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{{Short description|Decimal-based systems of measurement with 7 base units defined by physical constants}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2021}}
{{Good article}}
{{For outline|Outline of the metric system}}
[[File:FourMetricInstruments.JPG|thumb|upright=1.2|A [[kilogram]] mass and three metric measuring devices: a [[tape measure]] in [[centimetre]]s, a [[thermometer]] in [[Celsius|degrees Celsius]], and a [[multimeter]] that measures potential in [[volt]]s, current in [[ampere]]s and resistance in [[ohm]]s.]]

The '''metric system''' is a [[system of measurement]] that [[standardization|standardizes]] a set of base units and a [[nomenclature]] for describing relatively large and small quantities via [[decimal]]-based multiplicative [[unit prefix]]es. Though the rules governing the metric system have changed over time, the modern definition, the [[International System of Units]] (SI), defines the [[metric prefix]]es and seven base units: [[metre]] (m), [[kilogram]] (kg), [[second]] (s), [[ampere]] (A), [[kelvin]] (K), [[Mole (unit)|mole]] (mol), and [[candela]] (cd).<ref name=SI2019>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bipm.org/utils/common/pdf/si-brochure/SI-Brochure-9-EN.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530124226/https://www.bipm.org/utils/common/pdf/si-brochure/SI-Brochure-9-EN.pdf |archive-date=2019-05-30 |url-status=live|title=The International System of Units (SI), 9th Edition|date=2019|publisher=Bureau International des Poids et Mesures}}</ref>

An [[SI derived unit]] is a named combination of base units such as [[hertz]] (cycles per second), [[Newton (unit)|newton]] (kg⋅m/s<sup>2</sup>), and [[tesla (unit)|tesla]] (1&nbsp;kg⋅s<sup>−2</sup>⋅A<sup>−1</sup>) and in the case of [[Celsius]] a shifted scale from Kelvin. Certain units have been [[Non-SI units mentioned in the SI#Units officially accepted for use with the SI|officially accepted for use with the SI]]. Some of these are decimalised, like the [[litre]] and [[electronvolt]], and are considered "metric". Others, like the [[astronomical unit]] are not. Ancient non-metric but SI-accepted multiples of time, [[minute]] and [[hour]], are base 60 ([[sexagesimal]]). Similarly, the angular measure [[Degree (angle)|degree]] and submultiples, 
[[arcminute]], and [[arcsecond]], are also sexagesimal and SI-accepted.

The SI system derives from the older [[MKS units|metre, kilogram, second]] (MKS) system of units, though the definition of the base units has evolved over time. Today, all base units are defined by [[physical constant]]s; not by example as physical objects as they were in the past.

Other metric system variants include the [[centimetre–gram–second system of units]], the [[metre–tonne–second system of units]], and the [[gravitational metric system]]. Each has [[List of metric units#Other metric units|unaffiliated metric units]]. Some of these systems are still used in limited contexts.

==Adoption==
[[File:Metric and imperial systems (2019).svg|thumb|400x400px|Units in everyday use by country as of 2019]]

The SI system has been adopted as the official system of weights and measures by most countries in the world.

A notable outlier is the [[United States]] (US). Although used in some contexts, the US has resisted full adoption; continuing to use "a conglomeration of basically [[Imperial and US customary measurement systems|incoherent measurement systems]]".<ref>{{cite book |last=Gullberg |first=Jan |author-link=Jan Gullberg |title=Mathematics from the Birth of Numbers |publisher=W. W. Norton and Company |location=New York and London |year=1997 |isbn=978-0-393-04002-9 |page=52 |chapter=2.4 Decimal Position System}}</ref>

Adopting the metric system is known as [[metrication]].

==Multiplicative prefixes==
{{Main|Metric prefix}}

In the SI system and generally in older metric systems, multiples and fractions of a unit can be described via a prefix on a unit name that implies a decimal (base-10), multiplicative factor. The only exceptions are for the SI-accepted units of time (minute and hour) and angle (degree, arcminute, arcsecond) which, based on ancient convention, use base-60 multipliers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Non-SI units accepted for use with SI |url=https://metricsystem.net/non-si-units/accepted-for-use-with-si/ |website=Metric System |date=26 July 2018 |access-date=10 July 2023}}</ref>
{{common metric prefixes}}
The prefix ''kilo'', for example, implies a factor of 1000 (10<sup>3</sup>), and the prefix ''milli'' implies a factor of 1/1000 (10<sup>−3</sup>). Thus, a ''kilometre'' is a thousand metres, and a ''milligram'' is one thousandth of a gram. These relations can be written symbolically as:<ref name=SI_prefix>{{SIbrochure8th|pages=121,122}}</ref>
{{block indent|1=1&nbsp;km = 1000&nbsp;m}}
{{block indent|1=1&nbsp;mg = 0.001&nbsp;g}}

==Base units==

The [[Decimal|decimalised system]] is based on the [[metre]], which had been introduced in [[French Revolution|France in the 1790s]]. The historical development of these systems culminated in the definition of the [[International System of Units]] (SI) in the mid-20th century, under the oversight of an international standards body.

