Does Australia use feet or cm?

Centimeters Down Under: Australia’s Embrace of the Metric System

Australia, the land of sunshine, beaches, and…centimeters? While the image of sunburnt surfers might conjure up visions of imperial measurements, the reality is that Australia has largely embraced the metric system. While remnants of the past occasionally surface, the vast majority of Australians, particularly younger generations, utilize centimeters, meters, and kilometers for everyday measurements.

The question of whether Australia uses feet or centimeters is therefore largely answered with a decisive “centimeters.” While it’s not uncommon to encounter individuals, particularly older generations, who still possess some familiarity with feet and inches, this is becoming increasingly rare. The official adoption of the metric system has permeated almost every aspect of Australian life, from road signage and building regulations to everyday conversations about height and weight.

Consider the common scenario of stating one’s height. While an older Australian might still mention their height as, say, “five foot eleven,” a younger person would almost invariably state it as “180 centimeters.” This seemingly small difference represents a significant cultural shift, highlighting the dominance of the metric system in modern Australia. The precision offered by centimeters is also increasingly valued in many fields, from engineering and manufacturing to healthcare.

However, the complete eradication of imperial measurements hasn’t happened overnight. The transition to metric has been a gradual process, spanning decades. Older infrastructure might still bear markings in feet and inches, and some specialized industries may retain certain imperial measurements due to legacy systems or international collaborations. But these are exceptions rather than the rule.

In conclusion, while a few vestiges of the imperial system linger, Australia’s measurement system is undeniably metric. When discussing distances, heights, or weights, expecting centimeters and meters rather than feet and inches is almost always accurate and reflects the contemporary Australian experience. The sight of someone quoting their height in centimeters is far more commonplace than seeing it expressed in feet, solidifying the metric system’s firm hold on the Australian landscape.