Metric to Imperial Conversion in Canada: The Complete Guide
Canada officially went metric in the 1970s, but Canadians remain uniquely bilingual in their measurements. We buy gas in litres, but measure our height in feet and inches. We forecast in Celsius but cook with Fahrenheit. This guide is your quick reference for the conversions you actually need.
Temperature: Celsius ↔ Fahrenheit
The formula: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32 and °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9
| Celsius | Fahrenheit | Context |
|---|---|---|
| −40°C | −40°F | The one temperature both scales agree on |
| 0°C | 32°F | Water freezes |
| 20°C | 68°F | Comfortable room temperature |
| 37°C | 98.6°F | Normal body temperature |
| 100°C | 212°F | Water boils |
| 180°C | 356°F | Oven: moderate baking |
| 200°C | 392°F | Oven: high heat |
Quick mental trick: Double the Celsius, subtract 10%, add 32. So 20°C → 40, subtract 4 → 36, add 32 → 68°F. Close enough for everyday use.
Distance: Kilometres ↔ Miles
1 km = 0.621 miles | 1 mile = 1.609 km
| Kilometres | Miles |
|---|---|
| 1 km | 0.62 mi |
| 5 km | 3.1 mi |
| 10 km | 6.2 mi |
| 50 km/h | 31 mph |
| 100 km/h | 62 mph |
| 400 km | 249 mi (Toronto to Ottawa) |
Weight: Kilograms ↔ Pounds
1 kg = 2.205 lbs | 1 lb = 0.454 kg
| Kilograms | Pounds |
|---|---|
| 50 kg | 110 lbs |
| 70 kg | 154 lbs |
| 90 kg | 198 lbs |
| 1 kg | 2.2 lbs |
| 454 g (1 lb) | 1 lb |
Height: Centimetres ↔ Feet and Inches
1 inch = 2.54 cm | 1 foot = 30.48 cm
| Centimetres | Feet & Inches |
|---|---|
| 150 cm | 4'11" |
| 160 cm | 5'3" |
| 170 cm | 5'7" |
| 175 cm | 5'9" |
| 180 cm | 5'11" |
| 190 cm | 6'3" |
Volume: Litres ↔ Gallons
1 litre = 0.264 US gallons | 1 litre = 0.22 UK gallons
Canada uses Canadian gallons (same as Imperial/UK gallons) in some older contexts, but US gallons are more common in cross-border situations.
| Litres | US Gallons | UK/Can Gallons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 L | 0.26 gal | 0.22 gal |
| 4 L | 1.06 gal | 0.88 gal |
| 50 L | 13.2 gal | 11 gal |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Canada still use imperial measurements informally?
Canada officially switched to metric in 1970, but because of proximity to the US and cultural habits, many Canadians still use imperial for height, weight, cooking recipes, and lumber. It's an informal dual system that has persisted for over 50 years.
What is 5'10" in centimetres?
5 feet 10 inches is approximately 177.8 cm. Multiply total inches (70) by 2.54 to get centimetres.
Is a Canadian pound the same as a US pound?
Yes — a pound (lb) is the same in Canada and the United States: 453.59 grams.
Why is Canadian gas priced in cents per litre instead of dollars?
Gas is priced in cents per litre (e.g., 175.9¢/L) simply because the numbers are more manageable at that scale — it avoids pricing like $1.759/L. This is purely a display convention.
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