There are two systems in use for the unit conversion...
a) The old system (wakky, crazy, old system that is amazingly still in use in some countries like USA)
The old system also known as Imperial system or English system. Was originally based on measurements of parts of the body like foot, inch and so on...
Here is an intro of the equivalencies.... just for fun.
Here an example of unit conversions (first Example using the Old or English System)
b) The metric system: Is based on multiples and submultiples of 10. Its a more logical and scientific system accepted by The International Metic System of Units and the scientific commnunity world wide, dispite some countries continue to use the Old (English or Imperial) System.