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The millimeter is small in size but big in impact. It is the smallest unit you’ll use to measure things but still it is used everywhere from school assignments to machines. MM helps you to measure with fine accuracy.
When we talk about measuring things, one of the terms that crosses our minds is MM. It does not matter if you are doing a task at school, workplace or your home, the need to measure can arise at any point of time.
MM might be small in length but it plays a crucial role in maintaining and ensuring accuracy. This blog will cover all the details about the measuring unit, like the full form of MM, why it is important and how it is used.
What is the full form of MM?
The full form of MM is Millimeter. You might’ve heard the term Millimeter many times, or might’ve seen it while using a ruler in class. A millimeter is a unit of measuring length in the metric system.
Milli is a Latin word which means one thousandth, this is the reason why 1MM=1000M (1 millimeter = 1000 Meters). A millimeter is the smallest measuring unit in the metric system. It is generally used to measure things which require high proficiency and accuracy. A millimeter is often used to measure tools and products while manufacturing, jewellery items , screen sizes of electronic products like phone, tablet, laptop etc.
Millimeter in metric system
The metric system is a system used for measuring the products. Quantity of products, length of products, weight of products, volume of the product etc. are also measured using this one metric system. You can also check out how MM looks with other metric units in the list.
| OTHER UNITS | MILIMETER |
| 1 Meter | 1000 Millimeters |
| 1 Centimeter | 10 Millimeters |
| 1 Inch | 25.4 Millimeters |
Do Check: List of all Important Full Forms
Why is Millimeter Important?
A millimeter or MM is the smallest unit of measurement and the smaller the unit is the more important it becomes because of the detailed purposes it is used for. MM is used for detailed-oriented purposes or to measure small things but it is crucial as the mistakes are often made in small and complex measurements rather than big measuring.
Some of the main reasons why MM is considered as important are:
- MM reduces the chances of errors in measurements
- It also ensures that components or products fits perfectly (as it is the smallest unit of measurement)
- MM is widely used across different industries which makes it a consistent tool for measurement
- The use of MM makes sure that there is high level of accuracy in designing and manufacturing
How to measure in MM?
Measuring in MM is no big deal. People across the world use various objects and tools to measure the products, items or components in terms of millimeters specially for measuring small objects. The use of different tools depends on your need, use and from where you are measuring, like whether you are in school, at work, or working in a manufacturing industry.
Some of the most common tools used to measure in terms of millimeters are:
- Ruler: Ruler is generally used in schools by students or at home. A ruler is usually marked in mm and cm.
- Measuring Tape: A measuring tape is usually used by tailors for measuring cloth sizes, it is also used in the process of construction and home repairing.
- Vernier Caliper: A vernier caliper is an advanced tool than a ruler and a measuring tape. It is used in laboratories, factories etc. and it can measure up to two decimal places in mm.
- Micrometer: A micrometre is a tool for measuring very tiny objects. It is majorly used in technical and engineering fields. It can even measure thickness of a wire, depth of the hole etc.
Common uses of MM
By now you must’ve understood that Millimeter is used for small measurements and why it is important to use MM as a measuring unit for tiny measurements. Now, let us talk about the common uses or the places/industries where Millimeter is used most commonly as a measuring unit.
MM is used in different areas for different purposes. However, it is used everywhere like school, work, industry but the usage reason and how it is used is different. Some of the examples where MM is widely used are:
- Education: In the field of education, rulers and geometry tools are used for accurate measurements.
- Engineering & Manufacturing: In the manufacturing industries or engineering fields, different parts of the machines and blueprint are often measured in terms of MM.
- Jewellery Designing: Jewellery designing is a process that demands detailing and thus measuring beads, stones, gemstones etc. in terms of MM is the best choice for perfection and accuracy.
- Architecture: Architecture includes designing and constructing plans which require detailed measurement, thus it includes the use of MM for measurement.
- Technology: MM is widely used to measure screen sizes of technical products like mobile phones, tablets etc. It is also used to measure the product dimensions of various hardware products.
How to convert MM into other units?
Conversion of Millimeters into other units is a simple and easy one step process but it is different for each unit. For example if you wish to convert MM into CM then you will have to divide the number by 10 to get the desired output but it would be different in the case of any other unit.
Some of the most common conversions from MM to other units are listed here for your convenience, have a look at them and convert MM to any other unit you want or vice-versa.
| CONVERSION | FORMULA |
| Millimeters to Centimeters (MM to CM) | Divide by 10 |
| Millimeters to Meters (MM to M) | Divide by 1000 |
| Millimeters to Inches (MM to Inch) | Divide by 25.4 |
Common mistakes to avoid while measuring in MM
Even though measuring in MM is no rocket science, some people make avoidable mistakes and get stuck in the confusion chart of units. More than while using the measurement unit, people make mistakes while converting units due to improper knowledge or confusion.
Some of the common mistakes which people often make but you can avoid are:
1. Confusing units with one another
I have noticed that people usually get confused between CM and MM. You have to always remember that 1 cm = 10 mm and they are not the same. You can convert mm into cm or cm into mm but these two are completely different. These are often interpreted as the same causing confusion and mistakes.
2. Ignoring small differences
People often overlook the small differences while measuring anything but these small differences can make a huge impact on the overall output of the product. If you are stitching someone’s cloth, even 1-2 mm can make a difference.
3. Rounding off too early
When you are converting mm to other units, make sure you do not round off very early as this can give you imperfect results. It is always suggested that you use at least up to two decimal places.
4. Use the wrong side of the ruler
This is one of the mistakes most commonly done by the students. Students often do not realise and measure from the wrong side of the ruler. Always remember that the ruler has two sides: Millimeters and Centimeters (MM and CM). Keep a check on which side you’re measuring from.
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FAQs on MM Full Form
What is the full form of MM?
The full form of MM is Millimeter.
How many centimeters are there in 1 millimeter?
In one millimeter, there are a total of 10 centimeters.
Can you measure liquids in MM?
No, mm is not used for measuring the quantity of liquids. It is only used for measuring length or thickness.
Which side of the ruler shows Millimeters?
The side of the ruler which has small lines is of millimeters. 10 small lines = 1 centimeter.
