What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
statistic
Example
The statistic shows that 80% of the population prefers coffee over tea. [statistic: noun]
Example
She studied statistics in college to learn how to analyze data. [statistics: plural noun]
metric
Example
We use the metric system to measure distance and weight. [metric: noun]
Example
The company tracks its sales metrics to evaluate its performance. [metrics: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Statistic is more commonly used than metric in academic and research contexts, while metric is more commonly used in business and industry settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between statistic and metric?
Statistic is generally considered more formal than metric, which is often used in casual conversation and everyday language.