1 km = 1,000 m
Multiply by: 1,000
Must know
1 km = 1,000 m Unit Conversion Cheatsheet
Cambridge IGCSE Maths unit conversions (2026)
Quick, syllabus-aligned conversions for measurement questions — download free PDF or CSV and revise with active recall.
Cambridge IGCSE Maths 2026 syllabus Free PDF + CSV
Our unit conversion cheatsheets are free to download — save this one as PDF for offline revision.
Aligned with the latest 2026 syllabus and board specifications. This sheet is prepared to match your exam board’s official specifications for the 2026 exam series.
Unit conversions you’ll actually use in Cambridge IGCSE Maths
Convert between common units instantly (length, mass, time, area, volume/capacity, speed, density and temperature). Use the sheet for quick revision, then practise converting without looking to build exam-speed confidence.
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Fast reference for exams
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Active recall friendly
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Free PDF download
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Free CSV download
Summary table (quick conversions)
Use this if you just need the conversions fast. Click a category to jump to the detailed notes and exam tips.
| Priority | Category | Conversion | Quick rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Must know | Length (metric) | 1 km = 1,000 m | × 1,000 |
| Must know | Length (metric) | 1 m = 100 cm | × 100 |
| Must know | Length (metric) | 1 m = 1,000 mm | × 1,000 |
| Must know | Length (metric) | 1 cm = 10 mm | × 10 |
| Must know | Mass (metric) | 1 kg = 1,000 g | × 1,000 |
| Good to know | Mass (metric) | 1 g = 1,000 mg | × 1,000 |
| Good to know | Mass (metric) | 1 tonne (t) = 1,000 kg | × 1,000 |
| Must know | Time | 1 min = 60 s | × 60 |
| Must know | Time | 1 h = 60 min | × 60 |
| Good to know | Time | 1 day = 24 h | × 24 |
| Good to know | Time | 1 week = 7 days | × 7 |
| Good to know | Time | 1 year = 365 days (approx.) | — |
| Must know | Area (metric) | 1 m² = 10,000 cm² | × 10,000 |
| Good to know | Area (metric) | 1 cm² = 100 mm² | × 100 |
| Good to know | Area (metric) | 1 km² = 1,000,000 m² | × 1,000,000 |
| Good to know | Area (metric) | 1 hectare (ha) = 10,000 m² | × 10,000 |
| Good to know | Volume & capacity (metric) | 1 m³ = 1,000,000 cm³ | × 1,000,000 |
| Must know | Volume & capacity (metric) | 1 cm³ = 1 mL | — |
| Must know | Volume & capacity (metric) | 1 L = 1,000 mL | × 1,000 |
| Good to know | Volume & capacity (metric) | 1 dm³ = 1,000 cm³ | × 1,000 |
| Must know | Volume & capacity (metric) | 1 dm³ = 1 L | — |
| Good to know | Volume & capacity (metric) | 1 m³ = 1,000 L | × 1,000 |
| Good to know | Speed | 1 m/s = 3.6 km/h | × 3.6 |
| Good to know | Density | 1 g/cm³ = 1,000 kg/m³ | × 1,000 |
| Good to know | Temperature | K = °C + 273.15 | + 273.15 |
Length (metric)
Convert between mm, cm, m, and km quickly.
Tip: for metric length conversions, move the decimal point based on powers of 10 (and always write units).
1 m = 100 cm
Multiply by: 100
Must know
1 m = 100 cm 1 m = 1,000 mm
Multiply by: 1,000
Must know
1 m = 1,000 mm 1 cm = 10 mm
Multiply by: 10
Must know
1 cm = 10 mm Mass (metric)
1 kg = 1,000 g
Multiply by: 1,000
Must know
1 kg = 1,000 g 1 g = 1,000 mg
Multiply by: 1,000
Good to know
1 g = 1,000 mg 1 tonne (t) = 1,000 kg
Multiply by: 1,000
Good to know
1 tonne (t) = 1,000 kg Time
1 min = 60 s
Multiply by: 60
Must know
1 min = 60 s 1 h = 60 min
Multiply by: 60
Must know
1 h = 60 min 1 day = 24 h
Multiply by: 24
Good to know
1 day = 24 h 1 week = 7 days
Multiply by: 7
Good to know
1 week = 7 days 1 year = 365 days (approx.)
Leap years have 366 days.
Good to know
1 year = 365 days (approx.) Area (metric)
Area conversions use squared scale factors.
If 1 m = 100 cm, then 1 m² = (100 cm)² = 10,000 cm². Square the length conversion factor.
