Length

Length

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

0.1 nm angstrom 110

10

astronomical unit

AU

149597870700 m [1] 149597870700 m Distance from Earth to Sun

barleycorn (H)

= in (see note above about rounding)

8.4610

bohr, atomic unit of length cable length (imperial) cable length (International) cable length (US) chain (Gunter's; Surveyor's) cubit (H)

a0

Bohr radius of hydrogen 608 ft 1/10 nmi 720 ft

5.291772085910 185.3184 m 185.2 m = 219.456 m

11

3.610

20

[2]

ch

66 ft(US) 4 rods

[3]

20.11684 m 0.5 m

Distance from fingers to elbow 18 in ell fm fm 45 in (In England usually) 6 ft

[4] 15 [4] [4]

ell (H) fathom fermi finger finger (cloth) foot (Benot) (H) foot (Cape) (H) foot (Clarke's) (H) foot (Indian) (H) foot (International) foot (Sear's) (H)

= 1.143 m = 1.8288 m

110

110

15

7/8 in 4 in ft (Ben) Legally defined as 1.033 English feet in 1859 ft (Cla) ft Ind ft ft (Sear) 0.3048 m 1/3 yd 12 inches

= 0.022225 m = 0.1143 m 0.304799735 m 0.314858 m 0.3047972654 m 0.304799514 m 0.3048 m 0.30479947 m

foot (US Survey) french; charriere furlong hand inch (International) league (land) light-day light-hour light-minute light-second

ft (US) F fur

1200 1

3937 m

[5]

0.304800610 m = 0.3 10
3

3 mm 10 chains = 660 ft = 220 [4] yd 4 in

[4]

= 201.168 m 0.1016 m .0254 m = 4828.032 m 2.5902068371210 1.079252848810

13

in lea

2.54 cm 1/36 yd 1/12 ft 3 US Statute miles 24 light-hours 60 light-minutes 60 light-seconds Distance light travels in one second in vacuum
[3]

12

1.79875474810 m 299792458 m
15

10

light-year line link (Gunter's; Surveyor's) link (Ramsden's; Engineer's)

ly ln lnk

Distance light travels in [6] vacuum in 365.25 days 1/12 in

[7] [4]

= 9.460730472580810 = 0.002116 m

1/100 ch 7.92in 1 ft
[4]

0.66 ft

= 0.201168 m

lnk

= 0.3048 m

metre (SI base unit)

Distance light travels 1 in 299792458 of a second in [8] vacuum. 1 10000000 of the distance from equator to pole. 200 in
1

1m

mickey micron mil; thou mil (Sweden and Norway) mile (geographical) (H) mile (international) mile (tactical or data) mile (telegraph) (H) mile (US Survey) nail (cloth) nanometer nautical league nautical mile (Admiralty) nm NL; nl NM (Adm); nmi mi mi mi mil mil

= 1.2710 110
6

m
5

110

in

2.5410

10 km 6082 ft 80 chains 5280 ft 1760 yd 6000 ft 6087 ft 5280 US Survey feet 1200 (5280 3937) m 2 in 110
[4]

= 10000 m

= 1853.7936 m 1609.344 m 1828.8 m = 1855.3176 m 1609.347219 m = 0.057 15 m 110

9

3 nmi

[4]

= 5556 m

= 6080 ft

= 1853.184 m

(Adm) nautical mile (international) nautical mile (US pre 1954) pace palm NM; nmi 1852 m
[9]

1852 m 1853.248 m = 0.762 m = 0.0762 m

1853.248 m 2.5 ft 3 in
[4]

[4]

parsec

pc

Distance of star with parallax shift of one arc second from a base of one astronomical unit 12 points

3.085 677 8210 610 m

16

[10]

pica point (American, [11][12] English) pt

Dependent on point measures. 0.000 351 450 m

1/72.272 in

1/12 1/72 of pied du roi; 0.000 375 97 m; point (Didot; [12][13] European)
[11]

pt

After 1878: 5/133 cm 1/72 in 1/72.27 in yd

After 1878: 0.000 375 939 85 m = 0.000 352 7 m = 0.000 351 4598 m = 0.2286 m = 5.0292 m = 6.096 m = 0.2286 m 110
12

point (PostScript) point (TeX) quarter

[11]

pt pt

rod; pole; perch (H) rope (H) span (H) spat

[14]

rd rope

16 ft 20 ft 9 in
[4]

[4]

stick (H) stigma; bicron (picometre) twip x unit; siegbahn yard (International) [edit]Area pm twp xu yd

2 in

= 0.0508 m 110
12

m
5

1/1440 in

= 1.763810 1.002110

m m
[4]

13

0.9144 m

[5]

3 ft 36 in 0.9144 m

Area

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

acre (international)

ac

1 ch 10 ch = 4840 sq yd 4 046.856 4224 m

acre (U. S. survey)

ac

10 sq ch = 4840 sq yd, also 43560 sq ft.

4 046.873 m

2 [15]

are

100 m

= 100 m

barn

10

28

= 10

28

barony board bd

4000 ac 1 in 1 ft (1 ft ) (1 bhp) / (240 BTUIT/h) /4 sq in /4 mil 192 bd 1 000 m

2 2 2

1.618 74210 m = 7.741 9210

3

boiler horsepower equivalent direct bhp radiation EDR circular inch circular mil; circular thou cord dunam guntha hectare hide rood section shed square (roofing) square chain (international) square chain (US Survey) square foot square foot (US Survey) square inch square kilometre sq ch sq ch sq ft sq ft sq in km
2

12.958 174 m

circ in circ mil

5.067 07510 5.067 07510

2 2

10 2

= 1.486 448 64 m = 1 000 m

2 2 2

121 sq yd ha 10 000 m
2

101.17 m

10 000 m 510 m
5 2

120 ac (variable) ro ac 1 mi 1 mi 10
52

= 1 011.714 1056 m = 2.589 988 110 6 2 33610 m = 10

52

2 2 2

10 ft 10 ft 66 ft 66 ft = 1/10 ac 66 ft(US) 66 ft(US) = 1/10 ac 1 ft 1 ft 1 ft (US) 1 ft (US) 1 in 1 in 1 km 1 km 1 lnk 1 lnk 0.66 ft 0.66 ft

