The Real Reason the U.S. Still Uses Inches, Pounds, and Fahrenheit

There are only three countries that do not use the metric system (or the International System of Units, SI): Myanmar, Liberia, and the United States. The reason why the other two are part of this crew is pretty simple — Myanmar’s historical isolation kept it from adopting the metric system, and Liberia used to be a part of the U.S. until 1847.

The U.S. vs. the Metric System: A never-ending debate

But when it comes to the United States, the reasoning turns into what I’d call a “paradoxium” — a mix of paradox and spectrum. A paradox because it seems absurd but holds a deeper truth. A spectrum because reactions range from amusement to frustration to outright confusion. Stick around, and you’ll see what I mean.

Instagram’s Favorited Debate

This is one of those debates where everyone online loves to chime in, especially on Instagram. It’s a battle where Americans stand against the rest of the world — when you put it in words, it sounds almost unfair.

But instead of discussing why the U.S. still clings to the customary system and resists the metric system, the conversation has evolved into a more combative narrative: “Americans vs. The Metric System.”

The U.S. and Its “Imperial System”

Let’s clear something up first — the U.S. does not use the Imperial System. Instead, it follows the U.S. Customary System (USCS).

The British did wish for the U.S. to follow suit when, in 1825, they introduced the Imperial System. They hoped the U.S. would adopt it. But the Americans essentially said, “What was the war for if we’re just going to follow your ‘requests’?” and stuck with the older English units. Ironic, isn’t it? Just another addition to our paradoxium.

The Origins of U.S. Measurements

Late 18th & Early 19th Century

During this period, the U.S. was in a state of instability, so standardizing measurements wasn’t exactly a priority. Presidents like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson mentioned it here and there but never followed through. The metric system itself was still evolving, so it wasn’t even a strong contender for widespread adoption.

Mid-19th & Late-19th Century

By now, scientists and academics in the U.S. began advocating for metric adoption. But let’s be real — why would frat boys and sorority queens listen to nerds? Eventually, though, Congress passed the Metric Act of 1866, making the use of metric units legal but not mandatory. The U.S. also signed the Treaty of the Meter in 1875 along with 17 other nations.

20th Century

The U.S. tried to soft-launch the metric system, but like NASA’s Mars Climate Orbiter, it crashed and burned. The National Bureau of Standards recommended the switch, and even the U.S. Metric Association was formed. But Americans remained firm:

“The world follows us; we don’t follow the world.”

21st Century

In modern times, no real efforts have been made because, well, when you’re focused on being the biggest economy and biggest business in the world, your attention naturally doesn’t go toward the education of the country, right?

Why Doesn’t the U.S. Change?

The answer isn’t what you think. It’s not about education levels or a “pick me” syndrome — it’s about:

1. Resistance to change — The U.S. has functioned on this system for centuries. Changing it feels unnecessary.

2. Patriotism tied to tradition — Many believe sticking to old ways is patriotic.

3. Economic dominance — The U.S. has always believed that its economy is so strong that other countries adjust to its standards.

4. Business reluctance — Switching to metric would be costly for industries. No business makes changes that don’t benefit profits.

5. Half-hearted government efforts — The government never mandated the change, just made it optional.

So this altogether stands as something where people hope that if change happens, someone else should make the effort — ignoring the fact that no major transition happens overnight. Change requires consistent effort. Moving on, because let’s be honest, this isn’t a self-help podcast.

The Cost of Stubbornness

This issue is more serious than it seems. It does not end with debates in Instagram comments, TikTok roasts, or YouTube videos — it’s a real-life problem with real consequences, even for some of the U.S.’s biggest organizations, like NASA and the military.

· NASA’s $125 Million Mistake: In 1999, NASA lost its Mars Climate Orbiter because engineers mixed up metric and U.S. Customary Units. NASA expected Newtons, but one of its teams, Lockheed Martin, used pound-force (lbf), causing the orbiter to bein in Mars’ atmosphere — a $125 million ($238.35 million today) disaster.

· Military Confusion During the Cold War: The U.S. military’s use of Customary Units created conversion issues when working with metric-using allies, leading to inefficiencies and miscommunication.

· Medical Errors: According to the CDC, many emergency department cases result from misreading medication doses — like reading 0.5ml as 5ml — especially in children aged 1 to 5.

Conclusion

As I said at the beginning, this is a “paradoxium” — both a paradox and a spectrum of emotions.

It seems silly on the surface, yet it reflects a deeply ingrained mind-set in America. Other countries have successfully transitioned — India officially adopted metric in the 1950s-60s, yet local carpenters still use feet and inches. Canada switched in 1970, but everyday life still involves informal use of Imperial Units. One major argument the U.S. makes against full transition is cost — completely ignoring the undeniable truth that the U.S. once had to transition from English Units to USCS, which also took time and money.

The blame doesn’t only lie with ordinary people who follow what they were taught. The responsibility falls on those in power — the government and policymakers who shape America’s global image. While looking into this issue on a wider scale, I came across various experiences shared by different Americans. Some weren’t comfortable with how different the metric system is — especially when checking the weather or working out. American gym bros literally thought they were lifting heavier just because “lbs” is a bigger number than “kgs.” Funny how things keep sneaking into our paradoxium without us even realizing.

But then there was this one story of an 80-year-old American man who easily converted from USCS to metric — except for his car’s odometer because he didn’t want to do calculations in his head while driving. I guess they say it right when they say, exceptions are always there.

Until real efforts are made, nothing will change. Not that they care what some random person on the other side of the world is typing about them. So, here’s my full stop → .