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The International Rule, also known as The Metre Rule, was created for the measuring and rating of yachts. Prior to the ratification in 1907, countries raced yachts under the own rules and any international competition was always subject to various forms of handicapping. These were often subjective and certainly open to protest.

During the early 20th Century, leading yacht racing countries came together and laid down a system that accounted for the rating of yachts, measurement rules, construction regulations (scantlings) and actual rules for racing. This was largely driven by the United Kingdom; the then Secretary of the YRA (later called IYRU and today ISAF), Brooke Heckstall-Smith had been in discussion with Scandinavians German and French yacht clubs and a conference was held at the Langham Hotel in London in July 1906. Representatives from eleven countries attended, together with an observer from the United States, and several respected nautical engineers and designers. The International Rule was formulated and a committee met again in October 1906 in Berlin to elaborate on the application of the Rule. The conference delegates met finally in Paris in October 1907 and ratified the International Rule. From the delegates, the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU) was formed the precursor to the present International Sailing Federation (ISAF).

The International Rule has been the backbone of Yacht racing. The Rule created a formula that took into account most problematic areas that had previously caused dissent among the racing nations. It does not restrict size - many individual classes were created. It allowed designers a degree of latitude - yet controlled unsafe extremes. It laid down construction rules and governed the use of materials - yet understood that the Rule must develop.

It is important to note the term Metre does not refer to the length of the yacht; it is the product of a formula and denotes the class. A Six Metre yacht can be from 10 metres to 12 metres in length.

Metre Rule has proven to be successful and enduring, seeing only minor revisions over the years. Whilst many different Metre Class yachts were constructed during those first heady years, three sizes have maintained their popularity; the 6, 8 and 12 Metre Classes. The year after the ratification, the 12 Metre Class were chosen for the Olympics - the 6 and 8 Metres were also used at different stages. The 12 Metre Class was used for the America's Cup events until 1986. Relatively new arrival is one-person 2.4 Metre Class, currently active Paralympics class.

International Rule should not be confused with Square Metre Rule.

• International Sailing Federation
• imeta
• 6mr
• 6metre