= 9.290 304 m

404.685 642 24 m 404.687 3 m

2

9.290 30410

9.290 341 161 327 2 2 4910 m 6.451610 = 10 m

6 2 4

square link (Gunter's)(International) sq lnk

= 4.046 856 2 2 422410 m

square link (Gunter's)(US Survey) square link (Ramsden's) square metre (SI unit) square mil; square thou square mile square mile (US Survey) square rod/pole/perch square yard (International)

sq lnk sq lnk m
2

1 lnk 1 lnk 0.66 ft(US) 2 2 4.046 87210 m 0.66 ft(US) 1 lnk 1 lnk 1 ft 1 ft 1m1m 1 mil 1 mil 1 mi 1 mi 1 mi (US) 1 mi (US) 1 rd 1 rd 1 yd 1 yd = 0.09290304 m =1m
2 10 2 2

sq mil sq mi sq mi sq rd sq yd

= 6.451610

= 2.589 988 110 6 2 33610 m 2.589 998 4710 m = 25.292 852 64 m 0.836 127 36 m
2 2 6 2

stremma township yardland [edit]Volume

1 000 m

= 1 000 m

2 7 2

36 sq mi (US) 30 ac

9.323 99410 m 1.210 m

5 2

Volume

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

acre-foot

ac ft

1 ac x 1 ft = 43 560 ft

= 1 233.481 837 547 52 m

acre-inch

1 ac 1 in

= 102.790 153 128 96 m

barrel (imperial)

bl (imp)

36 gal (imp)

= 0.163 659 24 m

barrel (petroleum)

bl; bbl

42 gal (US)

= 0.158 987 294 928 m

barrel (US dry)

bl (US)

105 qt (US) = 105/32 bu 3 = 0.115 628 198 985 075 m (US lvl)

barrel (US fluid)

fl bl (US)

31 gal (US)

= 0.119 240 471 196 m

board-foot bucket (imperial) bushel (imperial) bushel (US dry heaped) bushel (US dry level) butt, pipe coomb cord (firewood) cord-foot cubic fathom cubic foot cubic inch cubic metre (SI unit) cubic mile cubic yard

fbm bkt bu (imp) bu (US)

144 cu in 4 gal (imp) 8 gal (imp) 1 bu (US lvl)

2.359 737 21610 = 0.018 184 36 m = 0.036 368 72 m

3 3

= 0.044 048 837 7086 m

3 3

bu (US lvl) 2 150.42 cu in 126 gal (wine) 4 bu (imp) 8 ft 4 ft 4 ft 16 cu ft cu fm cu ft cu in m

3

= 0.035 239 070 166 88 m = 0.476 961 884 784 m = 0.145 474 88 m
3 3 3 3 3 3

= 3.624 556 363 776 m = 0.453 069 545 472 m = 6.116 438 863 872 m 0.028 316 846 592 m 16.387 06410 1m
3 6

1 fm 1 fm 1 fm 1 ft 1 ft 1 ft 1 in 1 in 1 in 1m1m1m 1 mi 1 mi 1 mi 27 cu ft

cu mi cu yd

4 168 181 825.440 579 3 584 m 0.764 554 857 984 m

3

cup (breakfast) cup (Canadian) cup (metric) cup (US customary) c (CA) c c (US)

10 fl oz (imp) 8 fl oz (imp) 250.010

6

= 284.130 62510 = 227.304510

3 6 3

6 3

= 250.010

8 US fl oz 1/16 gal (US) 240 mL

[16]

= 236.588 236510 = 2.410

4

cup (US food nutrition labeling) c (US) dash (imperial)

1/384 gi (imp) = pinch = 369.961 751 302 9 3 (imp) 08 310 m 1/96 US fl oz = US pinch 1/12 gi (imp) gtt gtt 1/288 fl oz (imp) 1/1 824 gi (imp) 0.9964/12 ml 1/12 ml 1/20 mL gtt gtt gtt 1/360 US fl oz 1/456 US fl oz 1/576 US fl oz 1/5 US gal 9 gal (US) fl dr fl dr fl s beer gal gal (imp) gal (US) gal (US) gi (imp); nog gi (US) fl oz (imp) US fl oz 1/24 fl oz (imp) 282 cu in 4.546 09 L bu (US lvl) 231 cu in 5 fl oz (imp) 4 US fl oz = 308.057 599 609 9 3 37510 m = 11.838 776 041610
6

dash (US) dessertspoon (imperial) drop (imperial) drop (imperial) (alt) drop (medical) drop (medical) drop (metric) drop (US) drop (US) (alt) drop (US) (alt) fifth firkin fluid drachm (imperial) fluid dram (US); US fluidram fluid scruple (imperial) gallon (beer) gallon (imperial) gallon (US dry) gallon (US fluid; Wine) gill (imperial); Noggin gill (US) hogshead (imperial) hogshead (US) jigger (bartending) kilderkin lambda last litre load minim (imperial) min L

3 3

= 98.656 467 013 810 77.886 68410 = 83.0310 = 83.310 = 50.010

9 9

m
3 3

9 9

m m

= 82.148 693 2291610

9 9 9

3 3 3

64.854 231 496 7110 51.342 933 268 2310 = 757.082 356810
6

m m

= 0.034 068 706 056 m = 3.551 632 812510 = 3.696 691 195 6 3 312510 m = 1.183 877 6041610 = 4.621 152 04810 4.546 0910
3 3 6

3 3

m
3

3 3 3 3

= 4.404 883 770 8610 3.785 411 78410 = 142.065 312510

3

m
6

= 118.294 118 2510 = 0.327 318 48 m

3

hhd (imp) 2 bl (imp) hhd (US) 2 fl bl (US) 1 US fl oz 18 gal (imp) 1 mm

3

= 0.238 480 942 392 m 44.3610

6

3 3

= 0.081 829 62 m = 110

9

3 3

80 bu (imp) 1 dm
3 [17]

= 2.909 4976 m 0.001 m

3

50 cu ft 1/480 fl oz (imp) = 1/60

= 1.415 842 3296 m

3 9 3

= 59.193 880 208 310

fl dr (imp) minim (US) ounce (fluid imperial) ounce (fluid US customary) ounce (fluid US food nutrition labeling) peck (imperial) peck (US dry) perch pinch (imperial) min 1/480 US fl oz = 1/60 US fl dr = 61.611 519 921 9 3 87510 m 28.413 062510
6

fl oz (imp) 1/160 gal (imp) US fl oz US fl oz pk pk per 1/128 gal (US) 30 mL

[16]

