Convert kilograms and grams
1 kg is 1000 g, so 3 kg is 3000 g.
A kilogram is one thousand grams.
Year 5
Convert between different units of metric measure and understand approximate equivalences between metric units and common imperial units
Convert metric measures accurately and use familiar approximate imperial links where helpful.
Lesson overview
Measurement
Metric units are linked by powers of 10, 100 or 1000. We can convert between them by thinking about the size of the unit and how many of the smaller units fit into the larger one.
Convert litres and millilitres
2.5 litres is 2500 millilitres.
One litre is one thousand millilitres.
Approximate imperial link
A mile is a little more than 1.5 kilometres.
These are useful estimates, not exact conversions.
Worked example
Convert 4.2 kg into grams.
- One kilogram is 1000 grams.
- Four kilograms are 4000 grams.
- Two tenths of a kilogram are 200 grams.
- So 4.2 kg is 4200 g.
Round 1: Learn it
Think about the size of the unit before converting.
Finish this round to unlock Round 2: Show you know it.
Question 1
What is 3 kg in grams?
Question 2
What is 2500 ml in litres?
Question 3
Which is about 1.6 km?
matching unit
Question 4
Convert 4.2 kg to grams.
Question 5
What is 750 cm in metres?
Common mistakes
Watch for these as you work through the lesson.
- Multiplying when the conversion needs dividing.
- Forgetting whether the target unit is larger or smaller.
- Treating approximate imperial links as exact facts.
Related topics
These ideas connect closely to this lesson.
- Measure and calculate the perimeter of composite rectilinear shapes in centimetres and metres.
- Estimate volume and capacity and use all four operations to solve problems involving measure.