American National Standard for

Metric Practice


Co-Sponsors
ASTM Committee E43 on SI Practice
and
IEEE Standards Coordinating Committee 14
(Quantities, Units, and Letter Symbols)

IEEE
3 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016-5997
USA

IEEE/ASTM SI 10-2010
(Revisionof
IEEE/ASTMSI102002)

11 April 2011

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Recognized as an
American National Standard (ANSI)

IEEE/ASTM SI10TM-2010
(Revision of
IEEE/ASTM SI10-2002)

American National Standard for

Metric Practice
Co-Sponsors

ASTM Committee E43on SI Practice

and

IEEE Standards Coordinating Committee 14

(Quantities, Units, and Letter Symbols)
Approved 8December 2010

IEEE-SA Standards Board

Approved 1March 2011

ASTM International
Approved 1March 2011

American National Standards Institute

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Abstract: Guidance for the use of the modern metric system is given. Known as the International
System of Units (abbreviated SI), the system is the basis for worldwide standardization of
measurement units. Information is included on SI, a list of units recognized for use with SI, and a
list of conversion factors, together with general guidance on proper style and usage.
Keywords: conversion factors, International System, International System of Units, metric
practice, metric system, rounding, SI, SI10, Systme International dUnits

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

3Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5997, USA
ASTM International
100Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, USA
Copyright 2011by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. and ASTM International
All rights reserved. Published 11April 2011. Printed in the United States of America.
SECOND PRINTING: 14 October 2013: Correction made to Table A.1, page 30 ounce (troy or apothecary) (oz) row.
IEEE is a registered trademark in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, owned by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers, Incorporated.
ASTM International is a registered trademark in the U.S. Patent & Trademarks Office, owned by ASTM International
PDF:
Print:

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American National Standard

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Introduction
This introduction is not part of IEEE/ASTM SI 10-2011, American National Standard for Metric Practice.

This document, which supersedes IEEE/ASTM SI 10-2002, is the primary American National Standard for
use of the International System of Units (SI). The first version of this standard that was published jointly by
the IEEE and ASTM appeared in 1976. The sponsoring societies welcome comments and suggestions from
interested individuals and organizations.
In 1988, the Metric Conversion Act was amended to designate the metric system of measurement as the
preferred system of weights and measures for United States trade and commerce. With the increasing
importance of the global marketplace, it has become imperative for U.S. industry to extend its use of SI and
for U.S. citizens to gain a working knowledge of this modern metric system. This standard is intended to
give authoritative information on SI and appropriate guidance concerning its application.
SI is defined in the document Le Systme International dUnits, published in French, with an English
translation, by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM). The BIPM was set up by the
Convention du Mtre, signed in 1875 (see Annex D). Le Systme International dUnits, known
informally as the BIPM SI Brochure, is revised from time to time in accordance with the decisions of the
General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) and other international organizations. A U.S.
version is published by NIST [B22].a
This standard is consistent with the SI brochure in all matters that concern the SI itself, except that it
presents the degree Celsius as simply another name for the kelvin that is used to express Celsius
temperature, while the BIPM SI Brochure lists the degree Celsius as an SI derived unit. Of more practical
importance is the difference in approach to non-SI units. IEEE/ASTM SI10 and its predecessors have
traditionally been more restrictive in their recommendations concerning the use of non-SI units. The SI
Brochure, for example, lists the ngstrm as a unit that is currently accepted for use with the International
System and lists the centimeter-gram-second (CGS) units and many others as units whose use is not
encouraged. IEEE/ASTM SI10, which is intended for the United States and developed under the
consensus standardization process, makes the significantly stronger recommendation that these units are
not to be used.

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a

The numbers in brackets correspond to those of the bibliography in Annex E.

vi
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regulation, standardization, and the promotion of engineering practices and methods. By making this
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Participants
This standard was developed by the IEEE/ASTM Committee for Maintaining IEEE/ASTM SI10, a joint
committee established by the sponsoring organizations. The proposed standard generated by this joint
committee was then formally adopted by the IEEE and ASTM before transmission to the American
National Standards Institute for approval as an American National Standard. At the time of the approval of
this revision, the joint committee had the following membership. Nonvoting members at the time of
publication are marked with an asterisk (*):
Bruce Barrow, Chair
James R. Frysinger, Vice Chair
Robert H. Bushnell, Secretary
Nancy Bale
Dennis Brownridge*
Rodney Conn*
Anthony French
Uri Gat