3 6 3

29.573 529 562510 310

5

2 gal (imp) US lvl bu 16 ft 1 ft 1 ft 1/192 gi (imp) = tsp (imp) 1/48 US fl oz = US tsp

= 9.092 1810

3 3 3

= 8.809 767 541 7210 = 0.700 841 953 152 m = 739.923 502 9 3 6041610 m = 616.115 199 218 9 3 7510 m = 568.261 2510
6

pinch (US) pint (imperial) pint (US dry) pint (US fluid) pony pt (imp) pt (US dry) pt (US fl)

gal (imp)

1/64 bu (US lvl) gal 6 3 = 550.610 471 357510 m (US dry) gal (US) 3/4 US fl oz gal (imp) = 80 fl oz (imp) = 473.176 47310 = 22.180 147 171 6 3 87510 m = 2.273 04510
3 6

pottle; quartern quart (imperial) quart (US dry) quart (US fluid) quarter; pail register ton sack (imperial); bag sack (US) seam shot strike (imperial) strike (US) tablespoon (Australian metric) tablespoon (Canadian) tablespoon (imperial) tablespoon (metric) tablespoon (US customary) tablespoon (US food nutrition labeling) tbsp tbsp tbsp tbsp qt (imp) qt (US) qt (US)

gal (imp)

= 1.136 522510

1/32 bu (US lvl) = gal = 1.101 220 942 3 3 (US dry) 71510 m gal (US fl) 8 bu (imp) 100 cu ft 3 bu (imp) 3 bu (US lvl) 8 bu (US lvl) 1 US fl oz 2 bu (imp) 2 bu (US lvl) = 946.352 94610 = 0.290 949 76 m
6

3 3

= 2.831 684 6592 m = 0.109 106 16 m

3[citation needed] 3

= 0.105 717 210 500 64 m = 0.281 912 561 335 3[citation needed] 04 m 29.5710
6

3 3 3

= 0.072 737 44 m

= 0.070 478 140 333 76 m 20.010

6

3 6 3 3

fl oz (imp) 5/8 fl oz (imp)

= 14.206 531 2510

m
6

= 17.758 164 062510 15.010

6

3 6 3

US fl oz 15 mL
[16]

= 14.786 764 782510 = 1.510

5

teaspoon (Canadian) teaspoon (imperial) teaspoon (metric) teaspoon (US customary) teaspoon (US food nutrition labeling) timber foot ton (displacement) ton (freight) ton (water) tun wey (US) [edit]Plane

tsp tsp

1/6 fl oz (imp) 1/24 gi (imp) 5.010

6

= 4.735 510 41610

m
6

3 3

= 5.919 388 0208310 = 5.010

6

3 6 3

tsp tsp

1/6 US fl oz 5 mL
[16]

= 4.928 921 59510 = 510

6

1 cu ft 35 cu ft 40 cu ft 28 bu (imp) 252 gal (wine) 40 bu (US lvl)

= 0.028 316 846 592 m = 0.991 089 630 72 m = 1.132 673 863 68 m = 1.018 324 16 m
3 3 3

= 0.953 923 769 568 m

3 3

= 1.409 562 806 6752 m

angle
Plane angle

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

angular mil

2/6400 rad

0.981 3 74810 rad 0.290 3 88810 rad 4.848 6 13710 rad 0.157 3 08010 rad 1.570 6 79610 rad 17.453 3 29310 rad 15.707 3 96310 rad 0.785 398 rad 1.570 796 rad

arcminute; MOA

'

1/60 1/3600 1 grad/100 1 grad/(10 000) 1/360 of a revolution /180 rad 1/400 of a revolution 2/400 rad 0.9 45 90 The angle subtended at the center of a circle by an arc whose length is equal to the circle's radius. One full revolution encompasses 2 radians. 60 30

arcsecond centesimal minute of arc centesimal second of arc degree (of arc)

"

'

"

grad; gradian; gon octant quadrant

grad

radian (SI unit)

rad

= 1 rad 1.047 198 rad 0.523 599 rad

sextant sign [edit]Solid

angle

Solid angle

Name of unit Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

steradian (SI unit)

sr

The solid angle subtended at the center of a sphere of radius r 2 by a portion of the surface of the sphere having an area r . A = 1 sr [14] sphere encompasses 4 sr.

[edit]Mass Notes: See Weight for detail of mass/weight distinction and conversion. Avoirdupois is a system of mass based on a pound of 16 ounces, while Troy weight is the system of mass where 12 troy ounces equals one troy pound. In this table, the unit gee is used to denote standard gravity in order to avoid confusion with the "g" symbol for grams. In physics, the pound of mass is sometimes written lbm to distinguish it from the poundforce (lbf). It should not be read as the mongrel unit "pound metre". Mass

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units
27

atomic mass unit, unified atomic unit of mass, electron rest mass bag (coffee) bag (Portland cement) barge carat carat (metric) clove crith dalton dram (apothecary; troy) dram (avoirdupois) electronvolt gamma grain grave

u; AMU

1.660 538 7310 36 1.310 kg 9.109 382 1510 39 [18] 4510 kg 60 kg 94 lb av 22 sh tn = 60 kg

31

me

= 42.637 682 78 kg = 20 411.656 65 kg 205.196 548 333 mg = 200 mg = 3.628 738 96 kg 89.9349 mg

kt ct

3 1/6 gr 200 mg 8 lb av

Da dr t dr av eV gr G 60 gr 27 11/32 gr 1 eV (energy unit) / c 1 g 1/7000 lb av grave was the original name of

2

1.660 902 1010 36 1.310 kg = 3.887 9346 g

27

= 1.771 845 195 3125 g = 1.782610 = 1 g 64.798 91 mg 1 kg

36

kg

the kilogram hundredweight (long) long cwt or cwt 112 lb av 100 lb av mass of the prototype near Paris ( mass of 1L of water) 1000 lb av 8 oz t 1/20 gr 1/20 g oz t oz av oz dwt; pwt 1/12 lb t 1/16 lb 28 g
[16]

