — In 2018, the Liberian government had pledged to adopt the metric system.
5. 2022: 2022 Milestone — The Liberia Standards Authority, established by law in 2022 and operationalised in 2024, replaced the country's National Standards Laboratory and was given responsibility for national measurement in trade and for traceability to SI units.
6. 2026: 2026 Milestone — As of 2026, the United States has a national policy of adopting the metric system based on the Metric Conversion Act of 1975, amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, and Presidential Executive Order 12770 of 1991, and all United States government agencies are required to adopt it.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Metrication

True or False: “Did the United Kingdom immediately and completely adopt the metric system across all sectors after its initial efforts?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The UK began metricating in 1965 but decided against further compulsory conversion in 1979, retaining imperial units for some uses.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Metrication