decimetre

A decimetre is a unit of length in the metric system, equal to one-tenth of a metre. Since a metre is a standard measurement roughly equivalent to a yard, a decimetre is about 10 centimeters, or roughly the width of a large adult’s hand. It is often used in science and everyday measurements where a smaller unit than a metre is needed. For context, a typical school ruler is 30 centimeters long, so a decimetre is a third of that. It provides a convenient way to measure and communicate dimensions in a precise, standardized manner.