= 50.802 345 44 kg = 45.359 237 kg 1 kg (SI base unit) = 453.592 37 kg = 248.827 8144 g = 3.239 9455 mg = 50 mg = 31.103 4768 g = 28.349 523 125 g = 28 g = 1.555 173 84 g = 2 mg = 0.45359237 kg 0.453 592 37 kg = 500 g = 0.373 241 7216 kg = 12.700 586 36 kg = 226.796 185 kg = 254.011 7272 kg = 100 kg = 1.295 9782 g = 647.9891 mg
2 [8]

hundredweight (short); cental sh cwt kilogram kip mark mite mite (metric) ounce (apothecary; troy) ounce (avoirdupois) ounce (US food nutrition labeling) pennyweight point pound pound (avoirdupois) pound (metric) pound (troy) quarter (imperial) quarter (informal) quarter, long (informal) quintal (metric) scruple (apothecary) sheet slug; geepound; hyl stone ton, assay (long) ton, assay (short) ton, long ton, short tonne (mts unit) wey Zentner [edit]Density Ztr. slug st AT AT long tn or ton sh tn t q s ap lb t lb lb av kg kip

1/20 oz t 1/100 ct slugft/s

2

0.453 592 37 kg = 7000 grains 500 g 5 760 grains 1/4 long cwt = 2 st = 28 lb av short tn long tn 100 kg 20 gr 1/700 lb av 1 gee 1 lb av 1 s /ft 14 lb av 1 mg 1 long tn 1 oz t 1 mg 1 sh tn 1 oz t 2 240 lb 2 000 lb 1 000 kg 252 lb = 18 st Definitions vary; see
[19]

14.593 903 kg = 6.350 293 18 kg 32.666 667 g 29.166 667 g = 1 016.046 9088 kg = 907.184 74 kg = 1 000 kg = 114.305 277 24 kg (variants exist)

and.

[14]

Density

Name of unit

Symbol Definition

Relation to SI units

gram per millilitre

g/mL

g/mL

= 1,000 kg/m

kilogram per cubic metre (SI unit)

kg/m

kg/m

= 1 kg/m

kilogram per litre

kg/L

kg/L

= 1,000 kg/m

ounce (avoirdupois) per cubic foot

oz/ft

oz/ft

1.001153961 kg/m

ounce (avoirdupois) per cubic inch

oz/in

oz/in

1.72999404410 kg/m

ounce (avoirdupois) per gallon (imperial) oz/gal

oz/gal

6.236023291 kg/m

ounce (avoirdupois) per gallon (US fluid) oz/gal

oz/gal

7.489151707 kg/m

pound (avoirdupois) per cubic foot

lb/ft

lb/ft

16.01846337 kg/m

pound (avoirdupois) per cubic inch

lb/in

lb/in

2.76799047110 kg/m

pound (avoirdupois) per gallon (imperial) lb/gal

lb/gal

99.77637266 kg/m

pound (avoirdupois) per gallon (US fluid) lb/gal

lb/gal

119.8264273 kg/m

slug per cubic foot [edit]Time

slug/ft

slug/ft

515.3788184 kg/m

Time

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

atomic unit of time au

a0/(c) 441 mo (hollow) + 499 mo (full) = 76 a of 365.25 d

2.418 884 17 25410 s = 2.398 377610 s = 100 years

9

Callippic cycle century c

100 a (see below for definition of year length)

day

= 24 h Time needed for the Earth to rotate once around its axis, determined from successive transits of a very distant astronomical object across an observer's meridian (International Celestial Reference Frame) 10 a (see below for definition of year length) 2 wk 1/1 080 h 4 Callippic cycles - 1 d

= 1440 min = 86400 s

day (sidereal)

86 164.1 s

decade fortnight helek Hipparchic cycle hour jiffy jiffy (alternate) ke (quarter of an hour)

dec fn

= 10 years = 1 209 600 s = 3.3 s = 9.593 42410 s = 3 600 s = .016 s = 10 ms = 60 60 / 4 s = 900 s = 60 / 4 min = 15 min = 24 60 60 / 100 s = 864 s = 24 * 60 / 100 min = 14.4 min = 1.576810 s = 5.996 1610 s
8 8 9

h j ja

60 min 1/60 s 1/100 s h = 1/96 d

ke (traditional)

1/100 d 5 a of 365 d 110 mo (hollow) + 125 mo (full) = 6940 d 19 a

lustre; lustrum Metonic cycle; enneadecaeteris millennium milliday md

1 000 a (see below for definition of year length) = 1000 years 1/1 000 d 60 s, due to leap seconds sometimes 59 s or 61 s, 90 s mo mo mo mo 30 d
[20]

= 24 60 60 / 1 000 s = 86.4 s = 60 s = 90 s = 2 592 000 s 2.629710 s = 2 505 600 s 2.55110 s

8 6 6

minute moment month (full) month (Greg. av.) month (hollow) month (synodic)

min

Average Gregorian month = 1 a (Gregorian average) / 12 = 365.242 5 d / 12 = 30.436 875 d 29 d

[20]

Cycle time of moon phases 29.530 589 d (Average) = 48 mo (full) + 48 mo (hollow) + 3 mo [21][22] (full) = 8 a of 365.25 d = 2922 d (G/c )
5

octaeteris

= 2.524 60810 s 1.351 211 43 86810 s

Planck time

second

time of 9 192 631 770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the 2 hyperfine levels of the ground state of the [8] caesium 133 atom at 0 K (but other seconds are sometimes used in astronomy) 10
8

(SI base unit)

shake

= 10 ns

sigma Sothic cycle svedberg week S wk

10

= 1 s = 4.607 409610 = 100 fs = 168 h = 10 080 min = 604 800 s

10

1 461 a of 365 d 10
13

7d = 365.2425 d average, calculated from common years (365 d) plus leap years (366 d) on most years divisible by 4. See leap year for details. = 365.25 d average, calculated from common years (365 d) plus one leap year (366 d) every four years time taken for Sun to return to the same position with respect to the stars of the celestial sphere Length of time it takes for the Sun to return to the same position in the cycle of seasons

year (Gregorian)

a, y, oryr

= 31 556 952 s

year (Julian)

a, y, oryr

= 31 557 600 s

year (sidereal)

a, y, oryr a, y, oryr

365.256 363 d 31 558 149.7632s 365.242 190 d 31 556 925 s

year (tropical)

Where UTC is observed, the length of time units longer than 1 s may increase or decrease by 1 s if a leap second occurs during the time interval of interest. [edit]Frequency Frequency

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

hertz (SI unit)

Hz

Number of cycles per second

= 1 Hz = 1/s

revolutions per minute [edit]Speed

rpm

One unit rpm equals one rotation completed around a fixed axis in one minute of time.

