A millimicron is one thousandth of one millionth of one meter.
Most of the world uses the metric system. The only countries not on this system are the U.S., Myanmar, and Liberia.
The metric system is based on 10s. For example, 10 decimeters make a meter (39.37 inches).
Units smaller than a meter have Latin prefixes:
- Deci- means 10; 10 decimeters make a meter.
- Centi- means 100; 100 centimeters make a meter.
- Milli- means 1,000; 1,000 millimeters make a meter.
Units larger than a meter have Greek prefixes:
- Deka- means 10; a dekameter is 10 meters.
- Hecto- means 100; a hectometer is 100 meters.
- Kilo- means 1,000; a kilometer is 1,000 meters.
Helpful Hints
Remember: A meter is a little more than a yard. A kilometer is less than a mile. A liter is a little more than a quart.
The Metric System
Length
Kilometer (km) | 1,000 Meters |
Hectometer (hm) | 100 Meters |
Dekameter (dam) | 10 Meters |
Meter (m) | 1 Meter |
Decimeter (dm) | 0.1 Meter |
Centimeter (cm) | 0.01 Meters |
Millimeter (mm) | 0.001 Meters |
Capacity
Kiloliter (kl) | 1,000 Liters |
Hectoliters (hl) | 100 Liters |
Dekaliters (dal) | 10 Liters |
Liter (l) | 1 Liter(*) |
Deciliter (dl) | 0.10 Liters |
Centiliter (cl) | 0.01 Liters |
Milliliter (ml) | 0.001 Liters |
* 1 liter + U.S. 1.057 quarts |
Mass and Weight
Metric Ton | 1,000,000 Grams |
Quintal (P) | 100,000 Grams |
Myriagram | 10,000 Grams |
Kilogram | 1,000 Grams |
Hectogram | 100 Grams |
Dekagram | 10 Grams |
Gram | 1 Gram(*) |
Decigram | 0.10 Grams |
Centigram | 0.01 Grams |
Milligrams | 0.001 Grams |
* 1 gram + U.S. 0.035 ounces |
Skip to content
A millimeter
(mm) is the smallest. In order from smallest to largest they rank millimeter, centimeter (cm), decimeter (dm), and meter (m). These are all common units of length in the metric system. A millimeter is one-thousandth of a meter. A centimeter is one-hundredth of a meter. A decimeter is one-tenth of a meter. The metric system was created about 200 years ago by French scientists who wanted to simplify measurements. Every measurement unit is a factor of ten smaller or larger than the
closest other measurement unit. This makes it easy to convert between different metric units of measurement. The prefix of any measurement describes the relationship between the main measurement. For example a milliliter is also one-thousandth of a liter. MORE FROM REFERENCE.COM
To convert decimeters to centimeters (dm to cm) or to convert centimeters to decimeters (cm to dm), you may use the converter above. Alternatively, to find out how many centimeters there are in "x" decimeters, you may use the decimeters to centimeters table.
Below, you will find information of how to convert dm to cm and how to convert cm to dm, including the formulas and example conversions.
How many centimeters in a decimeter?
1 Decimeter (dm) is equal to 10 centimeters (cm). To convert decimeters to centimeters, multiply the decimeter value by 10.
For example, to find out how many centimeters there are in 2 decimeters, multiply 2 by 10, that makes 20 cm in 2 dm.
dm to cm formula
cm = dm * 10
How to convert centimeters to decimeters?
1 Centimeter (cm) is equal to 0.1 decimeter (dm). To convert centimeters to decimeters, multiply the centimeter value by 0.1 or divide by 10.
For example, to convert 5 cm to dm, multiply 5 by 0.1, that makes 0.5 dm in 5 cm.
cm to dm formula
dm = cm * 0.1
dm = cm / 10
What is a Centimeter?
Centimeter (centimetre) is a metric system length unit. 1 cm = 0.1 dm. The symbol is "cm".
What is a Decimeter?
Decimeter (decimetre) is a metric system length unit. 1 dm = 10 cm. The symbol is "dm".
Please visit all length units conversion to convert all length units.
Create Conversion Table
Click "Create Table". Enter a "Start" value (5, 100 etc). Select an "Increment" value (0.01, 5 etc) and select "Accuracy" to round the result.