Stan Jakuba
Bill Potts
Howard Ressel*
John T. Scott
Ralph Showers*

viii
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Barry N. Taylor*
Ambler Thompson
Paul Trusten*
Gerry Uttrachi*
Matthew Zotter*

Contents
1. Overview .................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1Scope ................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 1
2. SI units and symbols ................................................................................................................................... 2
2.1Classes of units .................................................................................................................................... 2
2.2SI prefixes ............................................................................................................................................ 6
3. Use of the SI ............................................................................................................................................... 7
3.1General................................................................................................................................................. 7
3.2Application of SI prefixes .................................................................................................................... 7
3.3Other units ........................................................................................................................................... 9
3.4Some comments concerning quantities and units .............................................................................. 13
3.5Style and usage .................................................................................................................................. 16
Annex A (informative) Tables of conversion factors ................................................................................... 20
Annex B (informative) Rules for conversion and rounding ......................................................................... 44
Annex C (informative) Comments concerning the application of the International System
of Units (SI) .................................................................................................................................................. 50
Annex D (informative) Development of the International System of Units (SI) .......................................... 55
Annex E (informative) Bibliography ............................................................................................................ 58
Index ............................................................................................................................................................. 60

ix
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American National Standard for

Metric Practice
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This standard is not intended to ensure safety, security, health, or
environmental protection. Implementers of the standard are responsible for determining appropriate
safety, security, environmental, and health practices or regulatory requirements.
This IEEE document is made available for use subject to important notices and legal disclaimers.
These notices and disclaimers appear in all publications containing this document and may
be found under the heading Important Notice or Important Notices and Disclaimers
Concerning IEEE Documents. They can also be obtained on request from IEEE or viewed at
http://standards.ieee.org/IPR/disclaimers.html.

1. Overview

1.1 Scope
This document is the primary American National Standard on application of the metric system. It
emphasizes use of the International System of Units (SI), which is the modern, internationally accepted
metric system. It includes information on SI, a limited list of units recognized for use with SI, and a list of
conversion factors, together with general guidance on style and usage. It also lists older metric units that
shall no longer be used. The word primary implies that other metric standards in the United States should
be consistent with this document.

1.2 Introduction
Any measurable physical quantity can be represented in the SI with the aid of just seven base unitsthe
units for the quantities length, mass, time, electric current, temperature, amount of substance, and luminous
intensityor by combinations (called derived units) of these seven. For example, the unit of speed can
be expressed by the unit of length divided by the unit of time. This standard shows first the two classes of
units (base and derived) that make up the SI, together with the standard symbols that may be used to
represent them. Prefixes that allow the formation of decimal multiples and submultiples are explained.
Notes on the proper use of the SI units and symbols in many applications follow.

1
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IEEE/ASTM SI10-2010
American National Standard for Metric Practice

Annex A includes lists of many units from non-SI systems with the appropriate SI units that should be
substituted and numerical conversion factors. Other annexes include rules for conversion and rounding, a
discussion of the advantages of SI units with definitions where appropriate, a history of the development of
the system, and a bibliography of source documents.

2. SI units and symbols

2.1 Classes of units

2.1.1 Base units
SI is built upon the seven well-defined base quantities of Table 1, which by convention are regarded as
independent, and upon the seven base units for these quantities. The definitions of the base units are given
in C.3. Throughout this document, unless otherwise noted, the word quantity means a measurable
attribute of a phenomenon or of matter.
Table 1 SI base units
Quantity

Unit name

Unit symbol

length

meter

mass

kilogram

kg

time

second

electric current

ampere

thermodynamic temperature

kelvin

amount of substance

mole

mol

candela

cd

luminous intensity

2.1.2 Derived units

Derived units are formed by combining base units according to the algebraic relations linking the
corresponding quantities. The symbols for derived units are obtained by means of the mathematical signs
for multiplication, division, and use of exponents. Table 2 gives examples of derived units and shows how
they are formed from base units.

