Metrication in Sweden

Sweden adopted the metric system in 1878, using a ten-year transition period from 1879 to 1888.

History

The metric system was adopted by law on 22 November 1878. This law stated that the introduction should take place progressively from 1879 to 1888, and that the metric system should be used exclusively from the beginning of 1889.

Current exceptions

• Television sets and displays of any kind have their diagonal measured in inches.
• Lumber and pipes are sold in metric length, but their width, thickness and diameter are measured in both inches and in metres.
• Textile is normally sold in metres but the thread count is in threads per square inch.
• Tire pressure is measured in both bar and Pascal.
• The price of gold, is quoted in US dollars per ounce.
• McDonald's sells its Quarter Pounder with cheese as Quarter Pounder Cheese
• The number of teeth on a saw is measured in teeth per inch (TPI)
• Hammers are measured in millimetres but weighed in ounces.
• Watering hoses' length are measured in metres, but the diameter is measured in inches.
• Sailing yachts are measured in feet.
• Distances larger than 10 kilometres is informally given in mil (Swedish mile=10 km), however on road signs etc., km is used.
• World oil price is quoted in US dollars per Barrels
• The metric yardstick is called tumstock, instead of the recommended meterstock or måttstock
• The power of fuel powered engines is given in horse power instead of watt, but electrical engines in watt.