The historical evolution of metric systems has resulted in the recognition of several principles. A set of independent dimensions of nature is selected, in terms of which all natural quantities can be expressed, called base quantities. For each of these dimensions, a representative quantity is defined as a [[base unit (measurement)|base unit]] of measure. The definition of base units has increasingly been [[realisation (metrology)|realised]] in terms of fundamental natural phenomena, in preference to copies of physical artefacts. A unit [[SI derived unit|derived]] from the base units is used for expressing quantities of dimensions that can be derived from the base dimensions of the system—e.g., the square metre is the derived unit for area, which is derived from length. These derived units are [[Coherence (units of measurement)|coherent]], which means that they involve only products of powers of the base units, without any further factors. For any given quantity whose unit has a name and symbol, an extended set of smaller and larger units is defined that are related by factors of powers of ten. The unit of time should be the [[second]]; the unit of [[length]] should be either the metre or a decimal multiple of it; and the unit of mass should be the gram or a decimal multiple of it.

Metric systems have evolved since the 1790s, as science and technology have evolved, in providing a single universal measuring system. Before and in addition to the SI, other metric systems include: the [[MKS system of units]] and the [[Giovanni Giorgi#The Giorgi system|MKSA]] systems, which are the direct forerunners of the SI; the [[Centimetre–gram–second system of units|centimetre–gram–second (CGS)]] system and its subtypes, the [[Centimetre–gram–second system of units#Electrostatic units (ESU)|CGS electrostatic]] (cgs-esu) system, the [[Centimetre–gram–second system of units#Electromagnetic units (EMU)|CGS electromagnetic]] (cgs-emu) system, and their still-popular blend, the [[Gaussian units|Gaussian system]]; the [[metre–tonne–second system of units|metre–tonne–second (MTS)]] system; and the [[gravitational metric system]]s, which can be based on either the metre or the centimetre, and either the gram, gram-force, kilogram or kilogram-force.

==Attributes==

===Ease of learning and use===
The metric system is intended to be easy to use and widely applicable, including units based on the natural world, decimal ratios, prefixes for multiples and sub-multiples, and a structure of base and derived units.

It is a [[coherent system]] with [[derived units]] built from base units using logical rather than empirical relationships and with multiples and submultiples of both units based on decimal factors and identified by a [[metric prefix|common set of prefixes]].<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|pages=15–18}}

===Extensibility===
The metric system is extensible since the governing body reviews, modifies and extends it needs arise. For example, the [[katal]], a derived unit for catalytic activity equivalent to one [[mole (unit)|mole]] per second (1&nbsp;mol/s), was added in 1999.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Dybkær |first=René |date=2002-03-01 |title=The Tortuous Road to the Adoption of katal for the Expression of Catalytic Activity by the General Conference on Weights and Measures |journal=Clinical Chemistry |volume=48 |issue=3 |pages=586–590 |doi=10.1093/clinchem/48.3.586 |issn=0009-9147 |pmid=11861460|doi-access=free }}</ref>

=== Realisation ===
{{See also|Realisation (metrology)}}

The base units used in a measurement system must be [[Realisation (metrology)|realisable]]. To that end, the definition of each SI base unit is accompanied by a ''mise en pratique'' (practical realisation) that describes at least one way that the unit can be measured.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.bipm.org/en/si/new_si/mise-en-pratique.html |title = What is a ''mise en pratique''? |publisher = [[BIPM]] |year=2011 |access-date = 11 March 2011}}</ref> Where possible, definitions of the base units were developed so that any laboratory equipped with proper instruments would be able to realise a standard without reliance on an artefact held by another country.  In practice, such realisation is done under the auspices of a [[International Organization of Legal Metrology#Conformance Certification|mutual acceptance arrangement]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oiml.org/maa/ |title=OIML Mutual Acceptance Arrangement (MAA) |publisher=[[International Organization of Legal Metrology]] |access-date=23 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521131225/http://www.oiml.org/maa/ |archive-date=21 May 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Kilometre definition.svg|right|thumb|The [[metre]] was originally defined to be ''one ten millionth'' of the distance between the [[North Pole]] and the [[Equator]] through [[Paris]].<ref name="Alder">{{cite book |last=Alder |first=Ken |title=The Measure of all Things—The Seven-Year-Odyssey That Transformed the World |publisher=Abacus |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-349-11507-8 |location=London}}</ref>]]

