Disclosure to Promote the Right To Information

Whereas the Parliament of India has set out to provide a practical regime of right to
information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities,
in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority,
and whereas the attached publication of the Bureau of Indian Standards is of particular interest
to the public, particularly disadvantaged communities and those engaged in the pursuit of
education and knowledge, the attached public safety standard is made available to promote the
timely dissemination of this information in an accurate manner to the public.
1 +, 1 +

01 ' 5

The Right to Information, The Right to Live

Step Out From the Old to the New

Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan

Jawaharlal Nehru

IS 965 (1963): Equivalent Metric Units For Scales

Dimensions And Quantities In General Construction Work [CED
13: Building Construction Practices including Painting,
Varnishing and Allied Finishing]

! $ ' +-
Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda

Invent a New India Using Knowledge

! > 0 B

BharthariNtiatakam

Knowledge is such a treasure which cannot be stolen

IS : 965 - 1963
(Reaffirmed 2010)

Indian Standard
EQUIVALENT METRIC UNITS FOR
SCALES, DIMENSIONS AND QUANTITIES
IN GENERAL CONSTRUCTION WORK

( Revised)
Fourth Reprint SEPTEMBER 1998
(Incorporating Amendments No.1 and 2)

UDC 53 081 4 69

Copyright 1979
BUREAU
MANAK

Gr 7

OF

BHAVAN,

INDIAN

STANDARDS

BAH ADUR
SHAH
NEW DELHI 110002

ZAFAR

MARG

March 1964

IS : 965 1963

Indian Standard
EQUIVALENT METRIC UNITS FOR
SCALES, DIMENSIONS AND QUANTITIES
IN GENERAL CONSTRUCTION WORK

( Revised)
Standing Working Committee of the Building
Division Council ( SWCB )
Representing
In personal capacit y (c/o Nariman Sons Private
Ltd. Nariman Building. 47A, Donlan); Master
Road, Dhabi TO/0o, Bombay)

Cha;rmlUl
SRal ERA-OK

A.

NADIR8RAB

Viet-Chairman
SaBI

C. P.

National Buildings Conat ruct ion Corporation Lt d.,

MALIK

New Delhi

Members
In personal capncir y ( , Rock Side " 1 J ~ Walkeswar
Road, Bombay)
SHRI H. K. DASTUR
Gannon Dunker lev & roo Ltd., Ahmorlubad
SURt'S. c. ~fAZUMDAR ( Alternate)
..
SRRI N. G. DEWA~
Cent ra l Public 'Vo, ks De pnrj.mcn t.
~BBI

K. F.

ANTrA

DIR8CTOR STASDARD8 (CIVIL).

RSSEARCH, DIl:810NS &. STASDARDS OROANIZATIO.s, S.MLA
88RI GO'~RDHAN L\L

Railway Board (

Roads \\ing,

~linl~t

~finistr'y

ry of Ru ilwu ,

~)

of 'I'rn nspor-t & Com mun ica-

t ions
SHRI

J. st.

TBEHA~ (

Alternate)

SHar C. L. HANDA

Centrnl \Vatpr & Pow e r Com m iss iou

MAJ-GEN HARK:IRAT SI:-iGR

Engineer n-Chiof's Branch, Al mv Headqunrt ors
MAJG~N R. A. LOOMHA ( AII~r"Qle )
SURI B. P. KAPADIA
In personal ca p ac u y ( c o Hindust an Construction

Company Ltd.,

COIl~t"("'On HOll.H',

Ballard

Estate. Fort, Bomba, -I )

SHiU
SaRI
SKRI
SHIH

N. J. ~1"8ASI
K. K. XA}lBIAR

R.

x,

Z. S.

SARMA
8HA1I

Foreat, Itt"sl'nreh l n ... t, t ,~t c ,~ (', d l('~\~"", Dvhra. l Ju II

rho COIlPrt:-to A ....... Otlu'l4)1) ollllll,.l, Bom l-uv
Directoruto Cl\ut'rul of ~"Hl!,ptl.~ & J)1~p0-\(lls
Hurmuh-Sue ll Oll ~l nl.l~l l\: Dr-t r rhu: ing Co. or

Indio. Ltd .

Bundl.l \

BUREAU

OF

INDI'AN

Continued

STANDARDS

MANAK HI-lAVAN, 9 BAIIADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG

NEW DELHI 110002

0/1

page

~ I

IS : 965 1963
( COllt'IJU,d/rom page 1 )
Members
LT-GBN H.

WILLIAMS

DB. H. C. VI8VJt8VABAY4,
Depu ty Director ( Bldg)
( S~cretQry )

Represe"/;,,,
Counoil of Scientifio et Induatrial Reeearoh, New
Delhi
Director, lSI ( Ex-offic!o M,mber )

Panel for Revision of IS : 965-1958

Convener
LT-GZN H.

SURI

\VJLLJAM8

Members
P. D. CHOW LA

REPRF.SESTATfVE

SSRIO.P. SHARMA

Council of Scientific &. Lnduat.r ial Research, New

Delhi
Central Puhlie Works Departrnent.
Engrnoer-j n-Ch iof ls BrarH~ht A rrny Headquart.erR
Iridian St andurds Lnst.itu t.rcn, Xew Delhi

IS : 965 1963

CONTENTS

PAGE

o.

FOREWORD

1.

SCOPE

2.

3.

SCALES FOR SURVEY PLANS AND

AND

ARCHITEC-

2.1 Topographical Maps

2.2 Town Surveys
2.3 Large Scale Surveys and Layouts
2.4 Preliminary or Sketch Drawings Dependent on the
Subject ...
2.5 Working Drawings: Plans, Elevations and Sections
2.6 Large Scale Drawings: General Details
2.7 Enlarged Details

7
7
7

SURVEYING INSTRUMENTS

Levelling Sta~
Measuring Tapes
Measuring Chains

9
9
9

3.1
3.2
3.3

4.

BUILDING

TURAL DRAWINGS

10

DIMENSIONS

4.1

Flooring Materials

10
10
10
11
11
12
12
12
13
13

4.2 Walling Materials

4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10

8
8
8
8

Assembled Components
Builder's Hardware
Roofing Materials
Ceilin.g Boards
Furniture
Sanitary Appliances
Pipes, Gutters, etc
Miscellaneous

IS : 965 1963
PAGE

5.

