Do Ford cars use metric?
Yes. Ford predominantly uses metric units for design, engineering and global specifications, though in the United States some imperial measurements persist in consumer-facing materials and certain service references. This article explains how Ford applies unit systems across markets and where you might encounter each system.
Metric in Ford's global design and engineering
What this means for customers and technicians
Ford is a multinational automaker with product development and manufacturing spanning continents. Across most markets, metric units are the standard for performance data, dimensions and capacities. In practice, this means engine displacements are listed in liters, torque in newton-meters, and body dimensions in millimeters. Fuel economy is typically reported in liters per 100 kilometers (L/100 km) or equivalent metric measurements outside the United States, while electrical and fluid specifications use SI units where appropriate.
Key metric measurements you will encounter in Ford's global documentation:
- Engine displacement expressed in liters (L)
- Torque specified in newton-meters (Nm)
- Vehicle dimensions such as length, width, and height given in millimeters (mm); wheelbase in mm
- Tire and wheel data described using metric sizing where relevant (e.g., tire width in mm within the tire code, while wheel diameter may be in inches when specified)
- Fuel economy reported in L/100 km in many markets (mpg is common in the U.S.)
- Fluid capacities (engine oil, coolant, etc.) in liters
In short, metric is the default for Ford's global product data, with occasional imperial references largely limited to the U.S. consumer interface and some service contexts.
Imperial conventions in the United States market
Where imperial units persist in U.S. materials
In the United States, Ford vehicles still display and reference imperial measurements in several everyday contexts, reflecting domestic market expectations. While engineering data in official international documentation tends toward metric, U.S.-market materials and servicing references may adopt imperial units to align with American practice.
Common cases where imperial units appear in Ford's U.S. materials:
- Speedometer readouts in miles per hour (mph)
- Torque specifications occasionally listed in pound-feet (lb-ft) in some shop manuals and maintenance guides
- Fastener and hardware descriptions in inches in certain parts catalogs and repair guides
- Tire and wheel information often presented with inch-based wheel diameters in consumer catalogs, even though tire codes themselves mix metric width with inch wheel diameters
- Fuel economy frequently quoted in miles per gallon (mpg) in U.S. marketing materials
Thus, for U.S. buyers and technicians, imperial conventions remain visible in everyday use, while the underlying engineering and global documentation continue to rely on metric measurements.
Summary
Ford uses metric as the global standard for engineering, design and most official specifications. In the United States, imperial units persist in many consumer-facing materials and some servicing references. If you’re reviewing Ford documentation or ordering parts for international use, you should expect metric measurements; for U.S. contexts, be prepared to encounter both systems. Understanding both helps interpret data accurately across Ford’s markets.