In 1791 the commission originally defined the [[metre]] based on the size of the earth, equal to one ten-millionth of the distance from the equator to the North Pole. In the SI, the standard [[metre]] is now defined as exactly {{frac|1|{{val|299,792,458}}}} of the distance that light travels in a [[second]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bipm.org/en/committees/cg/cgpm/17-1983/resolution-1 |title=17th General Conference on Weights and Measures (1983), Resolution 1. |access-date=17 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=20 May 2019|title=Mise en pratique for the definition of the metre in the SI|url=https://www.bipm.org/documents/20126/41489670/SI-App2-metre.pdf/0e011055-9736-d293-5e56-b8b1b267fd68?version=1.8&t=1637238031486&download=false|website=BIPM |access-date=17 June 2023}}</ref> The metre can be realised by measuring the length that a light wave travels in a given time, or equivalently by measuring the wavelength of light of a known frequency.<ref>{{cite conference |last1=Lewis |first1=A. |title=1983 realisation of the metre definition |publisher=National Physical Laboratory |conference=Varenna Summer School |url=https://static.sif.it/SIF/resources/public/files/va2019/Lewis2.pdf |access-date=10 July 2023 |page=15 |date=4 July 2019}}</ref>

The [[kilogram]] was originally defined as the mass of one cubic decimetre of water at 4&nbsp;°C, standardised as the mass of a man-made artefact of platinum–iridium held in a laboratory in France, which was used until a [[2019 revision of the SI|new definition was introduced in May 2019]]. Replicas made in 1879 at the time of the artefact's fabrication and distributed to signatories of the [[Metre Convention]] serve as ''de facto'' standards of mass in those countries. Additional replicas have been fabricated since as additional countries have joined the convention.  The replicas were subject to periodic validation by comparison to the original, called the [[International Prototype of the Kilogram|IPK]]. It became apparent that either the IPK or the replicas or both were deteriorating, and are no longer comparable: they had diverged by 50&nbsp;μg since fabrication, so figuratively, the accuracy of the kilogram was no better than 5 parts in a hundred million or a relative accuracy of {{val|5|e=-8}}. The [[2019 revision of the SI|revision of the SI]] replaced the IPK with an exact definition of the [[Planck constant]] as expressed in SI units, which defines the kilogram in terms of fundamental constants.<ref>{{cite web |date=16 November 2018 |title=The Latest: Landmark Change to Kilogram Approved |url=https://apnews.com/e6991383703e4ad5a9570d97b0e57822 |access-date=17 June 2023 |website=AP News |publisher=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 July 2021 |title=Mise en pratique for the definition of the kilogram in the SI |url=https://www.bipm.org/documents/20126/41489673/SI-App2-kilogram.pdf/5881b6b5-668d-5d2b-f12a-0ef8ca437176?version=1.9&t=1637237674882&download=false |access-date=17 June 2023 |website=BIPM}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Resnick |first1=Brian |title=The new kilogram just debuted. It's a massive achievement. |url=https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2019/5/17/18627757/kilogram-redefined-world-metrology-day-explained |work=Vox |date=20 May 2019 |access-date=17 June 2023}}</ref>

=== Base and derived unit structure ===
{{Main|Base unit (measurement)}}
{{See also|SI derived unit}}
A base quantity is one of a conventionally chosen subset of physical quantities, where no quantity in the subset can be expressed in terms of the others. A base unit is a unit adopted for expressing a base quantity. A derived unit is used for expressing any other quantity, and is a product of powers of base units. For example, in the modern metric system, length has the unit metre and time has the unit second, and speed has the derived unit metre per second.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=15}} Density, or mass per unit volume, has the unit kilogram per cubic metre.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=434}}

=== Decimal ratios ===
A significant characteristic of the metric system is its use of decimal multiples {{endash}} powers of 10. For example, a length that is significantly longer or shorter than 1 metre can be represented in units that are a power of 10 or 1000 metres. This differs from many older systems in which the ratio of different units varied. For example, 12 [[inch]]es is one [[foot (unit)|foot]], but the larger unit in the same system, the [[mile]] is not a power of 12 feet. It is 5,280 feet {{endash}} which is hard to remember for many.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=17}}

In the early days, multipliers that were positive powers of ten were given Greek-derived prefixes such as  ''kilo-'' and ''mega-'', and those that were negative powers of ten were given Latin-derived prefixes such as ''centi-'' and ''milli-''. However, 1935 extensions to the prefix system did not follow this convention: the prefixes ''nano-'' and ''micro-'', for example have Greek roots.<ref name="McGreevy v2">{{cite book |title = The Basis of Measurement: Volume 2—Metrication and Current Practice |isbn = 978-0-948251-84-9 |publisher = Picton Publishing |location = Chippenham |year = 1997 |first1 = Thomas |last1 = McGreevy |editor1-first = Peter |editor1-last = Cunningham}}</ref>{{rp|222–223}} During the 19th century the prefix [[Non-SI unit prefix#Obsolete prefixes|''myria-'']], derived from the Greek word μύριοι (''mýrioi''), was used as a multiplier for {{val|10000}}.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/edinburghencyclo07brew |title=The Edinburgh Encyclopædia |first1=D. |last1=Brewster |page=[https://archive.org/details/edinburghencyclo07brew/page/494 494] |year=1830 }}</ref>

