Why Americans Hate the Metric System

Despite being home to innovation, global trade, and cutting-edge science, the United States still clings stubbornly to an outdated system of measurement. While nearly the entire world uses the metric system, Americans remain loyal to inches, feet, pounds, and miles. It’s not just habit – it’s a blend of historical accidents, political stalling, cultural pride, and a healthy dose of good old-fashioned American exceptionalism. But why exactly has the metric system failed to take root in the U.S.? The answer starts way back in the days of powdered wigs and sailing ships.

A Founding Father’s Metric Dreams Derailed

Thomas Jefferson was one of the earliest advocates for a standardized, decimal-based system in America. He championed uniformity in currency, weights, and measures as early as the 1770s. While in France, Jefferson even discussed metric reforms with Charles Maurice de Talleyrand, one of the architects behind France’s eventual adoption of the metric system. Jefferson loved the clarity and logic behind the new French measurements, especially their reliance on decimal points. He was ready to bring this streamlined order to American life – but fate had other plans.

The Pirate Detour That Changed Everything

Jefferson’s dreams of metric enlightenment were dealt a bizarre blow when he began corresponding with French naturalist Joseph Dombey. Dombey agreed to bring metric prototypes – physical standards for the meter and the kilogram – to the United States. Unfortunately, Dombey never made it. His ship was intercepted by British privateers in the Caribbean. Dombey was taken prisoner and died on the island of Montserrat, his precious metric samples sold off by pirates. That diplomatic disaster left Jefferson without the tools to promote metrication and allowed customary measurements to tighten their grip on American life.

The Government Snoozed Through Metric Reform

Even after Jefferson’s failed attempt, Presidents like George Washington and John Quincy Adams recognized the need for standardization. Congress, however, failed to act decisively. Jefferson’s reports proposing solutions were routinely shelved or ignored. In the early 1790s, Washington brought up the issue in multiple speeches, and yet legislative progress was slower than molasses – measured in US tablespoons, of course.

By the time Congress finally adopted a few official measurements based on British standards in 1832 – including the yard, gallon, and bushel – it was already too late. The United States had spent decades digging itself deeper into the imperial hole.

Industry and Inertia Cemented Customary Units

By the mid-1800s, American manufacturers had built entire factories and supply chains based on US customary units. Equipment, tools, and blueprints used inches and feet. Replacing all that machinery would’ve been expensive, disruptive, and unpopular with both business owners and laborers.

Even after Congress passed the Metric Act of 1866 – legalizing, but not mandating, the use of metric measurements – the US stuck with what it knew. Metric was allowed, not enforced. This gentle suggestion did little to shake the deep-rooted habits of industry and infrastructure.

Global Metric Adoption Left the U.S. Behind

While America was dragging its feet, much of the world was already hopping aboard the metric bandwagon. In the 19th century, countries across Latin America, Europe, and Asia adopted metric standards. Some did it to align with trading partners, others to streamline their governance post-colonization. France had kicked things off, and by the early 20th century, nations like Portugal, Belgium, Chile, Romania, and Austria had followed.

Even the United Kingdom, America’s old colonial power and original provider of imperial units, formally adopted the metric system in 1965. Yet in the U.S., sentiment remained stuck in the past, driven in part by a desire to be distinct and self-sufficient.

American Identity and the Spirit of Exceptionalism

Part of the reason Americans continue to resist metrication is cultural. The customary system, while less logical, feels familiar. It’s baked into everyday life – from miles per hour on road signs to pounds on food packaging. For many, switching would feel like losing a piece of national identity.

There’s also a bit of a rebellious streak. The U.S. has long taken pride in doing things its own way – whether it’s driving on the right side of the road, using Fahrenheit instead of Celsius, or spelling “color” without a “u.” Adopting a French-born system used by most of the world doesn’t sit well with those who see uniqueness as a virtue.

Scientists and Engineers Know Better

Oddly enough, the U.S. does use the metric system in many technical fields. Science, medicine, military operations, and international trade all rely heavily on metric standards. Engineers work in millimeters and Newtons. Doctors prescribe medication in milligrams. Even soda bottles are labeled in liters.

So while metric may not be visible on the street, it’s hiding in plain sight. This dual-system approach creates confusion but has also allowed the U.S. to remain globally competitive in high-tech industries without forcing metrication on the average citizen.

The 1970s: Metrication’s Almost Moment

In the 1970s, momentum briefly gathered for a full-scale conversion. President Gerald Ford signed the Metric Conversion Act of 1975, declaring metric the preferred system for U.S. trade and commerce. The act created the U.S. Metric Board, which aimed to educate the public and promote voluntary adoption.

But that’s where it stalled. There was no mandate, no enforcement, and very little real change. Seven years later, President Ronald Reagan pulled the plug by cutting funding and eliminating the Metric Board altogether. The public simply didn’t care enough to fight for inches versus centimeters. And industry? Well, most of it saw no benefit in spending millions just to relabel rulers and retrain workers.

Fear of Job Loss and Outsourcing

Labor unions in particular voiced concerns about metric conversion. Retraining workers, changing tools, and overhauling systems would be expensive. There were also fears – especially in the 1970s and 1980s – that companies might use the switch as an excuse to offshore jobs or automate processes.

Congress did try to soften the blow. The 1988 Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act encouraged federal agencies to go metric in procurement and grants. But again, it stopped short of requiring everyone to comply. So while some businesses adapted, many simply didn’t bother.

In Practice, It’s Already Here – Sort Of

It’s a popular misconception that the U.S. doesn’t use metric at all. In reality, it’s everywhere – you just have to know where to look. Beverage companies sell 2-liter bottles. Hospitals measure blood in milliliters. Athletes run 5K races. Even U.S. currency, based on decimal divisions of a dollar, is technically metric.

Rather than a clean break from the customary system, the U.S. has developed a patchwork approach. Metric lives side-by-side with inches and pounds, creating a confusing, often contradictory landscape of measurement that baffles tourists and students alike.

Britain’s Messy Metric Journey

If it’s any consolation, America isn’t the only country that fumbled metric adoption. Great Britain’s switch has been bumpy and inconsistent, leading to a system where distances are still measured in miles, but food labels use grams. The UK Metric Association even published a report in 2004 titled A Very British Mess, lamenting the lack of clear direction and coherence in the nation’s transition.

This shows that metrication is rarely neat. Even countries that officially adopt the metric system struggle with public acceptance and legacy systems.

Inches of Tradition, Miles of Resistance

The question of why Americans hate – or at least resist – the metric system is complex. It’s about more than just math. It’s tied to history, culture, pride, and practicality. Metric may be logical, but custom is comfortable. For better or worse, the U.S. customary system is part of the American story. And like most American stories, it’s messy, stubborn, and fiercely individualistic.

Will the U.S. ever go full metric? Maybe – but it won’t be today. Not when 12 inches still feels like a foot, and nobody wants to give up their yardstick just yet.