Glossary · Analytics and measurement
Metric
A defined quantitative measure used to observe behavior, condition, progress, or outcome.
Also called: metrics
Definition
A metric has a calculation, unit, scope, source, and time range. Useful reporting also explains why the metric matters, what can distort it, and which decision it informs.
Why it matters
Well-defined metrics turn data into a shared language for diagnosing performance and deciding what to change.
Common misunderstanding
A metric is not automatically a goal, and a number moving upward is not automatically good for the business.
Related terms
Related system family: Measurement & Search Signals
Sources
- Google Analytics Data API overview (opens in a new tab) · Google for Developers
Last reviewed July 16, 2026