When applying prefixes to derived units of area and volume that are expressed in terms of units of length squared or cubed, the square and cube operators are applied to the unit of length including the prefix, as illustrated below.<ref name=SI_prefix />
{| style="margin-left:3em !important; white-space:nowrap"
|-
|1&nbsp;mm<sup>2</sup> (square millimetre)         ||= (1&nbsp;mm)<sup>2</sup>&nbsp;||= (0.001&nbsp;m)<sup>2</sup>&nbsp;||= {{val|0.000001|u=m2}}
|-
|1&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> ([[square kilometre]])&nbsp;||= (1&nbsp;km)<sup>2</sup>      ||= (1000&nbsp;m)<sup>2</sup>       ||= {{val|1000000|u=m2}}
|-
|1&nbsp;mm<sup>3</sup> (cubic millimetre)          ||= (1&nbsp;mm)<sup>3</sup>      ||= (0.001&nbsp;m)<sup>3</sup>      ||= {{val|0.000000001|u=m3}}
|-
|1&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup> (cubic kilometre)           ||= (1&nbsp;km)<sup>3</sup>      ||= (1000&nbsp;m)<sup>3</sup>       ||= {{val|1000000000|u=m3}}
|}

For the most part, the metric prefixes are used uniformly for SI base, derived and accepted units. A notable exception is that for a large measure of seconds, the non-SI units of [[minute]], [[hour]] and [[day]] are customary instead. Units of duration longer than a day are problematic since both month and year have varying number of days. Sub-second measures are often indicated via submultiple prefixes. For example, [[millisecond]].<ref name=SI_prefix />

=== Coherence ===
{{Main|Coherence (units of measurement)}}
[[File:James Clerk Maxwell.jpg|thumb|upright|[[James Clerk Maxwell]] played a major role in developing the concept of a coherent CGS system and in extending the metric system to include electrical units.]]
Each variant of the metric system has a degree of coherence—the derived units are directly related to the base units without the need for intermediate conversion factors.<ref>{{citation
| author = Working Group 2 of the Joint Committee for Guides in Metrology (JCGM/WG 2).
| publisher = [[International Bureau of Weights and Measures]] (BIPM) on behalf of the Joint Committee for Guides in Metrology
| year = 2008
| url = http://www.bipm.org/utils/common/documents/jcgm/JCGM_200_2008.pdf
| title = International vocabulary of metrology – Basic and general concepts and associated terms (VIM)
| edition = 3rd
| at = 1.12
|access-date = 12 April 2012}}</ref> For example, in a coherent system the units of [[force]], [[energy]], and [[Power (physics)|power]] are chosen so that the equations
{| style="margin-left:3em !important"
|-
| ''force''  || = || ''mass''  || × || ''acceleration''
|-
| ''energy'' || = || ''force'' || × || ''distance''
|-
| ''energy'' || = || ''power'' || × || ''time''
|}
hold without the introduction of unit conversion factors. Once a set of coherent units has been defined, other relationships in physics that use this set of units will automatically be true. Therefore, [[Albert Einstein|Einstein]]'s [[Mass–energy equivalence|mass–energy equation]], {{nowrap|1=''E'' = ''mc''{{i sup|2}}}}, does not require extraneous constants when expressed in coherent units.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.unc.edu/~mgood/research/RestEnergy.pdf
 |title=Some Derivations of ''E'' = ''mc''<sup>2</sup>
 |first1=Michael
 |last1=Good
 |access-date=18 March 2011
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107023429/https://www.unc.edu/~mgood/research/RestEnergy.pdf
 |archive-date=7 November 2011
}}</ref>

The [[centimetre–gram–second system of units|CGS system]] had two units of energy, the [[erg]] that was related to [[mechanics]] and the [[calorie]] that was related to [[thermal energy]]; so only one of them (the erg) could bear a coherent relationship to the base units. Coherence was a design aim of SI, which resulted in only one unit of energy being defined – the [[joule]].<ref name=SI_units>{{SIbrochure8th|pages = 111–120}}</ref>

=== Rationalisation ===
Maxwell's equations of electromagnetism contained a factor of <math>1/(4\pi)</math> relating to [[steradian]]s, representative of the fact that electric charges and magnetic fields may be considered to emanate from a point and propagate equally in all directions, i.e. spherically. This factor made equations more awkward than necessary, and so [[Oliver Heaviside]] suggested adjusting the system of units to remove it.<ref name=":1" />

==Everyday notions==
The basic units of the metric system have always represented commonplace quantities or relationships in nature; even with modern refinements of definition and methodology. In cases where laboratory precision may not be required or available, or where approximations are good enough, the commonplace notions may suffice.