0.104719755 rad/s

or velocity
Speed

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

foot per hour foot per minute foot per second furlong perfortnight

fph fpm fps

1 ft/h 1 ft/min 1 ft/s furlong/fortnight 1 in/hr

8.466 5 66710 m/s = 5.0810

3

m/s m/s

= 3.04810

1.663 4 09510 m/s 7.05 6 55610 m/s

inch per hour

iph

inch per minute inch per second

ipm ips

1 in/min 1 in/s 1 km/h 1 NM/h = 1.852 km/h 1 NM (Adm)/h = 1.853 184 km/h
[citation needed]

4.23 4 33310 m/s = 2.5410

2

m/s

kilometre per hour

km/h

= 1/3.6 m/s 2.777 1 77810 m/s 0.514 444 m/s = 0.514 773 m/s

knot knot (Admiralty)

kn, kt kn

mach number

Ratio of the speed to the speed of sound in the medium. Varies especially with temperature. About 340 to 295 m/s 1225 km/h (761 mph) in air at sea level to about for aircraft 1062 km/h (660 mph) at jet altitudes (12,200 metres [23] (40,000 ft)). Unitless 1 m/s 1 mi/h 1 mi/min 1 mi/s 299 792 458 m/s Varies especially with temperature. About 1225 km/h (761 mph) in air at sea level to about 1062 km/h (660 mph) at jet altitudes. = 1 m/s = 0.447 04 m/s = 26.8224 m/s = 1 609.344 m/s = 299 792 458 m/s 340 to 295 m/s at aircraft altitudes

metre per second (SI unit) mile per hour mile per minute mile per second speed of light in vacuum speed of soundin air

m/s mph mpm mps c

A velocity consists of a speed combined with a direction; the speed part of the velocity takes units of speed. [edit]Flow

(volume)
Flow

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

cubic foot per minute

CFM

[citation needed]

1 ft /min = 4.71947443210

m /s

cubic foot per second

ft /s

1 ft /s

= 0.028316846592 m /s

cubic inch per minute cubic inch per second

in /min in /s
3 3

1 in /min = 2.731177310 1 in /s 1 m /s
3 3

m /s m /s
3

= 1.638706410 = 1 m /s
3

cubic metre per second (SI unit) m /s gallon (US fluid) per day gallon (US fluid) per hour gallon (US fluid) per minute GPD GPH
[citation needed] [citation needed] [citation needed]

1 gal/d 1 gal/h

= 4.38126363810 = 1.05150327310

8 6

m /s m /s
3 3

GPM

1 gal/min = 6.3090196410

m /s

litre per minute [edit]Acceleration

LPM

[citation needed]

1 L/min

= 1.610

m /s

Acceleration

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

foot per hour per second foot per minute per second foot per second squared gal; galileo inch per minute per second inch per second squared knot per second

fph/s fpm/s fps

2

1 ft/(hs) 1 ft/(mins) 1 ft/s

2 2

8.466 66710 = 5.0810

3

m/s

m/s

2 2

= 3.04810 = 10
2

m/s

Gal ipm/s ips

2

1 cm/s

m/s

2 4 2 2 2

1 in/(mins) 1 in/s
2

4.233 33310 = 2.5410

2

m/s

m/s

kn/s
2

1 kn/s 1 m/s
2

5.144 44410 = 1 m/s

2 1

m/s

metre per second squared (SI unit) m/s mile per hour per second mile per minute per second mile per second squared standard gravity [edit]Force

mph/s mpm/s mps g

2

1 mi/(hs) 1 mi/(mins) 1 mi/s

2 2

= 4.470410

m/s
2 3

= 26.8224 m/s

= 1.609 34410 m/s

2

9.806 65 m/s = 9.806 65 m/s

Force

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

atomic unit of force dyne (cgs unit) kilogram-force; kilopond; grave-force kip; kip-force dyn kgf; kp; Gf kip; kipf; klbf

me c /a0 gcm/s
2

8.238 722 8 [24] 0610 N = 10

5

g 1 kg g 1 000 lb g1g

= 9.806 65 N = 4.448 221 615 3 260510 N = 9.806 65 mN

milligrave-force, gravetmGf; gf force

newton (SI unit)

A force capable of giving a mass of one kg 2 an acceleration of one metre per second, per = 1 N = 1 kgm/s [25] second. g 1 oz g 1 lb = 0.278 013 850 953 7812 N = 4.448 221 615

ounce-force pound-force

ozf lbf

2605 N poundal sthene (mts unit) ton-force pdl sn tnf 1 lbft/s 1 tm/s
2

= 0.138 254 954 376 N = 110 N = 8.896 443 230 3 52110 N

3

g 1 sh tn

See also: Conversion between weight (force) and mass [edit]Pressure

or mechanical stress
Pressure

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

atmosphere (standard)

atm

101 325 Pa

[26]

atmosphere (technical) bar barye (cgs unit) centimetre of mercury centimetre of water (4 C) foot of mercury (conventional)

at bar

1 kgf/cm

= 9.806 4 [26] 6510 Pa 10 Pa

5

1 dyn/cm cmHg

= 0.1 Pa
3

13 595.1 kg/m 1 cm g
3

1.333 3 [26] 2210 Pa 98.063 8 Pa 40.636 3 [26] 6610 Pa 2.988 3 [26] 9810 Pa 3.386 3 [26] 38910 Pa 249.082 Pa = 9.806 6 [26] 6510 Pa 6.894 6 [26] 75710 Pa
[26] [26]

cmH2O 999.972 kg/m 1 cm g ftHg 13 595.1 kg/m 1 ft g 999.972 kg/m 1 ft g 13 595.1 kg/m 1 in g 999.972 kg/m 1 in g
2 2 3 3 3 3

foot of water (39.2 F)

ftH2O inHg inH2O

inch of mercury (conventional) inch of water (39.2 F) kilogram-force per square millimetre kip per square inch

kgf/mm 1 kgf/mm

ksi

1 kipf/sq in 13 595.1 kg/m 1 torr

3 3

micron (micrometre) of mercury millimetre of mercury millimetre of water (3.98 C) pascal (SI unit) pize (mts unit) pound per square foot pound per square inch

mHg mmHg

m g 0.001

0.133 322 4 Pa 133.3224 Pa = 9.806 38 Pa = 1 Pa

[27] 3 [26]