2
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IEEE/ASTM SI10-2010
American National Standard for Metric Practice

Table 2 Examples of SI derived units expressed in terms of base units

SI derived unit
Derived quantity
Unit name

Unit symbol

area

square meter

m2

volume

cubic meter

m3

meter per second

m/s

acceleration

meter per second squared

m/s2

wave number

reciprocal meter

m1

density, mass density

kilogram per cubic meter

kg/m3

specific volume

cubic meter per kilogram

m3/kg

current density

ampere per square meter

A/m2

ampere per meter

A/m

mole per cubic meter

mol/m3

candela per square meter

cd/m2

speed, velocity

magnetic field strength

concentration (of amount of substance)
luminance

For convenience, certain derived units have been given special names and symbols. Those that are
approved by the General Conference on Weights and Measures (abbreviated CGPM from its name in
French; see Annex D), and are therefore formally part of the SI, are listed in Table 3.1 Definitions are
provided in C.4.

1
Notes in text, tables, and figures of a standard are given for information only and do not contain requirements needed to implement
this standard.

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IEEE/ASTM SI10-2010
American National Standard for Metric Practice

Table 3 SI derived units with special names and symbols

SI derived unit
Derived quantity

Expressed
in terms of
other SI
units

Unit
name

Unit
symbol

angle, plane

radian

rad

mm1= 1
[See NOTE]

angle, solid

steradian

sr

m2m2= 1
[See NOTE]

hertz

Hz

s 1

force

newton

m kgs2

pressure, stress

pascal

Pa

N/m2

m1kgs2

energy, work, quantity of heat

joule

Nm

m2kgs2

power, radiant flux

watt

J/s

m2kgs3

coulomb

electric potential difference,

electromotive force

volt

W/A

m2kgs3A1

capacitance

farad

C/V

m2kg1s4A2

electric resistance

ohm

V/A

m2kgs 3A2

siemens

A/V

m2kg1s3A2

weber

Wb

Vs

m2kgs 2A 1

magnetic flux density

tesla

Wb/m2;
N/(Am)

inductance

henry

Wb/A

m2kgs 2A2

luminous flux

lumen

lm

cdsr

m2m2cd = cd

lux

lx

lm/m2

m2m4cd = m2cd

becquerel

Bq

gray

Gy

J/kg

m2s2

sievert

Sv

J/kg

m2s2

katal

kat

frequency (of a periodic

phenomenon)

electric charge, quantity of electricity

electric conductance
magnetic flux

illuminance
activity (referred to a radionuclide)
absorbed dose, specific energy
imparted, kerma
dose equivalent,
ambient dose equivalent, directional
dose equivalent, personal dose
equivalent, organ equivalent dose
catalytic activity

Expressed in terms of
SI base units

sA

kgs 2A 1

s1

s1mol

NOTEIf the SI units are considered as a mathematical group, group theory requires that the number
1be included with the base units. The CGPM has not yet adopted this position.

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IEEE/ASTM SI10-2010
American National Standard for Metric Practice

It is sometimes convenient to express derived units in terms of other derived units with special names.
Some examples appear in Table 3 and additional examples are given in Table 4. Note that although the
expression of a derived unit in terms of the SI base units is unique, there are frequently alternative ways to
express a derived unit using other derived units.
Table 4 Examples of SI derived units whose names include SI derived units
with special names
SI derived unit
Derived quantity

Unit
symbol

Unit name

Expressed in terms of
SI base units

absorbed dose rate

gray per second

Gy/s

m2s3

angular acceleration

radian per second squared

rad/s2

mm1s2= s2

angular velocity

radian per second

rad/s

mm1s1= s1

electric charge density

coulomb per cubic meter

C/m3

m3sA

electric field strength

volt per meter

V/m

mkgs3A1

electric field strength

newton per coulomb

N/C

mkgs3A1

electric flux density

coulomb per square meter

C/m2

m2sA

energy density

joule per cubic meter

J/m3

m1kgs2

entropy

joule per kelvin

J/K

m2kgs2K1

exposure
(X rays and gamma rays)

coulomb per kilogram

C/kg

kg1sA

heat capacity

joule per kelvin

J/K

m2kgs2K1

heat flux density,

irradiance

watt per square meter

W/m2

kgs3

molar energy

joule per mole

J/mol

m2kgs2mol1

molar entropy,
molar heat capacity

joule per mole kelvin

moment of force

newton meter

Nm

m2kgs2

permeability (magnetic)

henry per meter

H/m

mkgs2A2

permittivity

farad per meter

F/m

m3kg1s4A2

power density

watt per square meter

radiance

watt per square meter steradian

radiant intensity

watt per steradian

specific heat capacity

joule per kilogram kelvin

specific energy

joule per kilogram

specific entropy

joule per kilogram kelvin

J/(molK)

m2kgs2K1mol1

W/m2

kgs3

W/(m2sr)

kgs3

W/sr

m2kgs3

J/(kgK)

m2s2K1

J/kg
J/(kgK)

