{{short description|Unit of length 1/10 of a metre}} {{EngvarB|date=November 2023}} {{infobox unit | name = decimetre | image = Cd 3d.png | caption = A standard CD is {{convert|120|mm|dm|abbr=off}} in diameter. | symbol = dm | standard = SI | quantity = length | units1 = SI base units | inunits1 = {{val|0.1|ul=m}} | units2 = imperial/US units | inunits2 = {{convert|1|dm|in|disp=out|comma=gaps|lk=on|sigfig=5}} }}
The '''decimetre''' ('''{{lang|en-us|decimeter}}''' in American English; symbol: '''dm''') is a unit of length in the International System of Units, equal to one tenth of a metre, ten centimetres, one hundred millimetres, and 3.937 inches.<ref>{{cite web |title=decimeter – Dictionary Definition |url=https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/decimeter |access-date=2021-01-03 |website=Vocabulary.com }}</ref>
The common non-SI metric unit of volume, the litre, is defined as one cubic decimetre, although, from 1901 to 1964, there was a slight difference between the two due to the litre being defined using the kilogram rather than the metre.
The path length when measuring a chemical compound's specific rotation is measured in decimetres.
Markings of a ship's draught are shown in decimetres in most of the world.
== See also == * Metric prefix * Deci- * {{section link|Orders_of_magnitude_(length)|1_decimetre}} * Conversion of units, for comparison with other units of length.
== References == {{wiktionary|decimeter}} {{reflist}}
{{SI units of length}} {{unit-measurement-stub}}
Category:Metre -01 Category:Units of length