[26]

13 595.1 kg/m 1 mm g 1 torr

3

999.972 kg/m 1 mm g = 0.999 mmH2O 2 972 kgf/m Pa pz psf psi N/m = kg/(ms ) 1 000 kg/ms 1 lbf/ft
2 2 2 2 2

= 110 Pa = 1 kPa 47.880 26 Pa 6.894

[26]

1 lbf/in

75710 Pa poundal per square foot short ton per square foot torr [edit]Torque torr pdl/sq ft 1 pdl/sq ft 1 sh tn g / 1 sq ft 101 325/760 Pa

[26] [26]

1.488 164 Pa 95.760 3 51810 Pa 133.322 4 Pa

[26]

or moment of force
Torque

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

foot-pound force

ft lbf

g 1 lb 1 ft

= 1.355 817 948 331 4004 Nm

foot-poundal inch-pound force metre kilogram

ft pdl in lbf m kg

1 lbft /s

= 4.214 011 009 380 4810

Nm

g 1 lb 1 in Nm/g
2 2

= 0.112 984 829 027 6167 Nm 0.101 971 621 Nm

Newton metre (SI unit) Nm [edit]Energy

N m = kgm /s = 1 Nm

Energy

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

barrel of oil equivalent British thermal unit (ISO) British thermal unit (International Table) British thermal unit (mean) British thermal unit (thermochemical) British thermal unit (39 F) British thermal unit (59 F) British thermal unit (60 F) British thermal unit (63 F)

bboe BTUISO BTUIT BTUmean BTUth BTU39 F BTU59 F BTU60 F BTU63 F

5.810 BTU59 F 1.054510 J

3

6.1210 J = 1.054510 J = 1.055 055 852 3 6210 J 1.055 8710 J 1.054 35010 J 1.059 6710 J
3 3 3 3

1.054 80410 J

= 1.054 80410 J 1.054 6810 J 1.054610 J

3 3

calorie (International Table) calIT calorie (mean) calmean calth

4.1868 J
1

= 4.1868 J 4.190 02 J

100 of the energy required to warm one gram of air-free water from 0 C to 100 C @ 1 atm 4.184 J

calorie (thermochemical)

= 4.184 J

calorie (3.98 C) calorie (15 C) calorie (20 C) Celsius heat unit (International Table) cubic centimetre of atmosphere; standard cubic centimetre cubic foot of atmosphere; standard cubic foot cubic foot of natural gas cubic yard of atmosphere; standard cubic yard

cal3.98 C cal15 C cal20 C CHUIT cc atm; scc 1 BTUIT 1 K/R 4.1855 J

4.2045 J = 4.1855 J 4.1819 J = 1.899 100 534 3 71610 J

1 atm 1 cm

= 0.101 325 J

cu ft atm; 3 1 atm 1 ft scf 1 000 BTUIT cu yd atm; scy 1 atm 1 yd

3

= 2.869 204 480 3 934410 J = 1.055 055 852 6 6210 J = 77.468 520 985 3 228810 J 1.602 177 19 3310 26 4.910 J

electronvolt

eV

e1V 1 gcm /s
2 2

erg (cgs unit) foot-pound force

erg ft lbf

= 10

g 1 lb 1 ft 1 lbft /s
2 2

= 1.355 817 948 331 4004 J = 4.214 011 009 380 2 4810 J = 460.632 569 25 J = 383.556 849 0138 J 4.359 74410
18

foot-poundal gallon-atmosphere (imperial) gallon-atmosphere (US) hartree, atomic unit of energy horsepower-hour

ft pdl imp gal atm US gal atm Eh hph

1 atm 1 gal (imp) 1 atm 1 gal (US) me c (= 2 Ry) 1 hp 1 h g 1 lb 1 in The work done when a force of one newton moves the point of its application a distance of one metre in [25] the direction of the force. 1 000 calIT 1 kW 1 h 1 atm 1 L 10
15 2 2

=2.684 519 537 696 6 172 79210 J = 0.112 984 829 027 6167 J = 1 J = 1 mN = 2 2 1 kgm /s = 1 CV = 1 Ws = 4.186810 J = 3.610 J = 101.325 J = 1.055 055 852 18 6210 J 2.179 87210 = 105.505 585 6 26210 J
18 6 3

inch-pound force

in lbf

joule (SI unit)

kilocalorie; large calorie kilowatt-hour; Board of Trade Unit litre-atmosphere quad rydberg therm (E.C.)

kcal; Cal kWh; B.O.T.U. l atm; sl

BTUIT

Ry

Rc 100 000 BTUIT

therm (US) thermie ton of coal equivalent ton of oil equivalent ton of TNT [edit]Power th TCE TOE tTNT

100 000 BTU59 F 1 McalIT 7 Gcalth 10 Gcalth 1 Gcalth

= 105.480410 J = 4.186810 J = 29.307610 J = 41.86810 J = 4.18410 J

9 9 9 6

or heat flow rate

Power

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

atmosphere-cubic centimetre per minute atmosphere-cubic centimetre per second atmospherecubic foot per hour atmosphere-cubic foot per minute atmosphere-cubic foot per second BTU (International Table) per hour BTU (International Table) per minute BTU (International Table) per second

atm ccm

1 atm 1 cm /min

= 1.688 7510

atm ccs

1 atm 1 cm /s 1 atm 1 cu ft/h 1 atm 1 cu ft/min 1 atm 1 cu ft/s 1 BTUIT/h

= 0.101 325 W = 0.797 001 244 704 W = 47.820 074 682 24 W = 2.869 204 480 3 934410 W 0.293 071 W 17.584 264 W = 1.055 055 852 3 6210 W = 4.1868 W = 10 W 3.766 16110
4 7