5
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m2s2
m2s2K1

IEEE/ASTM SI10-2010
American National Standard for Metric Practice

SI derived unit
Derived quantity

Unit
symbol

Unit name

Expressed in terms of
SI base units

surface tension

newton per meter

N/m

kg s2

surface tension

joule per square meter

J/m2

kgs2

thermal conductivity

watt per meter kelvin

W/(m K)

viscosity, dynamic

pascal second

Pa s

m1 kg s1

viscosity, kinematic

square meter per second

m2/s

m2 s1

m kg s3 K1

2.1.3 Coherence
The SI base units and SI derived units form a coherent set, the set of coherent SI units, where coherent is
used in the specialist sense of a system whose units are mutually related by rules of multiplication and
division with no numerical factor other than 1.

2.2 SI prefixes
The prefixes listed in Table 5 are used to form decimal multiples and submultiples of the SI base and
derived units. The term SI units includes the SI base units, the SI derived units, and all units formed from
them using the SI prefixes.
2.2.1 Unit of mass
Among the base and derived units of SI, the unit of mass (kilogram) is the only one whose name, for
historical reasons, contains a prefix. Names or symbols of decimal multiples and submultiples of the unit of
mass are formed by attaching prefixes to the word gram or prefix symbols to the symbol g.
Table 5 SI prefixes
Name

Symbol

Multiplication factor

yotta

1024

zetta

1021

exa

1018

peta

1015

tera

1012

giga

109

mega

106

kilo

10 =1000

hecto

102=100

deka

da

101=10

deci

101=0.1

centi

102=0.01

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Name

Symbol

Multiplication factor

milli

103=0.001

micro

106

nano

109

pico

1012

femto

1015

atto

1018

zepto

1021

yocto

1024

2.2.2 Limited character sets

When the metric system developed in the 19th century, all educated persons were familiar with the Greek
alphabet, and the Greek letters lowercase mu (for micro) and uppercase omega (for ohm) were standardized
and have been included in the official SI Brochure. This presents a problem now with limited character
sets, especially in embedded and applied computer operating systems used in manufacturing and labware.
IEEE Std 260.1TM-2004[B8]2 addresses this problem and prescribes lowercase u as a substitute prefix
symbol for micro and Ohm (note the uppercase O) as a substitute unit symbol for ohm when Greek letters
are not available. It also gives recommendations where only uppercase or only lowercase letters are
available.

3. Use of the SI

3.1 General
SI is the form of the metric system that shall be used for all applications. It is important that this modern
form of the metric system be thoroughly understood and properly applied. The remainder of this standard
gives guidance concerning the use of the system, including the limited number of cases in which units
outside SI are appropriately used, and makes recommendations concerning usage and style.

3.2 Application of SI prefixes

3.2.1 General
In general, use the SI prefixes (see 2.2) to indicate orders of magnitude. Thus, one can eliminate
nonsignificant digits (for example, 12300m becomes 12.3km) and leading zeros in decimal fractions (for
example, 0.00123m becomes 1.23nm). SI prefixes provide a convenient alternative to the powers-of-ten
notation (for example, 12.3 103m becomes 12.3km). Never use a prefix alone.

The numbers in brackets correspond to those of the bibliography in Annex E.

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3.2.2 Selection
When expressing a quantity by a numerical value and a unit, give preference to a prefix that yields a
numerical value between 0.1and 1000. For simplicity, give preference to prefixes representing 1000raised
to a positive or negative integral power. However, the following factors may justify deviation from these
prefixes:
a)

In expressing area and volume, the prefixes hecto, deka, deci, and centi may be convenient, for
example, cubic decimeter, square hectometer, or cubic centimeter.

b)

In tables of values of the same quantity, or in a discussion of such values within a given context,
it is preferable to use the same unit multiple or submultiple throughout.

c)

For certain quantities in particular applications, one particular multiple or submultiple is often
used. For example, the millimeter is used for linear dimensions in engineering drawings even
when the values lie far outside the range of 0.1mm to 1000mm; the centimeter is usually used
for body measurements, clothing sizes, household products, and other everyday purposes for
which millimeters are inconveniently precise.

