Read a guide on English customary measurements listed in the Resources section of this article. Learn the terms for each unit of measurement. Distances are measured in inches, feet, yards and miles. Solid weights are measured in ounces and pounds. Liquid weights are measured in ounces, cups, pints, quarts and gallons. Temperatures are measured using the Fahrenheit system, which has a freezing point for water at 32 degrees, and a boiling point for water at 212 degrees. Complete any exercises offered to reinforce your familiarity with the terms.
Get measuring tools calibrated for the English system of measurement, such as a ruler or measuring tape, scales and thermometers. Get measuring cups and spoons for cooking using the English customary system. These will be items made or sold in the United Kingdom or the United States.
Weigh yourself using the English bathroom scale.Your weight in pounds will be 2.2 times your weight in kilograms. Take your temperature. Normal body temperature on the Fahrenheit scale is 98.6 degrees. Measure your waist circumference. Choose several household items to measure and weigh using your measuring tape and scales. For example, a dollar bill is about 6 inches long. For lightweight items such as a small book or cup of coffee, use the kitchen scale. A 200-page paperback will weigh approximately 7 ounces.
Use an online web mapping service such as Mapquest or Google Maps to determine the distance between familiar locations, such as between your home and place of employment. If these distances are shown in kilometers, either convert to miles by multiplying the distance by 6/10, or select the automatic option to convert to miles offered by the site.
Prepare recipes with quantities given in the English customary system. In cooking, liquid and solid weights are usually measured in teaspoons, tablespoons, ounces and cups. The BBC Food website, listed in the Resources, has recipes with quantities given in both measurement systems. This step is optional, but recommended.