atm cfh

atmcfm

atm cfs

BTUIT/h

BTUIT/min 1 BTUIT/min BTUIT/s 1 BTUIT/s 1 calIT/s 1 erg/s 1 ft lbf/h 1 ft lbf/min 1 ft lbf/s 34.5 lb/h 970.3 BTUIT/lb 75 kpm/s 746 W 550 ft lbf/s 75 m kgf/s

calorie (International Table) calIT/s per second erg per second foot-pound-force per hour erg/s ft lbf/h

foot-pound-force per minute ft lbf/min

= 2.259 696 580 552 2 33410 W = 1.355 817 948 331 4004 W 9.810 65710 W = 736 W
3

foot-pound-force per second ft lbf/s horsepower (boiler) horsepower (European electrical) horsepower (imperial electrical) horsepower (imperial mechanical) horsepower (metric) bhp hp

hp

= 746 W = 745.699 871 582 270 22 W = 735.498 75 W

hp hp

litre-atmosphere per minute Latm/min 1 atm 1 L/min litre-atmosphere per second Latm/s lusec poncelet lusec p 1 atm 1 L/s 1 LmHg/s 100 m kgf/s
[14]

= 1.688 75 W = 101.325 W 1.33310

4

= 980.665 W 70.337 057 W 3 504 W

square foot equivalent direct sq ft EDR 240 BTUIT/h radiation ton of air conditioning ton of refrigeration (imperial) 2000 lbs of ice melted / 24 h

2240 lb iceIT / 24 h: iceIT = 144F 3 3.938 87510 W 2326 J/kg.F 200 lbs iceIT / 24 h: iceIT = 144 3 3.516 85310 W 2326 J/kg.F The power which in one second of time gives rise to one joule of [25] energy. = 1 W = 1 J/s = 2 3 1 Nm/s = 1 kgm /s

ton of refrigeration (IT)

watt (SI unit) [edit]Action

Action

Name of unit

Symbol Definition

Relation to SI units

atomic unit of action au [edit]Dynamic

/2 1.054 571 6810

34

Js

[28]

viscosity
Dynamic viscosity

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

pascal second (SI unit)

Pas

Ns/m , kg/(ms) = 1 Pas

poise (cgs unit)

1 baryes

= 0.1 Pas

pound per foot hour pound per foot second

lb/(fth) 1 lb/(fth) lb/(fts) 1 lb/(fts)

2 2

4.133 78910

Pas

1.488164 Pas 47.88026 Pas 6,894.757 Pas

pound-force second per square foot lbfs/ft

1 lbfs/ft

2 2

pound-force second per square inch lbfs/in [edit]Kinematic

1 lbfs/in

viscosity
Kinematic viscosity

Name of unit

Symbol Definition Relation to SI units

square foot per second

ft /s

1 ft /s

= 0.09290304 m /s

square metre per second (SI unit) m /s

1 m /s

= 1 m /s

stokes (cgs unit) [edit]Electric

St

10

m /s = 10

m /s

current
Electric current

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

ampere (SI base unit)

The constant current needed to produce a force 7 of 2 10 newton per metre between two straight parallel conductors of infinite length and negligible = 1 A circular cross-section placed one metre apart in a [8] vacuum. 10 A

electromagnetic unit; abampere (cgs abamp unit) esu per second; statampere (cgs unit) [edit]Electric

= 10 A

esu/s

(0.1 Am/s) / c

3.33564110

10

charge
Electric charge

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

abcoulomb; electromagnetic unit (cgs unit)

abC; emu 10 C

= 10 C

atomic unit of charge

au

e The amount of electricity carried in one second of time by one ampere of [25] current. 1 mol NAe

1.602 176 19 46210 C

coulomb (SI unit)

= 1 C = 1 As 96 485.3383 C 3.335

faraday statcoulomb; franklin;

statC; Fr; (0.1 Am) / c

electrostatic unit (cgs unit) [edit]Electric

esu

64110

10

dipole
Electric dipole

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

atomic unit of electric dipole moment ea0 coulomb meter debye [edit]Electromotive Cm D = 10
10

8.478 352 8110 =1C1m esu = 3.3356409510

30

Cm

[29]

30

Cm

[30]

force, electric potential difference

Voltage, electromotive force

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

abvolt (cgs unit) statvolt (cgs unit)

abV

110

= 110

statV

c (1 J/Am) The difference in electric potential across two points along a conducting wire carrying one ampere of constant current when the power dissipated between the points equals one [25] watt.

= 299.792 458 V

volt (SI unit)

= 1 V = 1 W/A 2 3 =1 kgm /(As )

[edit]Electrical

resistance
Electrical resistance

Name of Symbol unit

Definition

Relation to SI units

ohm (SI unit)

The resistance between two points in a conductor when one volt of electric potential difference, applied to these points, [25] produces one ampere of current in the conductor.

= 1 = 1 V/A =1 2 2 3 kgm /(A s )

[edit]Capacitance Capacitor's ability to store charge

Name of

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI

unit

units

farad (SI unit)

The capacitance between two parallel plates that results in one volt of potential difference when charged by one [25] coulomb of electricity.

= 1 F = 1 C/V = 1 2 4 2 A s /(kgm )

[edit]Magnetic

flux
magnetic flux

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

maxwell (CGS unit)

Mx

10

Wb

[31]

= 110

Wb

weber (SI unit)

Wb

Magnetic flux which, linking a circuit of one turn, would produce in it an electromotive force of 1 volt if it were [25] reduced to zero at a uniform rate in 1 second.

= 1 Wb = 1 Vs 2 2 =1 kgm /(As )

[edit]Magnetic

flux density

What physicists call Magnetic field is called Magnetic flux density by electrical engineers and magnetic induction by applied mathematicians and electrical engineers.

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

gauss (CGS unit) tesla (SI unit) [edit]Inductance

G T

Mx/cm = 10 Wb/m
2

= 110

[32]

= 1 T = 1 Wb/m = 1 kg/(As )

Inductance

Name of Symbol unit

Definition

Relation to SI units

henry (SI unit)

The inductance of a closed circuit that produces one volt of electromotive force when the current in the circuit varies at a [25] uniform rate of one ampere per second.

= 1 H = 1 Wb/A 2 2 =1 kgm /(As)

[edit]Temperature For more details on this topic, see Conversion of units of temperature.