QUANTITIES

13

5.1

13
14
14
16
18
20
21
22
23
24
24
24
24

General
Excavation and Earthwork
S.3 Concrete
5.4 Brickwork and Stone Masonry
5.S Woodwork and Jojn~l"r (Meac;urements ) ...
5.6 Steel and Iron ,.york
5.7 Roof Coverings
S.8 Ceilings and Linings
5.9 Pavings and Floor Finishc~
5.10 Plastering and Pointing
5.11 White \\'ashing, Colour Wa~hing and Distempering
5.12 Glazing
5.13 Painting
5.14 Wood
Preservative
Treatment) Varnishing and
Polishing
5.15 Water Supply, Plumbing, Drains and Sanitary
Fittings ...
5.16 Electrical \,\'ork
5.17 Roadwork
S.18 Demolition and Dismantling

2S
25
26
26

6.

CARRIAGE OF MATERIALS

27

7.

WEIGHTS AND STRENGTH OF MATERIALS

28

8.

MISCELLANEOUS

29

5.2

ApPENDIX .c\

BASIC ~1ETRIC UNITS

25

30

IS: 96S 1963

I ndian Standard
EQUIVALENT METRIC UNITS FOR
SCALES, DIMENSIONS AND QUANTITIES
IN GENERAL CONSTRUCTION WORK

( Revised)

o.

FOR E W 0 R D

0.1 This revised Indian Standard was ad pted by t he Indian Standards

Institution on 12 November 1963, after the draft finalized by the Standing Working Committee of the Building Div is ir n Council had been
approved by the Building Division Council.

0.2 This standard was first issued in 1958. Since the issue of the
standard considerable cxpericnce has been gained with regard to actual
working to the standard during the la st few years. The various Public
Works Departments and orhei concer ned organizations adopted this
standard and difficulties in implementation of certain proposed metric
units were experienced. Thr- Committee has taken note of these and
has issued this revision which in addition to some minor modifications
incorporates an additional item on carriage of rna ter ials for which also
metric units have been suggested.

0.3 Dimensions of building materials and components, quantities of

construction work and strength of materials bear close inter-relation to
one another and influence preparation of ma t er ial specifications and
codes of practice. Further, the units of le ngt h, at ea or volume used
today, have significance in terms of the actual quantity implied, and
while making conver sion, care has to be exercised as to what the
equivalent quantity would mean in the new system. A concrete grasp
of the quantity eferrcd to by the units by reading a de sc: iption of thf"
quantity is an essential requirement in evolving sta nd ar d units; for
instance one cubic yard is vividly grasped as the volume of a cube
having a length, breadth and height equal to one yard. When converting into metric units, and choosing a ra t ionalized value, two requirements are to be fulfilled; firstly the equivalent unit should be in round
number, and secondly the equivalent unit should have an easily understood direct relationship to the original unit. One cubic metre which
is nearly equivalent to one cubic yard fulfils both these requirements;
the tonne which is equivalent to the pre-sent ton is also a nother instance.
The advantage in choosing such units as cubic metre and tonne is that

IS : 965 1963
the numerical value expressing the quantity either in the foot-pound
system or in the metric system will not change much and the quantity
specified can be easily imagined. In many other cases such a direct
conversion into a convenient metric unit is not possible, and consequently the conception of the actual quantity specified takes time to
grasp.
In the preparation of estimates for construction work where
certain units and rates in terms of such units ha ve been established by
tradition, the importance of choosing new units in the metric system
which have a simple and convenient relationship to these units is further
emphasized. The new unit will have a derived rate and the familiarization of this derived rate will be quicker if the relationship between
the former units and the metric units is direct and simple, preferably
in whole numbers.
On account of this close inter-relationship between materials and
quantities of construction work carried out and also in view of the
variety of materials and types of constructional quantities which even
a very simple type of construction involves, the necessity has been felt
to establish, as a first step, equivalent metric units which should be
used for dimensions, scales, quantities. etc, generally met with in the
building field. The proposed equivalen t metric units in place of the
existing units take note of the practices at present being followed in the
metric countries and the units which have become familiar and conversant over a period of their usc.
0.4 This standard has been prepared with the purpose of guiding the
various technical committees under the Building Division Council in
selecting the equivalent metric units for dimensions and quantities
which they come across while preparing standard specifications and
codes of practice. For convenience of reference, a tabulation of basic
metric units in regard to length, area, volume and weight is given in
Appendix A.

1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard lays down equivalent metric units for the various
dimensional values met with in general construction work and at
present expressed in the foot-pound-second ( fps ) system,

IS : 965 .. 1963
2. SCALES FOR SURVEY PLANS AND BUILDING AND
ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS
2.1 Topographical Maps
Metric Scale
to be Used

Ips Scale
Currently Used
1 in. = 4 miles ( 253 1440 )

~.2

1 in.

2 miles ( f2l,!720 )

1 in.

1 mile

(-63-~60)

1 em

= 2'5

1 em

km ( T5(

I km

I em = 0'5 km

000 )

(10(/ 000 )
(-50~00 )

Town Sur,eys
Metric Scale
10 be Used

Ips Scale
Currently Used
I mile

(-6-3J36If )

2 em = 1 km

(50 1000 )

3 in. = 1 mile

( 21 \ 20 )

4 em

(2S~)

1 in.

6 in. = 1 mile
10'56 in.
or I in.

(-10

1 mile} (

500 ft

~60

-6-000--

1 km

10 em

I em

I km

= 50 m

(-I~OOO)
(

~O

2.3 Large Scale Su',eys and Layouts

Metric Scale
to be Used

Ips Scale
Currently Used
i in.

1 in.

= 61ft (

1 in. =

100 ft

~OO )
--7~8-)

( 1

32 ft (

3~4

1 em =

1 em

to m
Sm

1
(~)
500

(2- Joo) may also be used t.hough there i.

NOTE - Metrio scale I em = 20 m

no corresponding fpllcale currently used.

