SI Measurement System Chart

Credit: NIST

 

SI Measurement System Chart (PDF)
Edition: 2021

 

Summary

This resource provides a colorful printable SI system chart, which displays the 7 SI base unit, prefix symbols, and features the Measurement League: Guardians of the SI superheroes, dedicated to the fight against uncertainty, imprecision, and inaccuracy and to improving the quality of our lives and the things we build. The superheroes include the following: Mole, Professor Second, Monsieur Kilogram, Ms. Ampere, Dr. Kelvin, Meter Man, and Candela. SI Prefix symbols featured in the chart are used to represent smaller or larger units by factors that are powers of 10. The chart provides an entertaining way to learn more about the International System of Units (SI). NOTE: Four new International System of Units (SI) prefixes (ronna, ronto, quetta, and quecto) were adopted in November 2022 and are not currently represented in this publication.

Did you know that you can obtain a free set of metric education resources for use in your classroom? Contact the NIST Metric Program at TheSI [at] nist.gov (TheSI[at]nist[dot]gov) and include your name, school, subject, grade level, phone number, and U.S. mailing address. Publication requests may also be made using the OWM Contacts System. The NIST SI Teacher Kit contains a curated collection of instructional measurement resources. A metric conversion card is a valuable tool for science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) classrooms.

The chart may be printed on any paper size, but it is recommended that it be at least 215.9 mm x 279.4 mm (8.5 in x 11 in).

Learning Objectives

• Recognize the seven SI base units.
• Use the SI prefixes to modify unit magnitude.

Materials

• Required
  • Digital file.
  • Paper.
  • Printer.
• Recommended
  • 215.9 mm x 279.4 mm (8.5 in x 11 in) office size paper.

Safety

• Use caution when handling paper edges to prevent injury.

Teaching Tips

• Use the Top 10 Tips for Teaching the Metric System. 
  • Make measurements with metric tools. Measurement concepts are meaningfully established through hands-on activities. Application, not memorization, is the key to success! The SI is easy to learn when taught using metric tools. 
  • Practice building proficiency and confidence in making measurements. Measurement involves doing.
  • Develop reference points. How long? How big? How small? It’s important for students to gradually develop an intuitive feeling for the magnitude of commonly used metric units, including the millimeter (mm) and centimeter (cm). 
  • Use an interdisciplinary approach. Bring the SI into classrooms at every opportunity, including during instruction in language arts, fine arts, social sciences, industrial arts, vocational technologies, consumer studies, and physical fitness. For example, origami combines art, geometry, and engineering while applying metric length, area, and volume measurements. 
• Share a brief introduction to the seven International System of Units (SI) base units, Discuss how to use the SI prefixes.

Classroom Connections

• 

  Credit: J. Wang and B. Hayes/NIST ©2020 U.S. Secretary of Commerce. All Rights Reserved.

  Videos. Comic book-style video animations, available on the NIST YouTube Channel.

  • Episode 4: Two Truths & a Lie. After rescuing Monsieur Kilogram and capturing Major Uncertainty, our Superheroes take a break and play a game of "Two Truths & a Lie."
  • Episode 3: Mass Hysteria! The nefarious Major Uncertainty has kidnapped Monsieur Kilogram, putting the world’s measurements of mass in jeopardy.
  • Episode 2: Running Out of Time! The SI Superheroes battle archvillain Major Uncertainty in a race to keep the world's satellite navigation system "on time."
  • Episode 1: Desperate Measures! The SI Superheroes use the power of measurement to help a stranded soccer player get home.
• Companion Resources:
  • Superhero Profiles
  • Valentine’s Day Cards
  • GIPHY Channel
  • Artist Spotlight: Jenny Wang, NIST Multimedia Specialist
• SI Units
• SI Redefinition Constants
• Redefining the World’s Measurement System
• SI Prefixes
• Metric Bookmark
• Metric Children’s Activity Card
• Metric Conversion Card (SP 365)
• Metric Pyramid (LC 1140)
• Metric Ruler (SP 376)
• SI Base Units Relationships Poster (SP 1247)
• SI Units Card Deck (SP 1297)
• Measurement League: Guardians of the SI Superhero Card Set

Additional Resources

• National Metric Week
• SI Education and Training
• SI Teacher Kit
• Education Metrication
• Becoming Familiar with SI
• Everyday Estimation
• Metric Kitchen
• Metrication FAQs
• SI Publications
• Understanding Metric
• Writing with Metric Units
• NEST-R (STEM Registry)
• NIST Education Resources