Temperature

Name of unit

degree Celsius

C K 273.15

[K] [C] + 273.15

degree Delisle

De

[K] = 373.15 [De] 2/3

degree Fahrenheit F

F C 9/5 + 32

[K] ([F] + 459.67) 5/9

degree Newton

[K] = [N] 100/33 + 273.15

degree Rankine

R; R K 9/5

[K] [R] 5/9

degree Raumur

[K] = [R] 5/4 + 273.15

degree Rmer

[K] = ([R] 7.5) 40/21 + 273.15

Regulo Gas Mark

GM; F GM 25 + 300

[K] [GM] 125/9 + 422.038

kelvin (SI base unit)

1/273.16 of the thermodynamic temperature of [8] the triple point of water.

1K

[edit]Information

entropy
Information entropy

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

Relation to bits

SI unit

J/K

J/K

= 1 J/K

nat; nip; nepit

nat

kB

= 1.380 650 5(23)10

23

J/K

bit; shannon ban; hartley nibble byte

bit; b; Sh ln(2) kB

= 9.569 940 (16)10

24

J/K J/K

= 1 bit

ban; Hart ln(10) kB = 3.179 065 3(53)10 4 bits B 8 bits 1 000 B 1 024 B = 3.827 976 0(64)10 = 7.655 952 (13)10 = 7.655 952 (13)10 = 7.839 695 (13)10

23 23

J/K = 2 bit = 2 bit = 810 bit = 8000 bit =2

13 3 3

23 20 20

J/K J/K J/K

kilobyte (decimal) kB kilobyte (kibibyte) KB; KiB

bit = 8192 bit

Often, information entropy is measured in shannons, whereas the (discrete) storage space of digital devices is measured in bits. Thus, uncompressed redundant data occupy more than one bit of storage per shannon of information entropy. The multiples of a bit listed above are usually used with this meaning. Other times the bit is used as a measure of information entropy and is thus a synonym of shannon. [edit]Luminous

intensity

The candela is the preferred nomenclature for the SI unit.

Luminous intensity

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

candela (SI base unit); candle

cd

The luminous intensity, in a given direction, of a source that emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 12 54010 hertz and that has a radiant intensity in that [8] direction of 1/683 watt per steradian.

= 1 cd

candlepower (new) candlepower (old, pre-1948) [edit]Luminance

cp

cd The use of candlepower as a unit is discouraged due = 1 cd to its ambiguity. Varies and is poorly reproducible. [14] 0.981 cd.
[33]

cp

Approximately

0.981 cd

Luminance

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

candela per square foot

cd/ft

cd/ft

10.763910417 cd/m

candela per square inch

cd/in

cd/in

1,550.0031 cd/m

candela per square metre (SI unit); nit [14] (deprecated )

cd/m

cd/m

= 1 cd/m

footlambert

fL

(1/) cd/ft

3.4262590996 cd/m

lambert

(10 /) 2 cd/m

3,183.0988618 cd/m

stilb (CGS unit) [edit]Luminous

sb

10 cd/m

110 cd/m

flux
Luminous flux

Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units

lumen (SI unit) lm [edit]Illuminance

cdsr

= 1 lm = 1 cdsr

Illuminance

Name of unit

Symbol Definition Relation to SI units

footcandle; lumen per square foot fc

lm/ft

= 10.763910417 lx

lumen per square inch

lm/in

lm/in

1,550.0031 lx

lux (SI unit)

lx

lm/m

= 1 lx = 1 lm/m

phot (CGS unit) [edit]Radiation

ph

lm/cm

= 110 lx

- source activity
Radioactivity

Name of unit

Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

becquerel (SI unit) Bq

Number of disintegrations per second = 1 Bq = 1/s

curie rutherford (H)

Ci rd

3.710 1 MBq

10

Bq

= 3.710
6

10

Bq

[34]

= 110 Bq

Please note that although becquerel (Bq) and hertz (Hz) both ultimately refer to the same SI base unit 1 (s ), Hz is used only for periodic phenomena, and Bq is only used for stochastic processes [35] associated with radioactivity. [edit]Radiation

- exposure
Radiation - exposure

Name of unit Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

roentgen

1 R 2.5810

C/kg

[31]

= 2.5810

C/kg
[36]

The roentgen is not an SI unit and the NIST strongly discourages its continued use. [edit]Radiation

- absorbed dose
Radiation - absorbed dose

Name of unit Symbol

Definition

Relation to SI units

gray (SI unit) Gy

1 J/kg = 1 m /s

2 [37]

= 1 Gy

rad

rad

0.01 Gy

[31]

= 0.01 Gy

[edit]Radiation

- equivalent dose
Radiation - equivalent dose

Name of unit

Symbol Definition Relation to SI units

Rntgen equivalent man rem

0.01 Sv = 0.01 Sv

sievert (SI unit)

Sv

1 J/kg

[35]

= 1 Sv

Although the definitions for sievert (Sv) and gray (Gy) would seem to indicate that they measure the same quantities, this is not the case. The effect of receiving a certain dose of radiation (given as Gy) is variable and depends on many factors, thus a new unit was needed to denote the biological effectiveness of that dose on the body; this is known as the equivalent dose and is shown in Sv. The general relationship between absorbed dose and equivalent dose can be represented as H=QD where H is the equivalent dose, D is the absorbed dose, and Q is a dimensionless quality factor. Thus, for any quantity of D measured in Gy, the numerical value for H measured in Sv may be [38] different. [edit]Software

tools

Home and office computers come with converters in bundled spreadsheet applications or can access free converters via the Internet. Units and measurements can be easily converted using these tools, but only if the units are explicitly defined and the conversion is compatible (e.g., cmHg to kPa). [edit]General

commercial sources of converters

Advanced electronic calculators have unit-conversion functionality. Spreadsheet programs usually provide conversion functions or formulas or the user can write their own. Commercial mathematical, scientific and technical applications often include converters.

[edit]In

fiction

When a measure is converted to another unit in a fiction work like a novel or film, the value often loses meaning (as in numerology) or gets too many significant digits ("40 miles" turns into "64 km"). For this reason, authors sometimes choose numbers that can be converted easily. Most notably, distances measured in miles often begin with 3 or 5, so the value converted to km also has one significant digit (5 or 8).