IS : 965 1963
2.4 Preliminary or Sketch Drawings DepeadeDt on tbe Subject
Ips Scale
Metric Scale

Currently Used
I em -"

5m

(-

5~0

3~4 -)
1~2)

1 em =

2m

(-

2:m - )

9'6)

1 em =

1m :

(-T:xr )

1 in. -=- 32 ft

16 ft
8 ft

1 in. =

1 in.

to be Used
-)

2.5 Working Drawings: Plans, ElevatioDs and Sections

jps Scale
Metric Scale

Currently Used

(~--)

= 16ft

1 in.

to be Used

16

8 ft

1 in. =-

4 ft

18
4 --- )

1 in.

-)

I em

1 em

= I

2:m )

2 m, (
m

1 em = 0'5 m

(-'f~O)
;0

2.6 Large Scale Drawings: General Details

Metric Scale
to be Used

Fps Scale
Cuirently Used

l i IJ.

I ft (214)

1 em

20 em (

1 in.

1 ft

(-If)

I em

IOem

2~ )

(_1_)
JO

1.7 Enlarged Details

Metric Scale
to be Used

Ips Scale
Currently Used
1 in.

1 ft

(l~)

1 em

1 em

3 in. = 1 ft (

(-I~ )

5 em (

~- )

1'5
1 em = 2'5 em ( 2 )

4 in. -; 1 ft (-} )
6 in. =- 1 ft

10 em

(+)

1 em = 2 em
1 em:;: 1 cu;
or
FulJ Size

1 in. = 1 in.
or

Full Size

(-+)

IS : 96S 1963

3. SURVEYING INSTRUMENTS
3.1 LeveUI.. St" ( see IS : 17791961 Specification for 4-Metre Levelling
Staff, Folding Type )

Ips Staff
Currently Used

5 + S + 4 = 14 ft

Height

Metric Staff
to be Used

+2=

4m

001 ft

S mm

Ips Tape
Currently Used

Metric Tape
to be Used

100 t
50 ft
tin.

30m
20m
1 em

200 ft
100 ft
50 ft
25 ft
6 ft
3 t
i in.

50 m
30 m
20m

Division

3.2 Meuarlac Tap.

l) Woven Metallic Tapes

(set
*IS: 12691958
Specification for Metric
Woven Metallic Tape
Measures ):
Lengths
Division
2) Steel
Tapes
[see
*IS: 1270-1959 Specification
for
Metric
Steel Tape Measures
( Winding Type)]:
Lengths

Division
3.3 Meuurina Chalas
Surveying Chains)

Lengths

Link

10 m

2m
1m
Smm

(see IS : 1492-1959* Specification for

Metric

Ips Measuring
Chain Currently Used

Metric Measuring
Chain 10 be Used

100 ft

30 m
20m
200mm

66 ft
1 ft
9

IS : 965 1963

4. DIMENSIONS
4.1 FlooMI Materials
fp! Units
Currently Used
Slabs, tiles, etc:
Length, breadth
thickness

Metri Units
to be Used

and
in.

mmor em

Ips Units
Currently Used

Metric Units
to be Used

1) Stone blocks, bricks,

etc:
All dimensions

in.

mrn or em

2) Wall boards:
Length
Breadth
Thickness

t
in.
in.

mm or em
mm

3) Plaster:
Length and breadth
Thickness

ft
in.

mm

Ips Units
Currently Used

Metric Units
to be Used

1) Doors, windows and

ventilators:
Heig-ht and breadth
Thickness

ft
in.

rom or em

2) Parts of doors, windows,

ventilators, etc (such as
panes,
panels,
g la ..s
shutter sand 1'1 ames)

in. or 1't

mm or em

4.2 WaIIlDS Materials

4.3 Assembled Components

10

rom

1S:M5-1K3
4.4 a.Uder'1 Hardware

Ips Units
Curt.",ly U,ed

Metric Unlt8
to be U,~d

1) Espanded metal:

in.

Size of mesh
Dimensions of strands

mm
mm

in.

2) Wires:
Length
Diameter

ft

SWG

mm

3) Wire products:
Length
Diameter

ft or in.
SWG

morcm

ft
In.

m
mm

In.

mm

t
in. X in.
and Ib per ft
run

mm Xmm

mm

4) Mild steel bars:

Length
Diameter or side of square

S) Rivets, boits, nuts and washers:

All dimensions
6) Rolled steel sections:
Length
Size

7) Tower bolts, hinges, handles,

etc:
All dimensions

In.

m
and kg per m
run

mm

5 Roo8a. Materials
Ips Units
Currently Used

MM,;c Units
to be Used

1) Tiles, slabs, etc:

in. or ft
in.

Length and breadth

Thickness
2) Asbestos cement sheets:
Length
Breadth.
Thickness

11

mm or em
rom

ft

in

mm or em

In.

mm

IS: MS 1963
/pI Un/II

Currently U"d
3) Plain and corrugated galvanized steel sheet:
Length
Breadth
Thickness
4} Copper roofing sheet:
Length
Breadth
Thickness

M,trk V,,'t8
ION U,.d

ft

in.
BG

mm or em

ft
in.
SWG

mm

111

mm or em
mm

5) Lead sheet:
Length
Breadth
Thickness

ft

in.
in.

mm or em

6) Zinc sheet:
Length
Breadth
Thickness

ft
in.
Zinc gauge

mm or em

Ips Units
Currently Used

Metric Unils
to be Used

ft
In.

m
mm

Ips Units
Currently Used

Metric Units
10 be Used

1) Overall dimensions

In.

mr-: or em

2) Parts:
Length and other dimensions

in.

mm or em

Ips Units

Metric Unit:
10 be Used

mm

01

mm

4.6 CeWDI Boards

Length and breadth

Thickness

4.7 Furniture

4.8 SaDitary Appliances

Currently Used

Length, breadth and thickness

12

In.

mm

IS : 96S -1M3
4.9 Pipes, Gatten, etc

Ips Units
Currently Used
I) Pipe!' ( asbestos, stoneware or
metallic ):
Length
Other dimensions

M,tr;c Un;,s
to be Used

ft

in.

rom

ft
in.

mm

Ips Units
Currently Used

Metric Units
to be Ustd

in.

mm

ft

m or em
em

2) Gutters, Metallic:

Length
Other dimensions

4.10 MI.eellaaeoal

1) Aggregates for concrete (size)

2) Timber:

Length
Girth
Cross-sectional dimensions

s,

in_
in.

mm

QUANTITIES

5.1 Geaeral

Ips Units
Currently
llsed

Corresponding Metric
Metric Value Units to
be U,~d

1) Dimensions shall be measured to the nearest

01 ft

0-03 m

001 m

2) Areas shall be worked out

to the nearest

0-1 ft l

0-009 m'

001 mt

01 ft a

0003 rna

001 m l

contents shall be
worked out to the nearest

3) Cubic

NOT. - Theae proviliona will apply only to such items (or which definite
degree of acouraoy has not been specified.