===Time===
The second is readily determined from the Earth's rotation period. Unlike other units, time multiples are not decimal. A second is {{sfrac|1|60}} of a minute, which is {{sfrac|1|60}} of an hour, which is {{sfrac|1|24}} of a day, so a second is {{sfrac|1|{{val|86400}}}} of a day.

===Length===
The length of the [[equator]] is close to {{val|40000000|u=metres}} (more precisely {{val|40075014.2|u=metres}}).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Science |first1=Tim Sharp 2017-09-15T15:47:00Z |last2=Astronomy |title=How Big Is Earth? |url=https://www.space.com/17638-how-big-is-earth.html |access-date=22 October 2019 |website=Space.com}}</ref> In fact, the dimensions of our planet were used by the French Academy in the original definition of the metre.<ref>{{cite web |title=Metre {{!}} measurement |url=https://www.britannica.com/science/metre-measurement |access-date=22 October 2019 |website=Encyclopedia Britannica}}</ref> A dining tabletop is typically about 0.75 metres high.<ref>{{cite web |title=Standard Table Sizes |url=https://www.bassettfurniture.com/blog/standard-table-sizes.aspx |access-date=22 October 2019 |website=Bassett Furniture}}</ref> A very tall human is about 2 metres tall.<ref>{{cite web |date=9 December 2018 |title=The Average Height of NBA Players – From Point Guards to Centers |url=https://www.thehoopsgeek.com/average-nba-height/ |access-date=22 October 2019 |website=The Hoops Geek}}</ref>

===Mass===
A [[1 euro coin|1-euro coin]] weighs 7.5&nbsp;g;<ref>{{cite web |title=RUBINGHSCIENCE.ORG / Using Euro coins as weights |url=http://www.rubinghscience.org/surv/euroweights1.html |access-date=22 October 2019 |website=www.rubinghscience.org}}</ref> a [[Sacagawea dollar|Sacagawea US 1-dollar coin]] weighs 8.1&nbsp;g;<ref>{{cite web |date=20 September 2016 |title=Coin Specifications {{!}} U.S. Mint |url=https://www.usmint.gov/learn/coin-and-medal-programs/coin-specifications |access-date=22 October 2019 |website=www.usmint.gov}}</ref> a [[Fifty pence (British coin)|UK 50-pence coin]] weighs 8.0&nbsp;g.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fifty Pence Coin |url=https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/fifty-pence-coin/ |access-date=22 October 2019 |website=www.royalmint.com}}</ref>

===Temperature===
In every day use, Celsius is more commonly used than Kelvin, however a temperature difference of one Kelvin is the same as one degree Celsius and that is defined as {{sfrac|1|100}} of the temperature differential between the freezing and boiling points of water at [[sea level]]. A temperature in Kelvin is the temperature in Celsius plus about 273. [[Human body temperature]] is about 37&nbsp;°C or 310&nbsp;K.

===Length, mass, volume relationship===
The mass of a litre of cold water is 1 kilogram. 1 millilitre of water occupies 1 cubic centimetre and weighs 1 gram.

===Candela and Watt relationship===
Candela is about the luminous intensity of a moderately bright candle, or 1 candle power. A 60&nbsp;[[Watt]] tungsten-filament [[incandescent light bulb]] has a luminous intensity of about 800 lumens<ref>{{cite web|title=Lumens and the Lighting Facts Label|url=https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/save-electricity-and-fuel/lighting-choices-save-you-money/lumens-and-lighting-facts|access-date=11 June 2020|website=Energy.gov|language=en}}</ref> which is radiated equally in all directions (i.e. 4{{pi}} steradians), thus is equal to {{math|''I''<sub>v</sub> {{=}} {{sfrac|800 lm|4{{pi}} sr}} ≈ 64 cd}}.

===Watt, Volt and Ampere relationship===
A 60&nbsp;W incandescent light bulb consumes 0.5&nbsp;A at 120&nbsp;V (US mains voltage). A 60&nbsp;W bulb rated at 230&nbsp;V (European mains voltage) consumes 0.26&nbsp;A at this voltage. This is evident from the formula {{math|''P'' {{=}} ''I'' ''V''}}.

===Mole and mass relationship===
A mole of a substance has a mass that is its [[molecular mass]] expressed in units of grams. The mass of a mole of carbon is 12.0&nbsp;g, and the mass of a mole of table salt is 58.4&nbsp;g.

