Converting units worksheets
Aligned with Common Core 5.MD.A.1
Printable fifth-grade converting units worksheets and a how-to teaching page: changing small units to big units by dividing, writing leftovers and mixed numbers, metric conversions with decimals, comparing measurements, and multi-step word problems.
The worksheets
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How to Convert Both Ways
3 ft = 36 in and 48 in = 4 ft shown with bars, 30 in written as 2 ft 6 in and as 2 1/2 ft, and metric examples like 250 cm = 2.5 m and 3.5 kg = 3,500 g.
Small Units to Big Units
Customary length, weight, liquid volume and time to change from small units to big units, with the facts printed at the top. Fewer has 10 that divide evenly, Standard has 12 with leftovers, and More has 12 that include mixed numbers, like 168 in = 4 2/3 yd. Includes an answer key.
Metric Conversions
Kilometers, meters, centimeters, millimeters, kilograms, grams, liters and milliliters to convert both ways, with the facts printed at the top. Fewer has 10 with whole-number answers, Standard has 12 with decimals, and More has 12 that add kilometers and millimeters. Includes an answer key.
Which Is More?
Pairs of measurements in different units to compare, like 3 gal and 14 qt. Fewer has 8 customary pairs, Standard has 10 that add metric decimals, like 3,900 mL and 4.2 L, and More has 12 that add mixed units, like 4 yd 14 in. Includes an answer key.
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How to Solve Multi-Step Measurement Problems
Two worked stories, cutting a 3 meter ribbon into 25 centimeter pieces and finding the cups of lemonade left from 2 gallons, each converted first and then solved.
Measurement Word Problems
Multi-step stories about ribbon, lemonade, a puppy's weight, running, recipes, boards, movies, books and jugs of water. Fewer has 3 problems, Standard has 4 and More has 5. Includes an answer key.
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
In 4th grade, students changed big units to small units by multiplying, like 3 ft = 36 in. Now they go both ways. Changing small units to big units means dividing, like 48 in = 4 ft, and leftovers can be written in the small unit or as a fraction, like 30 in = 2 ft 6 in = 2 1/2 ft. Metric units go by powers of 10, so converting just moves the digits, like 250 cm = 2.5 m. Students also compare measurements in different units and solve multi-step problems by converting first so the units match.
What comes next
The coordinate plane.
How to teach it
- Teach in order or jump to whatever your student needs. A student may convert big to small easily and still be building the habit of dividing to go from small to big.
- Before converting, ask "will the number get bigger or smaller?" Smaller units mean a bigger number.
- Connect metric conversions to powers of 10. Multiplying by 1,000 moves each digit three places left.
- Use real measuring tools, like a yardstick, measuring cups or a kitchen scale.
Common mistakes
- Multiplying when going from small units to big units.
- Writing a remainder as a decimal, like 30 in = 2.6 ft.
- Using the wrong fact, like 10 inches in a foot.
- Moving the digits the wrong number of places in metric conversions.
- Adding or subtracting amounts in different units without converting first.