1 m² = 10,000 cm²
Multiply by: 10,000 • Area scales with the square of the length conversion.
Must know
1 m² = 10,000 cm² 1 cm² = 100 mm²
Multiply by: 100 • Because (10 mm)² = 100 mm².
Good to know
1 cm² = 100 mm² 1 km² = 1,000,000 m²
Multiply by: 1,000,000 • Because (1000 m)² = 1,000,000 m².
Good to know
1 km² = 1,000,000 m² 1 hectare (ha) = 10,000 m²
Multiply by: 10,000
Good to know
1 hectare (ha) = 10,000 m² Volume & capacity (metric)
Volume conversions use cubed scale factors, and link to capacity units.
If 1 m = 100 cm, then 1 m³ = (100 cm)³ = 1,000,000 cm³. Cube the length conversion factor.
1 m³ = 1,000,000 cm³
Multiply by: 1,000,000 • Because (100 cm)³ = 1,000,000 cm³.
Good to know
1 m³ = 1,000,000 cm³ 1 cm³ = 1 mL
Very common in exams (volume ↔ capacity).
Must know
1 cm³ = 1 mL 1 L = 1,000 mL
Multiply by: 1,000
Must know
1 L = 1,000 mL 1 dm³ = 1,000 cm³
Multiply by: 1,000
Good to know
1 dm³ = 1,000 cm³ 1 dm³ = 1 L
So 1 L = 1,000 cm³.
Must know
1 dm³ = 1 L 1 m³ = 1,000 L
Multiply by: 1,000
Good to know
1 m³ = 1,000 L Speed
1 m/s = 3.6 km/h
Multiply by: 3.6 • To convert km/h → m/s, divide by 3.6.
Good to know
1 m/s = 3.6 km/h Density
1 g/cm³ = 1,000 kg/m³
Multiply by: 1,000 • Because 1 g = 0.001 kg and 1 cm³ = 0.000001 m³.
Good to know
1 g/cm³ = 1,000 kg/m³ Temperature
K = °C + 273.15
Add: +273.15 • To convert K → °C, subtract 273.15.
Good to know
K = °C + 273.15 How to Use This Unit Conversion Cheatsheet
Boost your Cambridge exam confidence with these proven study strategies from our tutoring experts.
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Convert both ways
For each line, practise converting forwards and backwards (e.g., kg → g and g → kg). Backward conversion is where students lose marks.
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Square and cube factors
Don’t “just add zeros” for area/volume. If length ×100, then area ×10,000 and volume ×1,000,000.
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Write units on every step
Treat units like algebra. If you cancel units correctly, you’ll catch most conversion mistakes before you finalise an answer.
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Speed-drills
Set a timer for 2 minutes and try 10 random conversions. Repeat daily — the goal is automaticity under time pressure.
Unit Conversion Cheatsheet FAQ
Quick answers about this free PDF and how to use it for exam revision and active recall.
What unit conversions do I need for Cambridge IGCSE Maths (2026)?
You need the high-frequency measurement conversions used in exam questions: metric length (mm–cm–m–km), mass (mg–g–kg), time (s–min–h), area (cm²–m²), volume/capacity (cm³–mL–L–m³), and common speed/density/temperature conversions.
How do I convert between units quickly in exams?
Use a scale factor and treat units like algebra. Multiply or divide by powers of 10 for metric conversions, and always write the unit on each step so you can cancel correctly and spot mistakes.
Why are area and volume conversions trickier than length conversions?
Because the scale factor is squared or cubed. If 1 m = 100 cm, then 1 m² = 10,000 cm² and 1 m³ = 1,000,000 cm³. Don’t just move the decimal once.
What is the relationship between cm³, mL and litres?
1 cm³ = 1 mL, 1000 mL = 1 L, and 1 dm³ = 1 L. This link is very common in measurement and volume questions.
How do I convert m/s to km/h (and back)?
Multiply by 3.6 to convert m/s → km/h. Divide by 3.6 to convert km/h → m/s.
Can I download this unit conversion cheatsheet as PDF and CSV?
Yes. The PDF is designed for printing/offline revision, and the CSV is ideal for turning conversions into flashcards or quizzes for active recall practice.
Free downloads
Save it offline for revision or print it as a one-page reference. CSV is ideal for making your own flashcards or quizzes.
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Aligned to the measurement conversions most frequently used in Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics questions (2026 syllabus).
Tip: always check whether the question expects units in mm/cm/m/km, cm²/m², cm³/m³, or m/s vs km/h.