Since all gases have the same volume per mole at a given temperature and pressure far from their points of liquefaction and solidification (see [[Perfect gas]]), and air is about {{sfrac|1|5}} oxygen (molecular mass 32) and {{sfrac|4|5}} nitrogen (molecular mass 28), the density of any near-perfect gas relative to air can be obtained to a good approximation by dividing its molecular mass by 29 (because {{nowrap|{{sfrac|4|5}} × 28 + {{sfrac|1|5}} × 32 {{=}} 28.8 ≈ 29}}). For example, [[carbon monoxide]] (molecular mass 28) has almost the same density as air.

==History==
{{Main|History of the metric system}}
[[File:BIPM courtyard.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|[[Pavillon de Breteuil]], Saint-Cloud, France, the home of the metric system since 1875]]
The [[French Revolution]] (1789–99) enabled France to reform its many outdated systems of various local weights and measures. In 1790, [[Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord]] proposed a new system based on natural units to the [[National Assembly (France)|French National Assembly]], aiming for global adoption. With the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]] not responding to a request to collaborate in the development of the system, the [[French Academy of Sciences]] established a commission to implement this new standard alone, and in 1799, the new system was launched in France.<ref name="McGreevy v1">{{cite book |title=The Basis of Measurement: Volume 1—Historical Aspects |isbn=978-0-948251-82-5 |publisher=Picton Publishing |location=Chippenham |year=1995 |first1=Thomas |last1=McGreevy |editor1-first=Peter |editor1-last=Cunningham}}</ref>{{rp|145–149}}

A number of different metric systems have been developed, all using the ''Mètre des Archives'' and ''Kilogramme des Archives'' (or their descendants) as their base units, but differing in the definitions of the various derived units.

{| class="wikitable floatright" style="font-size: 95%; width:230px;"
|+Variants of the metric system<!-- without gravitational ones, mechanical units-->
! Measure
! SI/MKS
! {{abbrlink|CGS|Centimetre–gram–second system of units}}
! {{abbrlink|MTS|Metre–tonne–second system of units}}
|-
|[[distance]]
| metre {{br}}(m)
| centimetre {{br}}(cm)
| metre {{br}}(m)
|-
|[[mass]]
| kilogram {{br}}(kg)
| gram {{br}}(g)
| [[tonne]] {{br}}(t)
|-
|[[time]]
| second {{br}}(s)
| second {{br}}(s)
| second {{br}}(s)
|-
|[[velocity]]
| m/s
| cm/s
| m/s
|-
|[[acceleration]]
| m/s<sup>2</sup>
| [[Gal (unit)|gal {{br}}(Gal)]]
| m/s<sup>2</sup>
|-
|[[force]]
| [[newton (unit)|newton (N)]]
| [[dyne]] {{br}}(dyn)
| [[sthene]] {{br}}(sn)
|-
|[[pressure]]
| [[pascal (unit)|pascal (Pa)]]
| [[barye]] {{br}}(Ba)
| [[pièze]] {{br}}(pz)
|-
|[[Power (physics)|energy]]
| [[joule]] {{br}}(J)
| [[erg]] {{br}}(erg)
| kilojoule {{br}}(kJ)
|-
|[[Power (physics)|power]]
| [[watt]] {{br}}(W)
| erg/s {{br}}(erg/s)
| kilowatt {{br}}(kW)
|-
|[[viscosity]]
| Pa⋅s
| [[Poise (unit)|poise]] {{br}}(P)
| pz⋅s
|}

