Definition
Imperial units
Imperial units are British measurement units such as inches, feet, yards, miles, ounces, pounds, pints, and gallons.
Continue from this idea into connected AXIO math.
What it means
Imperial units measure length, mass, and capacity using relationships such as 12 inches in a foot and 3 feet in a yard. In modern UK maths, they are often compared with or converted approximately to metric units. Always check which system a capacity unit belongs to.
Remember it
12 inches make a foot; 3 feet make a yard.
Example
A ribbon is 2 yards long. Since 1 yard = 3 feet, 2 yards = 6 feet. Since 1 foot = 12 inches, 6 feet = 72 inches. The same length can therefore be written as 2 yards, 6 feet, or 72 inches.
Watch for
Imperial units and US customary units are related but not identical; an imperial pint or gallon is not the same size as its US liquid namesake.
Common mix-up
Metric units such as metres, grams, and litres are not imperial units.
Exact meaning
The imperial system is a system of measurement developed in Britain. Its units include the inch, foot, yard, mile, ounce, pound, pint, and gallon. Some names are also used in US customary measurement, but capacity units such as the pint and gallon have different sizes.