13

5.2 IScaYitioD ad Earthwork

Ips Units CorrespondIn,
C&lrr~1Jtly M~tric

Used
1) Rough excavation, found- {I 000 ft l
ation trenches, and exca100 ftl
vation over areas
yda
2) Surface excavation
{ 100 ft l
3) Surface dressing
1 000 ft l
4) Trenches for pipes, cables,
etc
100 rft
S) Return, fill and ram
100 ft a
I 000 ft a
{ 100 ft l

6) Forming embankments
7) Removal of excavated material; the distance (lead)
of removal shall be in
units of
8) Lifting of excavated material; the heigh t (lift)
shall be in units of
9) Planking and strutting to
uphold the face of loose
earth
10) Puddling
11) Hard core and floors of
shingle, ballast, moorum,
red bojri
12) Filling in soakage pits
13) Hand-packed filling of stone,
brick-ballast, etc

100 rft

5 ft

Metric
Value Units to be
Used

28-3 rnl
283 rna
0-765 rnl
9-29 m l
929 rnl
30-~

2-83 m l
='83 rna
2-83 rna

30-5 m

I-52 m

10 ml

rnl
rnl

10 m t
100 m l
m

m'
10 m'
ma

SOmor 10 m

1 m or I-S m
10 rnl or m l

100 fl l
100 ft 3

rna

100 fll
100 ft l

rna

100 ftl

5.3 COberete

Ips Units Corresponding Metric

Currently Metric Value Units to be
Used
Used
I) Concrete work

14

yda
(t'

0-765 Ibl
28 -dml

rna
10 dm l

IS : 965 - 1963

Ips Units Corresponding

Currently
Used

Units to
be Used

rn'
lOdmJ

2) Concrete cast-in-situ in solid

articles ( reinforced or otherwise)

ft l

0028 rnl
28 dm l

3) Precast cement concrete

solid articles (reinforced or
otherwise )

ft l

0'028 rna
18 dm3

block

{loo ftft a

S) Special finish to concrete

block construction

100 ft t

4) Precast
concrete
construction

6) Reinforcer) cement
cree-in-situ chojja.

7) Exjansion joints in concrete work:

Length per mm width
and per em depth

8) (a)

ft
'
rft

100 rft

~onct'ete

100 ft 3

casing
to
{
learns and the like
ft l
(b) ~rapping of netting,
t OO ft2
sxpanded metal, for
t2
{
roncrete casing, etc

t OO ftl
9) Cavty walls of concrete,
{
store, brick, etc
ft 2
10) Surfice channels
11) Danp-proof course

100 rft
IOO ft2
{
ft'

12) Wat'rproofing:
\\tterproofing agent

Surlce treatment

gal per
cwt of
cement

ftl
{ 100 ft l

15

rna
10 dm 3

ml

con- {

Metric

Metric Value

10 dml

9-29 m l

10 m 2

28 dml

10 dm 3
m

0305 m

305 m

10 m

m3

283
28 dm 3

9'29 m 2

93 dm 2
929 m t
93 dm 2
305 m

m3
10 dm3
10 m l
10 dm 2

10 m t
10 dm2

10 m
2

9 29 m
9-3 dm!
895 Iitres
per quintal
of
cement

0-093 m'
9-29 m l

10 m 2
10 dm 2

litre per
50 kg of
cement
or
k't
per SO
kg of
cement

rnl
10 mt

IS: "5 -1M3

Ips Unit Corresponding

M~trlc

Currently Metric Val.. Unit to

Used
be Used
13) lallie. and louvres of concrete, wood, etc

ft 2

9-3 dm l

10 dm l

14) Fencing posts of:

Concrete
Wood

fl l
rft

28 dm l
0-305 m

10 dm l

ft 3

{0-028 rna

IS) Piles:

Concrete pilei

10 dm J

(t 2

28 dm'
0'305 m
9-29 m 2
9'3 drn!

fl'
ft 2

28 dm 3
9-3 dm 2

10 dm l
10 drn"

rtS

28 dm3

10 dm 3

Wood piles

rft

Sheet piles

{ 100 ft l

driving

J6) Pitching and

ml
m
10 m t
10 dm l

of

piles:
Whole piles
Sheet piles
17) Cement breeze blocks
J8) Cutting in concrete, brick

masonry per mm width and

per em depth

100 rft

19) Toothing and bonding in

masonry,
stone
brick
masonry, concrete work,
etc

100 ft l

30-5 m

9-29 ml

10m

10 m l

S.4 Brickwork aDd Stoae Muoary

Ips Units
Currently
Used
1) Brickwork
masonry

and

stone

Correspondng Metric
Metric Va;e

Units 10
be Used

100 ft 8

2-83 rna

rna

2) Honeycomb brickwork of
5 pecified th ickness

100 ft l

2-83 rn3

m2

3) Under pinning

100 ft S

9'29 rn':

10 m2

16

IS: 965 1M3

IpS Units Co"espondln.