=== 19th century ===
In 1832, Gauss used the astronomical second as a base unit in defining the gravitation of the Earth, and together with the milligram and millimetre, this became [[Gaussian units|the first system of mechanical units]]. He showed that the strength of a magnet could also be quantified in terms of these units, by measuring the oscillations of a magnetised needle and finding the quantity of "magnetic fluid" that produces an acceleration of one unit when applied to a unit mass.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=O'Hara |first=James Gabriel |date=1983 |title=Gauss and the Royal Society: The Reception of His Ideas on Magnetism in Britain (1832-1842) |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/531344 |journal=Notes and Records of the Royal Society of London |volume=38 |issue=1 |pages=17–78 |doi=10.1098/rsnr.1983.0002 |jstor=531344 |s2cid=145724822 |issn=0035-9149}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Van Baak |first=D. A. |date=October 2013 |title=Re-creating Gauss's method for non-electrical absolute measurements of magnetic fields and moments |url=https://pubs.aip.org/aapt/ajp/article/81/10/738-744/1057517 |journal=American Journal of Physics |language=en |volume=81 |issue=10 |pages=738–744 |doi=10.1119/1.4816806 |bibcode=2013AmJPh..81..738V |issn=0002-9505}}</ref> The [[centimetre–gram–second system of units]] (CGS) was the first coherent metric system, having been developed in the 1860s and promoted by Maxwell and Thomson. In 1874, this system was formally promoted by the [[British Association for the Advancement of Science]] (BAAS).<ref name=SI_1_8>{{SIBrochure8th|page=109}}</ref> The system's characteristics are that density is expressed in {{nowrap|g/cm<sup>3</sup>}}, force expressed in [[dyne]]s and mechanical energy in [[erg]]s. Thermal energy was defined in [[calorie]]s, one calorie being the energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of water from 15.5&nbsp;°C to 16.5&nbsp;°C. The meeting also recognised [[Centimetre gram second system of units|two sets of units for electrical and magnetic properties]] – the electrostatic set of units and the electromagnetic set of units.<ref>{{cite book |title = Reports on the Committee on Standards of Electrical Resistance – Appointed by the British Association for the Advancement of Science |chapter-url = https://archive.org/stream/reportscommitte00maxwgoog |chapter = First Report – Cambridge 3 October 1862 |pages = 1–3 |first1 = William |last1 =Thomson |first2 =James Prescott |last2 =Joule |first3 = James Clerk |last3 =Maxwell |first4 =Flemming |last4 =Jenkin |editor1-first = Flemming |editor1-last =Jenkin |location = London |year =1873 |access-date = 12 May 2011}}</ref>

The CGS units of electricity were cumbersome to work with. This was remedied at the 1893 International Electrical Congress held in Chicago by defining the "international" ampere and ohm using definitions based on the [[metre]], [[kilogram]] and [[second]], in the [[International System of Electrical and Magnetic Units]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://physics.nist.gov/cuu/Units/ampere.html |title = Historical context of the SI—Unit of electric current (ampere) |publisher = The NIST Reference on Constants, Units and Uncertainty |access-date = 10 April 2011}}</ref> During the same period in which the CGS system was being extended to include electromagnetism, other systems were developed, distinguished by their choice of coherent base unit, including the [[History of the metric system#QES|Practical System of Electric Units]], or QES (quad–eleventhgram–second) system, was being used. Here, the base units are the quad, equal to {{val|e=7|u=m}} (approximately a quadrant of the Earth's circumference), the eleventhgram, equal to {{val|e=-11|u=g}}, and the second.  These were chosen so that the corresponding electrical units of potential difference, current and resistance had a convenient magnitude.{{refn|{{citation |author=James Clerk Maxwell |year=1954 |orig-year=1891 |title=A Treatise on Electricity & Magnetism |volume=2 |edition=3rd | publisher=[[Dover Publications]]}}}}{{rp|268}}{{refn|name="Carron Babel"|{{cite arXiv |last=Carron |first=Neal |eprint=1506.01951 |title= Babel of Units. The Evolution of Units Systems in Classical Electromagnetism |class= physics.hist-ph |date=2015 }}}}{{rp|17}}

=== 20th century ===
In 1901, [[Giovanni Giorgi]] showed that by adding an electrical unit as a fourth base unit, the various anomalies in electromagnetic systems could be resolved. The metre–kilogram–second–[[coulomb]] (MKSC) and metre–kilogram–second–[[ampere]] (MKSA) systems are examples of such systems.<ref name=IECGiorgi>{{cite web|url = http://www.iec.ch/about/history/beginning/giovanni_giorgi.htm|title = In the beginning... Giovanni Giorgi|year = 2011
|publisher = [[International Electrotechnical Commission]]|access-date = 5 April 2011|archive-date = 15 May 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110515134553/http://www.iec.ch/about/history/beginning/giovanni_giorgi.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Jayson |first=Joel S. |date=January 2014 |title=The Daniell cell, Ohm's law, and the emergence of the International System of Units |url=https://pubs.aip.org/aapt/ajp/article/82/1/60-65/1058039 |journal=American Journal of Physics |language=en |volume=82 |issue=1 |pages=60–65 |arxiv=1512.07306 |doi=10.1119/1.4826445 |bibcode=2014AmJPh..82...60J |s2cid=119278961 |issn=0002-9505}}</ref>

