Inches and centimeters worksheets
Aligned with Common Core 2.MD.A.1
Printable second-grade measuring worksheets with true-to-size rulers: measure in inches, measure in centimeters, and find how much longer one thing is than another.
The worksheets
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Inch and Centimeter Rulers
True-to-size inch and centimeter rulers with the steps for measuring.
Measure in Inches
Things lined up on an inch ruler, from 1 to 6 inches long.
Measure in Centimeters
Things lined up on a centimeter ruler, from 3 to 16 centimeters long.
How Much Longer?
Two things on one centimeter ruler. Measure both, then find the difference.
Print the whole packet
One copy of every sheet above, in order. Tap + for more copies (up to 10).
For the parent or teacher
What it is
Second graders learn to measure with a real ruler, in inches and in centimeters. They line the end of the object up with 0, read the number at the other end, and write the unit. They also learn that the same pencil is more centimeters long than inches long, because a centimeter is smaller, and they compare lengths by subtracting.
What comes next
Time to 5 minutes and money, more real-world measuring.
How to teach it
- Print these sheets at 100% (actual size) so the rulers measure right.
- Practice lining up the 0 on real things first, like a crayon or a spoon.
- Measure the same thing in inches and in centimeters, and talk about why the numbers are different.
- For "how much longer", measure both, then subtract the smaller from the bigger.
Common mistakes
- Starting at the edge of the ruler or at 1 instead of at 0.
- Counting the tick marks instead of reading the number.
- Forgetting to write the unit.