Lesson 14 — Activity 2:

Conversions within the Imperial System


In the last lesson, you learned how to convert within the metric system. In this lesson, you will learn to convert within the imperial system.


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Look at Table 1 below, which is a chart of equivalents that are used when converting within the imperial system:


In this chart, the larger units are on the left. Charts might be set up with the larger units on the right, so the first line would read 12 in = 1 ft. The other unit has a number different than 1 in front of it (e.g., 12 inches). This number is called the conversion factor. This number (the conversion factor) will be important to know for when you are converting units in the upcoming activities.

So, according to the table, what is the conversion factor for 1 yard? If you said 3, you are correct!

Let's try another one. What is the conversion factor for 1 mile? If you said 1,760, you are correct again!

Now let's look at the rest of the table. What are the conversion factors for:

  • 1 pound
  • 1 quart
  • 1 gallon
  • 1 pound — 16 is the conversion factor
  • 1 quart — 2 is the conversion factor
  • 1 gallon — 4 is the conversion factor

Converting within the Imperial System


To convert an imperial amount in one unit in the imperial system to another unit in the imperial system, follow these two rules.


Rule 1:

To convert from a larger unit such as feet to a smaller unit such as inches, multiply the amount of the larger unit by the conversion factor.


Example: Convert 5 feet to inches.  


The chart tells you that 1 foot = 12 inches. The conversion factor is 12. To convert 5 feet to inches (larger unit to smaller unit), multiply by the conversion factor 12. 


1 ft = 12 in

5 ft = 5 x 12 = 60 in 

Therefore, 5 ft = 60 in


Rule 2:

To convert from a smaller unit such as quarts to a larger unit such as gallons, divide the amount of the smaller unit by the conversion factor.

Example: Convert 10 quarts to gallons. 


From the chart, 1 gallon = 4 quarts. The conversion factor is 4. Since you are going from a smaller unit to a larger one, you divide by the conversion factor 4. 


1 gal = 4 qt

10 qt = 10 ÷ 4 = 2.5 gal

Therefore, 10 qt = 2.5 gal

  Self-check!

Try This!

Converting Imperial Units


Convert the following imperial units using the chart below.

When you are finished, click on the tab to check your answers!


Convert 35 feet to inches (larger to smaller — multiply).

Convert 65 pounds to ounces (larger to smaller — multiply).

Convert 50 quarts to gallons (smaller to larger — divide).



35 ft x 12 in = 420 inches

65 lbs x 16 oz = 1,040 ounces

50 qt ÷ 4 gal = 12.5 gallons

Digging Deeper!

Click on the Play button below to watch a video on how to convert imperial measurements.