The [[metre–tonne–second system of units]] (MTS) was based on the metre, [[tonne]] and second – the unit of force was the [[sthène]] and the unit of pressure was the [[pièze]]. It was invented in France for industrial use and from 1933 to 1955 was used both in France and in the [[Soviet Union]].<ref name=ieeeghn>{{cite web |url=http://www.ieeeghn.org/wiki/index.php/System_of_Measurement_Units |title = System of Measurement Units |work = IEEE Global History Network |publisher= [[Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers]] (IEEE) |access-date = 21 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.hydrelect.info/articles.php?lng=fr&pg=3 |title = Notions de physique – Systèmes d'unités |language = fr |trans-title=Symbols used in physics – units of measure |access-date = 21 March 2011 |publisher = Hydrelect.info}}</ref> [[Gravitational metric system]]s use the [[kilogram-force]] (kilopond) as a base unit of force, with mass measured in a unit known as the [[Gravitational metric system|hyl]], ''Technische Masseneinheit'' (TME), mug or [[slug (unit)|metric slug]].<ref>
{{cite web
 |url = http://www.numericana.com/answer/units.htm#slug
 |title = Final Answers
 |first1 = Gérard P
 |last1 = Michon
 |publisher = Numericana.com
 |date = 9 September 2000
 |access-date = 11 October 2012
}}</ref> Although the CGPM passed a resolution in 1901 defining the standard value of [[Standard gravity|acceleration due to gravity]] to be 980.665&nbsp;cm/s<sup>2</sup>, gravitational units are not part of the [[International System of Units]] (SI).<ref>{{cite web
|url = http://www.bipm.org/en/CGPM/db/3/2/
|title = Resolution of the 3rd meeting of the CGPM (1901)
|publisher = General Conference on Weights and Measures
|access-date = 11 October 2012}}</ref>

===Current===
The International System of Units is the modern metric system. It is based on the metre–kilogram–second–ampere (MKSA) system of units from early in the 20th century.<ref name=SI_units /> It also includes numerous coherent derived units for common quantities like power (watt) and irradience (lumen). Electrical units were taken from the International system then in use.  Other units like those for energy (joule) were modelled on those from the older CGS system, but scaled to be coherent with MKSA units. Two additional base units – the ''kelvin'', which is equivalent to degree Celsius for change in thermodynamic temperature but set so that 0&nbsp;K is [[absolute zero]], and the ''candela'', which is roughly equivalent to the [[international candle]] unit of illumination – were introduced. Later, another base unit, the ''mole'', a unit of [[amount of substance]] equivalent to the [[Avogadro number]] number of specified molecules, was added along with several other derived units.<ref name="Gold Book mole">{{Cite book |url=https://goldbook.iupac.org/terms/view/M03980 |title=IUPAC – mole (M03980) |author=IUPAC Gold Book |publisher=[[International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry]]|doi=10.1351/goldbook.M03980 |s2cid=241546445 }}</ref>

The system was promulgated by the General Conference on Weights and Measures (French: ''Conférence générale des poids et mesures'' – CGPM) in 1960.  At that time, the metre was redefined in terms of the wavelength of a spectral line of the [[krypton-86]] atom (krypton-86 being a stable isotope of an inert gas that occurs in undetectable or trace amounts naturally), and the standard metre artefact from 1889 was retired.<ref name=":0">{{cite book|last1=Urone |first1=Peter Paul |last2=Hinrichs |first2=Roger |last3=Dirks |first3=Kim |last4=Sharma |first4=Manjula |title=College Physics |publisher=OpenStax |isbn=978-1-947172-01-2 |year=2020 |url=https://openstax.org/details/books/college-physics}}</ref>{{rp|16}}

Today, the International system of units consists of 7 base units and innumerable coherent derived units including 22 with special names. The last new derived unit, the ''katal'' for catalytic activity, was added in 1999. All the base units except the second are now defined in terms of exact and invariant constants of physics or mathematics, barring those parts of their definitions which are dependent on the second itself. As a consequence, the speed of light has now become an exactly defined constant, and defines the metre as {{frac|299,792,458}} of the distance light travels in a second. The kilogram was defined by a [[International Prototype of the Kilogram|cylinder of platinum-iridium alloy]] until a [[2019 revision of the SI#Kilogram|new definition]] in terms of  [[Physical constant|natural physical constants]] was adopted in 2019. As of 2022, the range of decimal prefixes has been extended to those for 10<sup>30</sup> (''quetta–'') and 10<sup>−30</sup> (''quecto–'').<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theregister.com/2022/11/22/new_si_prefixes_clear_the/|title=New SI prefixes clear the way for quettabytes of storage|date=22 November 2022|publisher=The Register|access-date=23 Nov 2022|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== See also ==
* {{Annotated link|Binary prefix}}
* {{Annotated link|Electrostatic units}}
* {{Annotated link|History of measurement}}
* {{Annotated link|ISO 31}}
* {{Annotated link|ISO/IEC 80000}}
* {{Annotated link|List of metric units}}
* {{Annotated link|Metrology}}
* {{Annotated link|Non-SI units mentioned in the SI}}
* {{Annotated link|Outline of metrology and measurement}}
* {{Annotated link|Preferred metric sizes}}
* {{Annotated link|Unified Code for Units of Measure}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Wikiversity inline|Using the Metric System}}

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[[Category:Metric system| ]]
[[Category:International System of Units]]
[[Category:French inventions]]