3.2.3 Compound prefixes

Do not use prefixes formed by the juxtaposition of two or more SI prefixes. For example, use
1.3nm, not 1.3mm
2.4pF, not 2.4F
3.2.4 Powers of units
An exponent attached to a unit symbol containing a prefix indicates that the multiple or submultiple of the
unit (the unit with its prefix) is raised to the power expressed by the exponent.
Examples:
1cm3

= (102m)3

= 106m3

2.5ns1

= 2.5(109s) 1

= 2.5 109s1

7mm2/s

= 7(103m)2/s

= 7 106m2/s

3.2.5 Prefixes defined as powers of two

In the computer field the SI prefixes kilo, mega, giga, etc. have sometimes been defined as powers of two.
That is, kilo has been used to mean 1024(i.e., 210), mega has been used to mean 1048576(i.e., 220), etc.
The SI prefixes shall not be used as prefixes for binary multiples.
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the IEEE have adopted standard prefixes for
binary multiples. These include kibi (Ki) for 210, mebi (Mi) for 220, and gibi (Gi) for 230. See NIST Special
Publication 811[B23] and NIST Technical Note 1265[B25].

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3.3 Other units

3.3.1 Units from other systems
To preserve the advantages of SI, minimize the use of non-SI units. Such use should be limited to units
listed in Table 6 and Table 7.
Table 6 Units in use with SI
Quantity
time

plane angle

distance
speed
area
volume
mass

Unit name

Unit symbol

Exact value in SI units

minute

min

hour

h = 60min = 3600s

day

d = 24h = 86400s

month

mo

year

degreea

1 = ( /180) rad

minutea

1 = (1/60) = ( /10800) rad

seconda

1 = (1/60) = ( /648000) rad

revolution, turn

r = 2 rad

nautical mile

nmi

nmi = 1852m

knot

kn

kn = nmi/h

hectare

ha

ha = 1hm2 = 104 m2

literb

L = 1dm3 = 103 m3

metric ton

t = 1Mg = 103 kg

min = 60s

Decimal degrees should be used for division of degrees, except for fields such as astronomy and
cartography.
b
See 3.3.2.4.

Table 7 Units whose values are obtained experimentally

Quantity

Unit name

energy

electronvoltb

mass

unified atomic mass unitc

Unit
symbol

Value in SI unitsa

eV

eV = 1.602176487(40) 1019J

u = 1.660538782(83) 1027kg

The numerical values are taken from Mohr, Taylor, and Newell [B26]. The values are given with their combined
standard uncertainties, which apply to the last two digits, shown in parentheses.
b
The electronvolt is the kinetic energy acquired by an electron in passing through a potential difference of 1V in
vacuum.
c
The unified atomic mass unit is equal to 1/12of the mass of an unbound atom of the nuclide 12C at rest and in its
ground state. The special name dalton (Da) is also used for the atomic mass unit.

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3.3.2 Units in use with SI

Compliance with this standard includes the use, as needed and convenient, of certain non-SI units listed in
Table 6 and Table 7, as well as all the SI units, including the multiples and submultiples.
3.3.2.1 Time
The SI unit of time is the second (s), which should be used in technical calculations. However, where time
relates to life customs or calendar cycles, the minute, hour, day, and other calendar units may be used. For
example, vehicle speed is often expressed in the non-SI unit kilometer per hour (km/h) instead of the SI
unit meter per second (m/s).
3.3.2.2 Plane angle
The SI unit of plane angle is the number 1, which is also called by its special name radian (rad). Use of the
degree of plane angle is permissible when the radian is not convenient.
3.3.2.3 Area
The SI unit of area is the square meter (m2). The hectare (ha) is a special name for the square hectometer
(hm2). Large land or water areas are generally expressed in hectares or in square kilometers (km2). Because
hectare, for historical reasons, already involves an SI prefix, additional SI prefixes may not be used with
this unit.
3.3.2.4 Volume
The SI unit of volume is the cubic meter (m3). Use this unit, or a multiple or submultiple of it, such as cubic
kilometer (km3), cubic hectometer (hm3), cubic centimeter (cm3), etc. The liter is a special name for the
cubic decimeter (dm3). SI prefixes are often used with liter for convenience.
In 1979, the CGPM approved the letters l and L as alternative symbols for the liter. Because the letter
symbol l can easily be confused with the numeral 1, the symbol L is recommended for use in the United
States. The script ell () shall not be used as a symbol for liter. See C.2 for information concerning the
history of this unit.
3.3.2.5 Mass
The SI unit of mass is the kilogram (kg). This unit, or a multiple or submultiple formed by attaching an SI
prefix to gram (g), is preferred in all applications.
The name ton has been given to several large mass units that are widely used in commerce and
technology: the long ton of 2240lb, the short ton of 2000lb, and the metric ton of 1000kg or 1Mg, which
is almost 2205lb. Tonne is a name for metric ton that is used in many countries. Only the megagram is
SI.

