The Relationships
Twelve inches make a foot, three feet make a yard, and 1,760 yards make a mile. These aren't powers of ten, which is why converting within the system means multiplying or dividing by 12, 3, or 1,760 rather than shifting a decimal point.
Where They Appear
Inches are used for screens, lumber, and small measurements; feet for room sizes, heights, and building plans; yards for fabric and some sports fields (an American football field is 100 yards between goal lines).
Tying to Metric
| Imperial | Metric (exact) | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 2.54 cm | screens, hardware |
| 1 foot | 0.3048 m | rooms, heights |
| 1 yard | 0.9144 m | fabric, sports |