Different countries use different measuring systems and typically the USA uses the standard/English/Imperial system and the UK uses the Metric system. It is possible to get calculators to make the conversions but the ones that use fractions are not so easy to find. Below is the conversion chart we use for all our publications and it gives the best results for woodworkers when sizing wood. If you want to do hardware conversions this will not work so well and you will need to find the nearest metric equivalent that the hardware manufacturers in your country makes.
If the measurement conversion you require is not listed below simple find two, or more, measurements (in your measuring system) that will add together to make up the measurement you want, then add them and their conversions together to get the resulting conversion.
If you wish to save a copy for reference, right-click on the image and select ‘save image as’.
Quick Reference for Common Conversions
Here are a few common measurements used in woodworking, with approximate equivalents:
- 1 inch = 25.4 mm
- 2 feet = 60.96 cm
- 3/4 inch = 19.05 mm
- 10 mm = just under 3/8 inch
- 1 metre = 3 feet 3⅜ inches
For more, see the full chart below.
Tips for Using the Chart
- Always double-check your measurements before cutting.
- Where possible, use the same system throughout a project to avoid errors.
- Keep a printed version of the chart in your workshop for quick reference.
- Consider marking both metric and imperial on your measuring tools if you work across systems.
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