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3.3.2.6 Units whose values are obtained experimentally

Table 7 lists two non-SI units that are also accepted for use with SI, whose values expressed in SI units
must be obtained by experiment and are therefore not known exactly. These units are in common use in
certain specialized fields.
3.3.3 Units and names that are not to be used
Table 8 lists units and names that are not to be used and gives SI equivalents that should be used in their
place. These are examples of several metric and related units other than those of SI that have been defined
over the years. Some are used only in special fields; others have found broad application outside the United
States. Do not use units that are not part of SI (or non-SI names for multiples or submultiples of SI units,
such as micron for micrometer). Some units that are not to be used are discussed in more detail in 3.3.3.1
and 3.3.3.2. Note that these subsections and Table 8are not complete but only indicate prominent
examples.
3.3.3.1 Pressure and stress
The SI unit of pressure and stress is the pascal (newton per square meter), and with appropriate SI prefixes
it should be used in all applications (see also 3.4.7). The kilopascal is useful in many practical
applicationsnormal atmospheric pressure is approximately 100kPa, and automobile manufacturers are
specifying tire pressure in kPa. Do not use old metric units for pressure and stress such as kilogram-force
per square centimeter (kgf/cm2) or other non-SI units, such as torr, millimeter of mercury, or meter of water
for pressure.
3.3.3.2 Centimeter-gram-second (CGS) units
Prior to the introduction of the SI, many units were defined in measurement systems based upon the
centimeter, gram, and second (CGS units) and given special names. Do not use any of these units.
A few examples of CGS units with special names that are not to be used are:

In mechanics and fluid mechanics: erg, dyne, gal, poise, stokes

In photometry: stilb, phot, lambert

In electricity and magnetism, the so-called electrostatic units (esu) and electromagnetic units (emu) are
further examples of CGS units. Do not use any of the units in these systems, including those with special
names such as gauss, maxwell, oersted, gilbert, biot, and franklin. This prohibition extends also to those
units with names formed with the prefixes ab and stat, such as the abampere and the statvolt.
These and other examples of units not to be used can be found in Table 8.

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Table 8 Examples of unit names and symbols that are not to be used
Do not use
Value in SI units

Unit
symbol

Unit name
ngstrom

= 0.1nm = 1010 m

area

a = dam2 = 100m2

atmosphere, standard

atm

atm = 101.325kPa

atmosphere, technical

at

at = 98.0665kPa

bar

bar

bar = 100kPa

barn

b = 100fm2 = 1028 m2

calorie (physics)b

cal

cal = 4.184J

Calorie (nutrition)b

Cal

Cal = 4.184kJ

candle

cd

candlepower

cp

cp = cd

dyne

dyn

dyn = 105 N

erg

erg

erg = 107 J

fermi

fermi

fermi = fm = 1015 m
9.80665m/s2

G, g (as a unit)
gal

Gal

Gal = cm/s2 = 102 m/s2

gamma

= nT = 109 T

gauss

G = 104 T

gon, grad, grade

gon

gon = (/200) rad

kilocalorieb

kcal

kcal = 4.184kJ

kilogram-force

kgf

kgf = 9.80665N

langley

cal/cm2

cal/cm2 = 41.84kJ/m2 = 4.184 104J/m2

maxwell

Mx

Mx = 108 Wb

metric carat

carat = 200mg = 2 104 kg

metric horsepower

735.5W

micron

= m = 106 m

millimeter of mercuryc

mmHg

mmHg 133.3Pa

millimeter, centimeter, or
meter of waterc

mmH2O,
etc.