Cur,~ntly M~tric

Valw

Used

j 100 rft
1100 ft l

4) Brick or stone edging

S) Filleting

100 rft

6) Jlrickwork or stone masonry

around steel joists

100 ft l

7) Extra labour for stone

masonry
or
brickwork
around steel joists

100 ft'

8) Extra labour
stonework:

in

Mel'"
Unit, tD
b U"d

305 m
283 m l

JOm

305 m

10m

2'83 m l

ml

10 ml

dressed

Sunk to faces, beds and

joints and moulded
work in cornices and
the like

ft l

93 dm l

Chamfers, arrises, splays,

rounded
bullnose
angle, rebates, grooves
and cutting

rft

O30~

10 dml

9) Levelling up in stonework
with lime or cement concrete

100 ft l

10) Dressing to arches in faced

work

ft l

93 dm'

JO dm l

11) Dressed stonework

ft l

28 dml

10 dm l

rft

030S m

10 ml

12) Angles in facings:

External angles

Squints.
birds-mouths,
splayed or rounded
angles
13) Stops, mitres, etc
14) Boulder work

17

100 rft

30S m

10 m

rft

0-305 m

100 ft l

283 m l

ml

IS: 965 1M3

5.5 Woodwork ud Jollie'" ( Me.analeaft )

/p, Unit'

Corresponding

Currently Metric Value

Used

1) Lengths shall be measured

to the nearest

Metric
Units to
be Used

in,

2-S4 em

em

in,

1-27 em

em

i in.

3-2mm

mm

ft'

28 dm l

10 dm l

S) Shoring and strutting

100 ft'

2-83 m'

rn l

6) Rough boarding in temporary partition

100

ftl

9'29 m'

10 m l

7) Centering to brick or stone

arches

100 ft l

9'29 m t

10 rnl

9'29 m l
9-3 dm'
9-3 dml

]0 m l
10 dm l
10 drn"

2) Width of surfaces to the

nearest

3) Width of single or detached

boards and thickness of all

boarding to the nearest

4) Framework

8) Formwork to:

{100ft'ft

Concrete
Moulding

ft'

9) Fillets required to produce

throating

100 rft

10) Planing of timber

II) Scribing, notching
circular cutting in:
Cubic timber
Boarding

30-S m

10m

100 ft'

9'29 ml

10 m'

ft l

9-3 dm'
0-305 m

10 dml

and

rft

12) Rebates, tongues, grooves,

beads, staff beads and
ftutes and mouldings
13) Roof battens

100 rft

{100ft ft
l

18

30'S m

10 m

9..29 m t

10 m'

28 dm l

10 dm'

1S:M5-1H3

Ip, Units CO"~sPDntI",,

Currently Mltrle Value

M"rlc
Units to

Uletl

be Used

100 ftl

10 mI

14) TrelJis work:

Generally
Doors.
and windows
formed in trellis work

ftl

15) Plugging to walls

100 rft

9-3 dml

30-5 m

10 dml
10m

16) BaIlie.

rft

O30S m

17) Rough-hewn scantlings

ft'

28 dml

10 dml

100 ft'

929 rnl

10 m l

18) Rough planking

J9) Wood piles [ (see 5.3) ( item 15 ) ]

28 dml

20) Door and window cMwlca,.

ft l

21) Fitting frames, fixing and

hanging
with
hinges,
pivots, etc

ft l

10dml

22) Cased frames of vertical

sliding windows

ft l

lOdml

23) Skirting cornices, picture

and dado rails, etc

rft

0-305m

rft
rft
rft
ft l

030S m
0-30S m

IOdm'

24) Staircases:
Wall.tring., outer strings
and cut strings
Hand-rails
Turned work
Treads, risers
Circular cutting and
waste
Sealing joints of plaster
or fibre boards
Chamfering or rounding
edges of fibre boarding
and cutting v-groove

19

100 rft

0-305 m
9-3 dml

30S m

10 m
10m

100 rft
100 rft

m
m
m
10 dm l

305 m

10 m

IS: M5 -1M3

5.' Steel ud Iroa Work

g: Unlt8

Co,r~8pondln,

Metric YQ/ue

Metric
Unit, to
be U,~d

cwt

0-508 quintal

quintal

etc

f cwt
ton

1-016 tonnes
0-508 quintal

tonne
quintal

3) Gates

ft l

9-3 dml

IOdml

cwt

0-508 quintal

quintal

rft

0-305 m

{ 100 rft

JO-5 m
0-305 m

10m

rft

7) Expanded metal

100 ft'

9-29 m'

10 m l

8) Fabric reinforcement

100 ft'

9-29 m l

10 ml

9) Wire netting in wrappings

to steel work embedded in
concrete
100 ft l

9-29 m l

10m'

""~lItl,

U.d

1) Plates, flab, angles, bars

for reinforcement and general purpose, channels, etc

2) Mild steel beams, joists,

4) Spiral
shaft

staircases:

centre

S) Railings

6) Flue pipes

100 rft
cwt

10) Hoop iron

11) Bolts, nuts and washers

cwt

30-5 m
0-508 quintal

10m
quintal

0-S08 quintal

quintal

30-5 m

10m

12) Wire fencing

leO rft

13) Patent plain wire fencing

100 ft l

9-29 m l

10m'

14) Wire mattressel, nets, etc

100 ft l

9-29 ml

10m'

IS) Rolling shutters

ft l

9-3 dm l

10 dm l

16) Collapsible gates

cwt

0-508 quintal

ft l

9-3 dml

quintal
10 dml

ft l

9-3 dml

10 dml

11) Steel doors and windows

20

IS: 965 -1M3

5.7 Roof Coyerla..

Ips Units Corresponding

Cu,rently

Metric Value

Used

1) Roof coverings

100 ft'

2) Sheet roofing:
Ridges. hips and valleys
Rolls, drips and flashings

100 ft l

3) Raking cutting and waste

to hips, valleys, etc

rft

M~t'lc

Unit, to
be Used

9-29 m'

10 ml

0-30S m

m
10 ml

9-29

ml

100 rft
rft

30-Sm
0-305 m

10m

100 rft
rft

30-5 m

10m

4) Asbestos-cement sheets:

Filler pieces, aprons,

barge boards, corner
pieces, flashings, louvres and similar specials

0-305 n

Ridges, hips and raking

cutting, etc (lee items 2 & 3 above)
S) Roof tiling:

Ridges, hips, etc

100 rft

30-5 m

Hips and ridges formed

in plaster

100 rft

30-5 m

10 III

100 rft

30-5 m

10 m

Filling ends and spaces

100 rft

30-5 m

10 m

Screwing eave tiles

battens

100 rft

30-5 m

10 m

Half tiles or 1t tiles at

verges

100 r ft

30-5 m

10 m

Tiles at verges bedded in

mortar on walls

100 rft

30-5 m

10 m

Cutting and waste to

square
abutments chimney stacks, and
the like

100 r ft

30-5 m

10 m

Eave

tiles

bedded

in

mortar

to

21

IS I '65 1963

M,trlc
Unit,
be U,ed

Ips Units Corresponding

Currlntly Metric Yalw

'0

Used

6) Terraced roofing:

ft 3

Jack arches

Lime concrete in terraein~ over jack arching,

R C slab roof, etc
100 ft'
Fair finish or trowelled
smooth to surface of
lime concrete
100 ft l
Mud layer on terraced
verges
100 ft l
Waterproofing layer
100 ft l
Weight of
7) Felt-work:
felt in
Ib per
100 ft l
Dressing or sealing top
100 ft l
of felt by bitumen
Felt strips
100 ft l
8) Matting, thatch and bamboo work:
Ridges and hips
100 rft
Matting, cover strips and
cross bracings of split
bamboos
100 ft 2
Bamboo work
100 rft
Bamboo-framing
and
trellis or jaffri work
100 ft l

m
{ 0'028
28 dm
l

ml

10 dml

2'83 rn

m l or rn l

9'29 m l

10m'

9'29 m l
9'29 m l

10 ml

'

Weight of
felt
0'049 kg
per rnl
9'29-ml
9'29 m l

10 m l
Weight of
felt in
kg per
ml

10 m'
10 rnl

30'S m

10m

9'29 m l
30'S m

10 rn l
10 m

9'29 m l

10 rn l

5.8 CeWnp and LiDiDp

Ips Units Corresponding

Currently

Metric Value

Used
1) Ceilings and linings
2) Cover fillets, sealing joints,
c~amfering, rounding, etc
3) Insulation board, slabs, etc
4) Hollow insulation blocks

22

100

ft l

100 rft

tOO, ftl
tOO ft l

Metric
Units 10
be Used

ml

10ml

30'S m
9'29 rnl
2'83 rn'

10 rnl

9'29

10 m

rnl

IS : 965 1M3
5.' Pa,I... aad Floor FlaIIlae.
Ips Units Corresponding
Currently Metric Value
Used

Metric
Units to
be Used

m'

100 ft l

9"29 m t

10

2) Treads, risers, etc

ft l

9-3 dm l

10 dml

3) Moulded nosings

rft

0-305 m

1) Paving and floor finishes

4) Surface finish to concrete

floors

100 ft-

S) Cement-concrete
skirting

100 rft

9'29 m l

10 ml

caved

30-S m

ml

100 ft'

9-29 m l

10m'

100 tl

2-S3 rnl

8) Granolithic finish

100 ft l

9-29 ml

9) Terrazzo laid on floors

100 ft l

9-29 ml

ml
10 ml
10 m l

6) Building paper

7) Underlayer
paving

of

sand

to

10) Extra for internal and

external angles in terrazzo
floor

100 rft

30-S m

10 m

100 rft

30-S m

10 m

11) Narrow bands in terrazzo

finish

12) Coloured topping to cement

floors
13) Mosaic finish
14) Brick paving:
Raking or circular fair
cutting
15) Wood block paving and
parquet finish:
Forming of expansion
joints per mm width
and ~er em depth

100 ft l
100 ft l

9-29 m 2

929 m

to rnl
10m or m l
'

100 rft

30'5 m

10 m

100 rft

30-S m

10 !D

100 rft

30-S m

10 m

100 rft

305 m

ml

16) Asphalt paving:

Internal angle fillets

Skirting

23

IS :"5 -1M3
5.10 Plat.rIaI aad PolatiDI
Ips Units Corresponding
Currently Metric Value
Used
1) PIaltering and pointing
generally
2) Pointing in single detached
joints
3) Raking out joints
4) Plastering bands not exceeding 30 em in width per em depth and per mm
projection
S) Stone imitation
6) Flush or staff beads

Metric
Units to
be Used

100 ft-

9-29 ml

10m'

100 rft
100 ft-

30-Sm
9-29 rnt

10 m t

100 rft
100 ft l
100 rft

30-5 m
9-29 m l
.30-5 m

JOm

10 m
10 m 2
10 m

S.11 White Washing, Colour Washing and Distemperi. .

Ips Units Corresponding

Currently Metric Value
Used
100 ft 2

Generally

9-29 m 2

Metric
Units to
be Used
10 m 2

S.ll GlaziDa
ips Units Corresponding
Currently Metric Value
Used
1) Genera IIy
2} Hacking out old broken
glass

Metric
Units to
be Used

100 t2

9"29 m 2

10 m 2 or m 2

100 ft 2

9-29 rnl

10 m 2 or m 2

5.13 PaJating

Ips Units Corresponding

Currently
Used

Metric Value

Metric
Units to
be Used

100 ft 2

9-29 m Z

lOm 2orm2

I) Painting
2) Painting up to 150 rom in
width or girth not in conjunction with similar painted work

24

100 rft

30'S m

10 m

IS : 965 1963
5.14 Wood Preservative Treatment, Varnisbing and Polisbing

Ips Units Corresponding

Currently Metric Value
Used

10 m l

100 ftt

Generally

Metric
Units to
be Used

5.15 Water Supply, Plumbing, Drains and Sanitary Fittings

Ips Units Corresponding

Currently
Used

tOO rft

1) Pipes

Metric Value

10 m

305 m
929 m

Metric
Units 10
be Used

10 m l

2) Insulating coverings

100 ft

3) Concrete beds, haunchings

and cover ings stating details of section size of pipe
and mix -of concrete

100 rft

305 m

10 m

4) Effluent drains

100 rft

305 m

10m

5.16 Electrical Work

Ips Units Corresponding

Currently Metric Value
Used
1) Overhead earth wire, bearer
wire, cradle, anti-climbing
device, over-head conductor, etc

2) Service
cables

0454 kg

lb

connection

Metric
Units to
he Used

kg

ana
100 rft

305 m

10m

3) Ducts, cover tiles and ot-her

form of protection for
underground cables

100 rft

305 m

10 m

4) Flexibles

100 rft

30-5 m

10 m

ft 2

5) Boards

25

93

dm 2

10 dm

IS : 965 1963
5.17 Roadwork

Ips Units
Currently
Used
1) Collection of aggrega te
2) Measurement of roadwork
pertaining
to buildingwearing coat

