Turkey uses the metric system for all official measurements, including distance, weight, volume, area, and temperature. Travelers from countries that use imperial measurements may need to become familiar with metric units when shopping, driving, reading weather forecasts, or understanding product information.
The metric system is used throughout Turkey in:
- Road signs and distances
- Food and drink measurements
- Fuel sales
- Hotel and accommodation information
- Weather forecasts
- Land and property measurements
Understanding common conversions can make traveling in Turkey easier and more convenient.
Measurement System Used in Turkey
Turkey officially uses the International System of Units (SI), commonly known as the metric system.
Common units include:
- Millimeter (mm) – small measurements
- Centimeter (cm) – length of small objects
- Meter (m) – everyday distances
- Kilometer (km) – road distances
- Gram (g) and kilogram (kg) – weight
- Liter (L) – liquids
- Square meter (m²) – area measurements
Metric Conversion Tables
Capacity Measurement
| Metric Unit | Imperial Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 milliliter | 0.00176 pint |
| 1 liter | 1.76 pints |
| 1 fluid ounce | 28.41 cm³ |
| 1 US gallon | 3.785 liters |
Length and Distance Measurements
| Metric Unit | Imperial Equivalent |
| 1 centimeter | 0.3937 inch |
| 1 meter | 3.280 feet |
| 1 kilometer | 0.6214 mile |
Travel Example:
- A sign showing 100 km to Antalya means approximately 62 miles.
- A hiking trail marked 5 km is about 3.1 miles.
Area Measurements
| Metric Unit | Imperial Equivalent |
| 1 square centimeter | 0.1550 square inches |
| 1 square meter | 10.766 square feet |
| 1 hectare | 2.471 acres |
| 1 square kilometer | 0.386 square miles |
| 1 square inch | 645.16 mm² |
| 1 square foot | 0.0929 m² |
| 1 square yard | 0.8361 m² |
| 1 acre | 4,047 m² |
| 1 square mile | 2.59 km² |
Property Example:
Real estate listings in Turkey usually measure properties in square meters (m²).
For example:
- 100 m² apartment = approximately 1,076 square feet
Cubic Measurements
| Metric Unit | Imperial Equivalent |
| 1 cubic centimeter | 0.06102 cubic inches |
| 1 cubic meter | 1.308 cubic yards |
| 1 cubic inch | 16.39 cm³ |
| 1 cubic foot | 0.02832 m³ |
| 1 cubic yard | 0.7646 m³ |
Temperature Conversion
Turkey uses degrees Celsius (°C) for temperature measurements.
Celsius to Fahrenheit
To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit:
Multiply by 1.8 and add 32
Example:
25°C × 1.8 + 32 = 77°F
Fahrenheit to Celsius
To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius:
Subtract 32, then multiply by 5/9
Example:
77°F − 32 × 5/9 = 25°C
Common Temperature References in Turkey
| Celsius | Fahrenheit |
| 0°C | 32°F |
| 10°C | 50°F |
| 20°C | 68°F |
| 25°C | 77°F |
| 30°C | 86°F |
| 35°C | 95°F |
Useful Measurement Tips for Travelers
- Fuel in Turkey is sold by the liter.
- Food products are usually sold by grams and kilograms.
- Road distances are shown in kilometers.
- Apartment and hotel room sizes are usually given in square meters.
- Weather forecasts use Celsius degrees.
- Personal weights are commonly measured in kilograms.
Understanding Turkey’s metric measurement system helps visitors navigate transportation, shopping, accommodation, and daily activities more easily. Although the system may be unfamiliar to travelers from countries using imperial measurements, the basic conversions are simple and quickly become familiar during a visit to Turkey.