244,837,834,977,280

My step length is 0.8m. After taking 25 steps, I have travelled 20m (roughly 65feet). 5 times that is 100m. 10 times that is 1km. Notice how easy those numbers are to multiply and divide. And notice how much easier it is to take regular steps than heel-to-toe steps. You know you could memorize how big your body parts are in metric too, right?

I'd argue that the only reason your preferred units are easier for you is because you are familiar with them.

Also, even if I do have a meter stick, how tf am I supposed to measure and mark 0.288 of one?

If only there was a way to calculate 0.288 of a meter. Maybe we could get a mathematician to draw up some kind of formula that'd let us cypher 29% of a meter.

You take big steps. Those are one meter. And you're done faster. Good enough for a rough measurement.

I, and most people who work on land, can large-step a metre pretty accurately. In forty years of trade I don’t think I’ve ever under ordered product after pacing an area and adding 10% wastage.

The only time we routinely use accurate, calibrated measuring equipment is for boundary disputes.

Why are you pretending you don't know a yard and a meter are fairly close?

sure, but at that point you can just use any arbitrary unit if all you need to do is keep it in a rough ratio. the SI system is useful because it's standardized, allows for precision, and you can easily convert units. A liter is a decimeter cubed, try doing that with feet and gallons.

but yeah, i agree people would benefit from more straightedge and compass construction skills instead of trying to read the milimeters of a measuring tape that's not even guaranteed to be straight