3) Bases or soling

Corresponding
Metric Value

Metric
Units to
be Used

9-29 m l
2-83 rna
28 dm
'

10 m 2
rna
lOdm 3

100 ft l

100 ft 2
tOO fll

ft 3
4) Tar and bitumen for road lb per iOO
surfacing
ft' of road

S) Edging of premixed metal

6) Special surface finishings
7) Expansion and dummy
joints - per em depth and
per mm width
8) Screening and/or breaking
of road aggregate
9) Scarifying
10) Berms [( see 5.2 ) (item 3) ]

0-049 kg/m 2

100 rft

kg/ml of
road
surface
10 m

100 ft 2

10 m l

100 rft

10 m

100 ft 8
100 tl

10 m 2

5.11 DelDolitlo. aad DlsmaatllDI

NOTE - The unita of meaeurement where applicable shall generally be the lIame
.. thoae employed for conetructlon of the work_

Ips Units Corresponding

Currently Metric Value
Used
1) Removal of material shall
be in the units of

100 ft l

2) Mud on roofs

cwt
{ 100 ft 2

3) Sheet, lead in roofs

4) Supporting members, such
as roof battens; purlins,
beams, etc, of wood or
concrete

26

ft l

283 rna
0-508 quintal

Metric
Units 10
be Used

SO m or
10 m
rna

g-29m
'

quintal
10 m'

28 dml

10 dm l

IS : 965 1963

Ips Units Corresponding

Currently Metric Value
Used
929 m 2
100 ft 2

S) Stripping of ceilings

Metric
Units to

be Used
10 m t

6) Breaking down floors, roofs

7)
8)

9)

10)

11 )
12)
13)
14)

of brick 0 r concrete
Taking down walls, piers,
etc,
brick or concrete
Reinforced concrete structures and reinforced brick
roofs and walls
Woodwork including rough
hewn scantlings average
40 cm2 section
Woodwork under 40 em'
section
Rallies
Boarding
Steel and iron work
Picking up of drains, removal of water pipes, etc

or

100 ft l

28,\ Ins

rnl

100 fl 3

2'83 m 3

rna

ft 3

28 dm 3

10 dm 3

ft 3

28 dm 3

10 dm'

100 rft

10 m

305 m
O'.~05 m

rft
100 ft 2
cwt

929 m

100 ft S

2-83 rna

10 m t
OS08quintal quintal
2

mS

6. CARRIAGE OF MATERIALS

Ips Units Corresponding

Currently - Metric Value
Used
I) Lime, moorurn, building
rubbi-h , earth, manure and
sludge and excavated earth
100 ft 3
2) Sand,
stone aggregates,
soling stone, etc
100 ft 3
3) Bricks, tiles, etc
1 000 No.
4) Cement) stone blocks, steel
sections,
pipes,
below
100 mrn size and other
hea vy materials
ton
100 fta
5) Timber
ton
6) Tar, bitumen, etc
7) Steam coal
ton
8) All types of pipes above
100 yds
IOO-mm size

27

Metric
Units to
be Used

rn l
1 000 No.

1-016 tonnes
2'83 rn3
1016 tonnes
1'016 tonnes

tonne

rna
tonne
tonne

100 m

IS : 965 1963
7. WEIGHTS AND STRENGTH
OF MATERIALS

Ips Units
Currently
Us~d

Metric Units Conversion

10 be Used
Factor
(from fps
unit to
metric
unit)

rton

1'016

1) Simple weights of materials ~ cwt

0'S08
0'454
28"350

tonne
q ("Iuintal )
I lb
kg
Loz (Dunes) g (grams)

lb /yd
{ Ib/ft

2) Weight per unit length

rIb/ina

kg/m
kg/m

0-496
1488

glcma
g/m 8
qjm 3

27'680
16-018
0'664

3) Density

4) Concentrations

oz/im p gal gil

{ Ib/ft 3
gil

5) Compressive strength requirements of materials

Ib/ft
Lcwt/yd J

Ibjin 2

strength require- {lb/in. S

ments of materials
tons/in."

6) Tensile

8) Stresses (tensile, compressive bearing or shear)

kg/cm2

0-070

kg/ems

0-070
1S7S

kg/~ml

kg

Ib

7) Breaking loads of materials

f b/in.

tons/in. 2

9) Hydraulic pressure ( head)

Ib/in. 1

{tons/ftS

0454

kg/cm2
kgjmm 2

0'070
1"575

0-305

ft

10) Other pressures

6"236
16019

kg/ems

0'070
2

10937
4882

Ib/ft l

tonne/m
kg/m 2

ft

In.

mm

254

14) Moment of inertia

in. 4

em!

41'623

15) Section modulus

in.'

em

16387

11) Bearing pressures

12) Atmospheric pressure

head of water

In

13) Atmospheric .pressure

head of mercury

lll\

28

0305

'

IS : 96S 1963
Ips Units Metric Units Conversion
Currently to be Used
Factor
Used
( from fps
unit to
metric
unit)

16) Radius of gyration

in.

em or mm

254

( in.-lb
ft-lb
in.vtons

kg-em
kg-em
kg-m

1152
13-825
25808

18) Force

rIb/ft
tons/It"
i tonsrrft
Llb/rft

kg/m 2
tonnf:/m 2
tonne/rn
kgm

4-882
10937
3333
1-488

19) Speed and velocity

{ mile/h

17) Bending
moments

moment

and

kmjh

it!

In,"

1609
0'305

ftls?

m/~2

0-305

Cusec

m 3 js

0028

22) Velocity head

ft

0'305

23) Work and energy

foot

20) Acceleration
21 ) Discharge in rivers, channels, etc

pound

kilogram force
metre

O'J3R

kilowatt

0'746

hp

24) Power

8. MISCELLANEOUS
Ips Units Corresponding
Currently Me/ric Value
Used
Hei~ht

1) Reduced levels

in

0-305 m

mile"

Hei~ht

in

metres
above
mea n
sea level

ft above
mean
sea level
2) Catchment area

Metric
Units to
be Used

259 km 2

km 2 or

hectare
In.