9.80665Pa, etc.

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Do not use
Value in SI units

Unit
symbol

Unit name
millimicron

m = nm = 109 m

mho

mho

mho = S

oersted

Oe

Oe = (1000/4) A/m

phot

ph

ph = 104 lx

poise

P = dyns/cm2 = 0.1Pas

stere

st

st = m3

stilb

sb

sb = cd/cm2 = 104 cd/m2

stokes

St

St = cm2/s = 104 m2/s

torr

Torr

Torr = (101325/760) Pa
1.0021 1013 m

x unit
(mass)

= g = 109 kg

(volume)

= mm3 = 109 m3

Note that, as an exception, the hectare may be used (3.3.2.3).

See NOTE 3in Table A.1 for a note on the calorie and kilocalorie.
c
See NOTE 2in Table A.1 for a note on the actual pressure corresponding to the height of a column
of fluid.
b

3.4 Some comments concerning quantities and units

3.4.1 Mass, force, and weight
For a discussion of the treatment of these and related quantities in SI, see C.6.
3.4.2 Temperature
The SI unit of thermodynamic temperature is the kelvin (K). Use this unit to express thermodynamic
temperature and temperature intervals. Wide use is also made of the degree Celsius (C), which is equal to
the unit kelvin. Degree Celsius is a special name for expressing Celsius temperature and temperature
intervals. Celsius temperature t (which replaced centigrade temperature) is related to thermodynamic
temperature T by the equation
t = T To, where To = 273.15K by definition
In practice, the International Temperature Scale of 1990(ITS-90) [B25] serves as the basis for highaccuracy temperature measurements in science and technology.

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3.4.3 Nominal dimensions

Many dimensions used to identify commercial products are nominal valuesvalues like 2 4 lumber
and one-inch pipe that exist in name only and are used for the purposes of convenient designation. Others,
like the inch-based trade sizes of nuts and bolts, designate more precisely one of the critical dimensions of
the product. Although individuals should not convert such designations into SI units, trade associations and
other organizations that are responsible for standardizing such products may adopt, without changing the
product, nominal metric designations as deemed appropriate. (Note that the term dimension as used in
this paragraph is defined in B.1.4 and differs from its use in 3.4.8.) See B.7 for a discussion of conversion
versus substitution.
3.4.4 Quantities and units used in rotational mechanics
3.4.4.1 Angle, angular velocity, and angular acceleration
The coherent SI unit of plane angle is the number one; thus, the coherent SI units of the quantities angle,
angular velocity, and angular acceleration are, respectively, 1, 1/s, and 1/s2. However, it is often convenient
to use the special name radian (rad) instead of the number 1when expressing the values of these
quantities. Thus, for clarity, the units rad, rad/s, and rad/s2are usually used, as shown in Table 4. Similar
comments apply to solid angle; its coherent SI unit is also the number 1, which has the special name
steradian (sr).
3.4.4.2 Moment of force (bending moment)
Because moment of force (bending moment), or torque, is equal to a force times a length (moment arm or
lever arm), its SI unit is Nm. The joule (J), which is a special name for the SI unit of energy and work,
shall not be used as a name for the unit of moment of force or of torque. (See also 3.4.5.)
3.4.4.3 Moment of inertia
Moment of inertia (I) is a property of the mass distribution of a body about an axis (I = mr2); its SI unit is
kgm2.
3.4.4.4 Angular momentum
Angular momentum (moment of momentum) is linear momentum (SI unit kgm/s) times moment arm; its
SI unit is kgm2/s. The total angular momentum of a body of moment of inertia I (SI unit kgm2) rotating
with angular velocity (SI unit 1/s) is I (SI unit kgm2/s).
3.4.4.5 Rotational kinetic energy
The kinetic energy of a body of moment of inertia I (SI unit kgm2) rotating with angular velocity
(SI unit 1/s) is I2/2; its SI unit is J.
3.4.4.6 Rotational work
The work done by a moment of force or by a torque (SI unit Nm) in a rotation through an angle
(SI unit 1) is moment of force or torque times angle of rotation; its SI unit is J.
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Note that if the unit of rotational work is written as Nm rather than as J, possible confusion may occur
because in this form it appears identical to the unit of moment of force or torque. In vector algebraic
expressions or vector diagrams, the distinction between work and moment of force or torque is obvious
because work is the scalar product of force and displacement while moment of force or torque involves the
vector product of moment arm and force, but no such distinction is possible in the associated units.
3.4.5 Energy and power
3.4.5.1 Energy
The coherent SI unit of energy, the joule, together with its multiples and submultiples, is preferred for all
applications. The kilowatthour (kWh) is widely used as a measure of electrical energy, but this unit shall
not be introduced into any other fields.
3.4.5.2 Power
The coherent SI unit of power, the watt, together with its multiples and submultiples, is suitable for all
applications involving the rate of transfer of energy. In the electrical power industry, however, it is
convenient, and of considerable economic importance, to distinguish between energy that is consumed in a
resistive load and energy that flows back and forth between a generator and a reactive load. Power
engineers therefore use the voltampere (VA) to measure apparent power, the product of alternating current
and alternating voltage, and they use the var (var) to measure reactive power, the product of alternating
current and the in-quadrature component of alternating voltage. They reserve the watt (W) for active power,
the product of alternating current and the in-phase component of alternating voltage.
3.4.6 Impact energy absorption
This quantity, often incorrectly called impact resistance or impact strength, is measured in terms of
work required to break a standard specimen; the SI unit is the joule.
3.4.7 Pressure and vacuum
Gage pressure is absolute pressure minus ambient pressure (usually atmospheric pressure). Both gage
pressure and absolute pressure are expressed in pascals, using SI prefixes as appropriate. Gage pressure is
positive if above ambient pressure and negative if below. Pressure below ambient is often called vacuum; if
the term vacuum is applied to a numerical measure, it should be made clear whether absolute pressure or
negative gage pressure is meant. See 3.5.3.4 for methods of designating gage pressure and absolute
pressure.
3.4.8 Dimensions of quantities
It is frequently useful to characterize a physical quantity by its relationship to the base quantities in the
measurement system. Such a characterization is called the dimension of the quantity. For example, velocity
is equal to distance (a length) divided by time, which can be denoted by L/T. Force is the product of mass
and acceleration, which gives it a dimension of MLT2. If quantities are to be added or subtracted, they
must have the same dimension. This special usage of the term dimension is quite distinct from the everyday
use when one describes the dimensions of an object, such as a table or a building.

