Do Australians use kilometers or miles to denote distance?

Show all answers

tentofield

There is a useful distinction between "metre" and "meter". A "metre" is a unit of measurement, a "meter" is something you measure with so we have metres and kilometres but thermometers and barometers. Every country in the world that uses metres and kilometres spells the words that way. The USA doesn't use the units but thinks thay can spell them differently. Resist and keep the distinction between a metre and a meter.

jcurrieii

Metric only...they also use the non-American (correct) spelling of "res".

They also use dollars.

beach_monkey

In Australia we use the metric system, so we use kilometres, litres and kilograms.

Elizabeth

We use kilometres not kilometers.
In fact, we use the metric system for all weights and measures.

In Australia the Metric system was phased in between April 1967 and May 1979.

This is from the U.S. Metric Association.
Which other countries, besides the U.S., do not use the metric system?
According to a survey taken by USMA many years ago, the only other countries that have not officially adopted the metric system are Liberia (in western Africa) and Burma (also known as Myanmar, in Southeast Asia).

Looks as though the U.S. is out of step with the entire world.

Ken E

The metric system was introduced about 37 years ago. Older Australians still understand miles, feet, gallons, pounds etc but younger ones don't.

Kella G

Kilometres, litres and kilograms - we use all metric measurement in Oz

But Why??

Fence posts..

The_Mouse

We use the metric system here - NOT just for distance but for other measurements as well.

(I hope you know what we mean by the "metric" system)

enzyme306

Australia like most of the world uses the metric system. Only the U.S. still goes by miles and inches. If you asked for distance in miles in Australia, they would not have a clue. All of the speed signs are in kilometers per hour.

Serena

Kilometres (spelled metre,not meter)
Litres
Kilograms

cjid84

we need killometeres, litres for any liquid,metres for yardage,

Aveagoodweegend

It changed in 1975. I was still at school in country victoria when it switched. We had a cleaner at school who was a brick short of a wall and because the signs on the highway changed from 100 miles to 160 kilometres he asked "is it further to Melbourne now?"
Myself, I have no problem with litres and kilo's but I still can't follow heights. If you tell me your 6'2" I know exactly what you mean but if you said 206 cms I wouldn't have a clue.

sexc_n_h0rny_now

most Australians could use both. Or at least I could. But the most common way is the metric system because cool people go metric.

sal_411

Kilometres - we're all metric, baby.

Older Australians still understand feet inches etc but it's not taught in schools anymore.

Sunny 1st

Kilometres.

Although the older generation still think in miles.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: