Metrication UK

@metrication.uk

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Going Metric in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 metrication.uk 📏 ⚖️ 🌡️ 🚗 All things related to the UK's still-to-be-completed metrication programme

A demonstration set of metric paint cans issued to British paint wholesalers in October 1970. An owl, wearing a mortar board, sitting on top of the British Standards Institution metrication logo, features prominently on each of the bright red cans' boldly designed label. The label includes the words, "Paint Going Metric 1971", and "This is the NEW Metric Paint Can". The cans come in 5 sizes: 250 ml, 500 ml, 1 litre, 2.5 litre and 5 litre.
A calendar showing the date "MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY 1971" - D Day
2 decimal coins from 1971: A 2 NEW PENCE coin, and a ½ NEW PENNY coin.
A 1967 half-crown coin
A Robertson's Christmas Pudding in its box 400 g METRIC PACK circa 1980
GOING METRIC Check List for Managers MM1 August 1973 Metrication Board
Setting speed limits in km/h is so difficult that only 98 of the world's 100 largest countries have managed to do it.
BSI Policy statement on screw threads and the metric system 23 November 1965 "In view of the world trend towards the metric system, and having particular regard to the declared UK national policy for its adoption, it is strongly recommended that British industry should adopt the ISO metric screw thread system."
a cross section diagram of an ISO metric screw thread
A 1975 METRIC PACK of Kellogg's Corn Flakes. The back of the pack includes information about the switch to metric pack sizes: "Kellogg's and Metrication You will probably have noticed from the front of this packet that it has a new metric weight. It now contains 500 grammes (1.10 lb) of Corn Flakes in place of the previous 16 oz. Since the Weights and Measures Act, 1963, we have had to pack our flaked breakfast cereals in multiples of 4 ounces. This was the main reason why Corn Flakes were packed in 8 oz, 12 oz and 16 oz packet sizes. But now that Britain is changing to the metric weight system the Law has been amended to permit flaked cereals to be packed and sold in set metric quantities. This Giant pack, which previously held 16 ounces, will now contain 500 grammes (one of the new set quantities). So there are now 10% more Corn Flakes in the packet."
A 1976 Silver Spoon 1 kilogram METRIC PACK of sugar
A British stamps "Day of Event" Cover, commemorating the #metrication of the Post Office #metrication on 29 September 1975. The envelope bears the words, "THE POST OFFICE GOES METRIC". The 8½p stamp is franked with the words, "NATIONAL POSTAL MUSEUM 29 SEP 1975 LONDON EC1".
A 1975 Post Office poster titled, "Mail goes metric from 29 Sept". Some examples of the new weight steps INLAND letters 60g 100g 150g 200g 250g 300g 350g 400g 450g 500g 750g parcels 1kg 2kg 3kg 4kg 5kg 6kg 7kg 8kg 9kg 10kg OVERSEAS air-letters - Europe 20g 50g 100g air-letters - Outside Europe 15g 30g 40g Imperial equivalents for the new weight values are given in brackets.
A diagram of a Rugby Union pitch showing all dimensions in round metric values. It includes the 22-metre and 10-metre lines.
METRIC PACKS of Homepride flour in the "Homepride Selection" catalogue leaflet, 1979
A 1 kilogram METRIC PACK of sugar - 1976
Road sign diagrams from the TSRGD 1981. Diagram 530 Headroom at hazard. Permitted variant: Metric units may be substituted for imperial units within the warning triangle. Diagram 629 Vehicles exceeding width indicated prohibited. Permitted variant: Metric units may be substituted for imperial units within the warning triangle. #metrication #roadsigns
An imperial width restriction sign indicating a width restriction of 6 feet 6 inches, together with an equivalent metric sign from 1981 showing a width restriction of 2.0 metres. #metrication #metricsystem #metric
A diagram with 3 images, showing one method for the #metrication of speed limit signs. The first image is of an imperial 50 mph sign - a red roundel showing the figure 50. The second image is of a transitionary metric 80 km/h sign - a red roundel showing the figure 80, with a supplementary plate below the roundel showing a symbol km/h. The third image is identical to the second, but with the supplementary km/h plate removed.
The Government agree that programmes for the different sectors of the economy can be properly co-ordinated only if there is some general guidance on the timing. They therefore accept the end of 1975 as the target date for all provisional programmes, with the qualification that if this date proves to be unreasonable for any particular sector, the programme may aim at an earlier or later date. Anthony Wedgwood Benn, Minister of Technology 26 July 1968 METRICATION HC Deb 26 July 1968 vol 769 cc1167-711167