3) Rainfall

29

2-54 em

mm

IS : 96S -1963

Ips Units Corresponding

Currently

Metric Value

Used
m ile
{ furlong

4) Road length
5) Land areas

1-609
0-201
0-405
tare
0-123
tare

acre
a cre feet

6) Storage in reservoir

7) Flow

million
; ft l
I million
Lgallons
rgal/s
-< cusec
Lft 3/d a y
acre/gal/s

to) Kinematic visc-osity

0-2 km

hectare

million rn l

4-55 meg
litres
4-5461/s
0028 rnals
0-028 rn 3/da y
0'089 hec-

9) Viscosity

km

3 hec- hectare m
metre
0-028 32
million rna

<

8) Duties

km
km
hec-

Metric
Units to
be Used

meg litres
lIs
ml/s
rn 3 /da y
hectare/
lIs

tare/l/sl
1 acre/fl 3 / 14-464 hechectares!
L day
tares/rn 3 /day rn 3 /d a y
(Ib1f t )/ s ( 1488 f.'{ Iem) 15 (g Icm )Is
ft 2/ 5
0'092 903 m 2 , s m2/s St
929'OJ St
( Stokes)

11) Surface tension

12i Cement bag ( weight) [see
IS: 2691958* Specification

for Ordinary, Rapid Hardening and Low Heat Portland Cement ( Revised) J

lb/ft

14-59 N/m

N/rn

1 cwt

50802 kg

50 kg

APPENDIX
(Clause 0_4)

BASIC METRIC UNITS

A-I. LINEAR Ml1;ASURES

==

1 centimetre ( em )
1 der imetre (dm)=-= 1 metre ( m )

10 millimetres ( mm )
10 centimetres (em)
10 decimetres (dm)

-------

Thrrd ....vision issued in 197(,

:::=

30

IS : 965 1963
10 metres ( m )
10 decarnetres
10 hecrometres

= 1 decarnetre
1 hectometre
1 kilometre

=
=

A-2. SQUARE MEASURES

100 square millimetres ( mm 2 ) = 1 square centimetre (em 2 )
100 square centimetres (cm 2 ) == 1 square decimetre ( dm 2 )
100 square decirnetres ( drn") 7" 1 square metre ( m 2 )
100 square metres ( m 2 )
~ I are (a)
100 ares
1 hectare
100 hectares
~ 1 square kilometre

A-3. CUBIC MEASURES AND CAPACITIES

1 000 cubic millimetres ( mm 3 )
1 000 cubic centimetres ( cm3 )
1 000 cubic decirnetres ( dm 3 )
10 millilitres (ml)
10 cent ilitres
10 decilitres
10 litres (1)
10 deca litres
10 hectolitres
1 000 kilolitres

1 ell hie centimetre (ems)

1 cubic decimerre ( dm' )
1 cubic metre ( m 3 )
1 centilitre
1 decili trc
IIi t re ( 1)
=-= 1 decalitre
= 1 hecto litre
1 kilolitre ( kl )
=-: 1 meglitre

A-4. WEIGHTS

= 1 centigram
== 1 metric carat

10 milligrams ( mg )
200 milligrams
10 centigrams
10 decigrams
IOgtdms(g)
10 dccag ra ms

1 decigram
I gl am ( g )
1 decagram
1 hectogram

1 kiiog ra m ( kg )

10 hectograms
100 kilograms ( kg )
1 000 kilogr arns ( kg )

1 quintal ( q )
I tonne ( t )

31

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

Headquarters:
Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zatar Marg, NEW DELHI 110002
Telephones 3230131,3233375,3239402
Fax 91 11 3234062,91 11 3239399,91 11 3239382
Telegrams Manaksanstha
(Common to all Offices)

Centr.1 Labor.tory:

Telephone

Plot No 2019. Site IV, Sahlbabad Industnal Area, Sahlbabad 201010

a-n 0032

Reglonsl Office.:
Central
*Eastern

Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zatar Marg, NEW DE~HI 110002

1/14 CIT Scheme VII M, V I P Road, Manlktola, CALCUTTA 700054

32376 17
3378662

Northern SeQ 335336, Sector 34-A, CHANDIGARH 160022

603843

Southern CIT Campus, IV Cross Road, CHENNAI 600113

23523 15

tWestern Manakalaya, E9, Behind Marol Telephone Exchange, Andhert (East),

MUMBAI 400093

8329295

Branch OffIces:
'Pushpak', Nurmohamed Shaikh Marg, Khanpur AHMEDABAD 380001

550 1348

8394955

Gangotn Complex, 5th Floor, Bhadbhada Road, T T Nagar, BHOPAL 462003

554021

Plot No 62-63, Umt VI, Ganga Nagar, BHUBANESHWAR 751001

403627

Peenya lndustnal Area, 1st Stage, Bangalore-Tumkur Road,

BANGALORE 560058

Kalaiketlur BUildings, 670 Avmaslu Road, COIMBATORE 641037

21 01 41

Plot No 43, Sector 16 A, Mathura Road, FARIDABAD 121001

8-288801

Savltn Complex. 116 G T Road, GHAZIABAD 201001

8-711996

53/5 Ward No 29, R G Barua Road, 5th By-lane, GUWAHATI 781003

54 11 37

5~56C, L N Gupta Marg, Nampally Station Road, HYDERABAD 500001

20 1083

E-52, Ch.taranJan Marg, C-SCheme, JAIPUR 302001

372925

117/418

s, Sarvodaya Nagar, KANPUR 208005

21 6876

Seth Bhawan, 2nd Floor, Behind Leela Cinema, Navaf Kashore Road,
LUCKNOW 226001

238923

NIT BUilding,

5251 71

Second Floor, Gokulpat Market, NAGPUR 440010

Pathputra Industnal Estate, PATNA 800013

262305

Institution of Engineers (India) BUilding 1332 ShlV8JI Nagar, PUNE 411005

323635

rc, No. 1411421, University

621 17

PO Palayam, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695034

-Sales Office

IS at 5 Chowrtnghee Approach, PO Prancep Street,

CALCUTTA 700072

27 1085

t SaJes Offace IS

at Novelty Chambers, Grant Road. MUMBAI 400007

3096528

*Sales Office

at IF' Block, Unaty BUildang, NarashlmarsJa Square,

2223971

IS

BANGALORE 560002
Printed at Simco Printing Pr.,. Delhi