26 Examples of Measurement

John Spacey, updated on June 24, 2022

Measurement is the process of quantifying the physical world with a number. This is performed with a variety of tools, sensors, systems and calculations that measure different aspects of things. Each measurement is captured using standard units such as those provided by the metric system, United States customary units or the Imperial system. The following are common examples of measurements.

Tool	Measurement	Standard Units
Clock	Time	Second, Minutes, Hours
Ruler	Length, Width, Height	Inches, Feet, Centimeters, Meters
Angle Ruler / Protractor	Angle	Degrees (°)
Scale	Weight / Mass	Pounds / Kilograms
Measuring Cup / Beaker Glass	Volume	Ounces / Quarts / Gallons / Milliliters/ Liters
Thermometer	Temperature	°F / °C
Odometer	Distance Traveled	Miles / Kilometers
Speedometer	Speed / Velocity	Miles per hour (mph), Kilometers per hour (km/h)
Global Positioning System	Location on surface of the planet	Latitude and Longitude
Ammeter	Electrical Current	Amperes
Voltmeter	Electric Potential	Volts
Barometer	Atmospheric Pressure	Atmospheres / Bars
Hygrometers	Humidity	Relative Humidity (%)
Anemometers	Wind Speed and Direction	Feet Per Minute / Meters Per Second
Sound Level Meter	Sound Levels	Decibels (dB)
Theodolite	Angles Between Two Points (e.g. surveying)	Radians (rad) / Degrees (°) / Seconds of Arc (arcsec)
Level	Level Surface, Plumb Surface	Degrees (°)
Operating Systems	File Size / Data Size	Bytes
Electrical Meter	Electricity Consumption	Kilowatt Hours (kWh)
Calorimeter	Heat Output of a Fuel (e.g. the energy in food)	Calories / Small Calories / Kilogram Calories
Seismograph / Seismometer	Ground motion (i.e. earthquakes)	Magnitude
Pressure Meters / Pressure Gauges / Manometers	Pressure of a Liquid or Gas	Pounds Per Square Inch (psi), Megapascal (MPa)
pH Meter	Acidity / Alkalinity	pH
Altimeter	Altitude	Feet / Meters
Depth Finder	Depth of Water	Feet / Meters

Everyday Examples

A pilot checks their altimeter as they land an aircraft.

An elevator uses a scale to weigh passengers and will beep and refuse to move if total passenger weight exceeds its capacity.

A driver checks their speedometer to see if they are speeding.

A chef uses a measuring cup to measure 14 ounces of milk.

A scientist uses a thermometer to determine the temperature of a liquid in an experiment.

A construction site uses a sound level meter as a tool of health and safety. They file safety reports that capture the daily maximum sound levels recorded.

26 Examples of Measurement

Everyday Examples

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