A diagram comparing imperial and metric units of volume. 1 quart = 8 gills 1 firkin = 4.5 pecks 1 pint = 34.677 cubic inches 1 litre = 1000 millilitres @metrication.uk
A page from an athletics programme for the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. It shows the competitors for the semi-finals of the 400 metres hurdles, together with the previous games winners for the 440 yards hurdles that this event replaces.
Four athletics programmes for the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.
A diagram comparing imperial and metric units of mass. The relations between 11 different imperial units of mass are shown, including: 1 pound = 291.67 pennyweights 1 ton = 2722.2 troy pounds 1 stone = 3584 drams This is contrasted with the simple decimal relations of metric units of mass, such as: 1 kilogram = 1000 grams
A Post Office poster picturing the three new high value decimal stamps that were available from 17 June 1970. It reads: "Decimal High Value Definitive Stamps Three new high value decimal stamps 10p 20p and 50p will be on sale here from 17 June 1970"
A poster promoting World Metrology Day 20 May 2025 150 years of the Metre Convention "Measurements for all times, for all people"
A 1975 British rail #metrication information leaflet titled "Tons and Tonnes". The leaflet includes the following text: "On the traffic side of the railway we are chiefly concerned with distance and weight. As to distance, no metrication is planned for the time being. Unless the Government decides to change from miles to kilometres on the roads, we too will go on using miles, chains and yards - and of course speeds in miles per hour. With weight measures the situation is different. Already the railway sales people have for some time been quoting rates for freight in metric weights, because so many of our customers are dealing in them, Now it is time for them to come into use on the operating side as well. From 5 May next, metric weights will become the standard for loads, capacities, tare weights and brake force".
"An Essay Towards a Real Character, and a Philosophical Language", by John Wilkins. With highlighted extract: "39 inches and a quarter ... Let this Length therefore be called the Standard; let one Tenth of it be called a Foot; one Tenth of a Foot an Inch; one Tenth of an Inch a Line. And so upward, Ten Standards should be a Pearch; Ten Pearches, a Furlong; Ten Furlongs, a Mile; Ten Miles, a League, &c."
A #metrication information leaflet for the construction industry, published by the Ministry of Public Building and Works in 1968. The leaflet details the metrication programme prepared by the British Standards Institution and agreed by all members of the construction industry.
A 1970 #metrication information leaflet published by the Timber Research and Development Association. The leaflet details the new metric standard range of sizes for sawn timber available from 1 April 1970.
A diagram with 3 images, showing one method for the #metrication of speed limit signs. The first image is of a current imperial 50 mph sign - a red roundel showing the figure 50. The second image is of a transitionary metric 80 km/h sign - a red roundel showing the figure 80, with a supplementary plate below the roundel showing a symbol km/h. The third image is identical to the second, but with the supplementary km/h plate removed.
A diagram comparing imperial and metric units of area. 1 acre = 4 roods 1 rood = 40 perches 1 perch = 30.25 square yards 1 hectare = 10000 square metres
A 1970s #Metrication Board advertisement with a consumer guide to buying carpets and fabrics in metric units.
Building Metrication News - 27 February 1970 30 January Bricks and blocks: the new British Standard on bricks, BS 3921, is based on a format of 225 mm × 112.5 mm × 75 mm. This has not been reached without some controversy and further research on modular brick sizes is to be conducted. Findings on this could be arrived at in two to three years when it is anticipated that the present standard may be completely revised. For blocks the standard format is for a length of 300 mm, a height of 225 mm and widths of 62.5, 75, 100 and 150 mm. Hollow blocks for floors have a length of 300 mm, a width of 300 mm and a depth varying from 75 mm to 250 mm in 25 mm increments.
The metric standard brick is based on a module size of 900 mm × 300 mm
Department of Transport, Ireland, information leaflet. Speed limits go metric from 20 January 2005.
A large glass of white wine, filled to the 250 ml mark. The glass is graduated with 3 lines - at 125 ml, 175 ml and 250 ml.
A 1975 metric pack of Sifta table salt, labelled "METRIC PACK 750 g 1.65 lb"
Three metric Corn Flakes boxes: one from 1976 labelled "METRIC PACK 500 grammes 1.10 lb", one from 1980 labelled "500 g", and a "Season's Greetings" box from 2022.
Available speed limits lower than 30 mph - imperial vs metric
metrication of UK road signs in 1981