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Certain so-called dimensionless quantities, as for example refractive index, relative permeability, relative
mass density, or the friction factor, are defined as the ratio of two comparable quantities. Such quantities
have a dimensional productor dimensionequal to 1and are therefore expressed by pure numbers. The
coherent SI unit is then the ratio of two identical SI units and may be expressed by the number one (for
example, m/m = 1). More generally, a quantity of dimension one may be expressed by the ratio of units (for
example, mm/m = 103). The number one is generally not written out explicitly when a quantity of
dimension one is expressed numerically.
The percent symbol (%) may be used for the number 0.01. Avoid, however, the abbreviations ppm for parts
per million and ppb for parts per billion. Because the meanings of the words billion, trillion, etc. are not
uniform worldwide, do not use terms such as parts per billion and parts per trillion. (See 3.5.4.3.)
When expressing the values of quantities of dimension one, the meaning must be clear. Expressions like
The mass fraction of Pb in the sample is 90% (or 0.9), or the amount-of-substance fraction of Pb in the
sample is 2.7103, are permissible, but they would not be permissible if the words mass and amount
of substance, respectively were not in the two expressions. These two fractions can also be expressed as
0.9kg/kg and 2.7mmol/mol, respectively, which are more understandable and, therefore, preferred.

3.5 Style and usage

3.5.1 General rules for writing unit symbols
In SI, symbols represent units, such as m for meter. Unit symbols are written according to rules that have
been standardized internationally. The SI unit symbols are the same worldwide, regardless of the spelling,
language, or alphabet.
a)

Print unit symbols in roman (upright) type regardless of the type style used in the surrounding
text.

b)

If the name of the unit is derived from a proper name, the first letter of the symbol is a capital
(for example, W for watt, Pa for pascal). The symbol for liter (L) is also capitalized because a
lowercase l is easily confused with the numeral one. All other units have lowercase symbols,
regardless of the case in the surrounding text. When the name of a unit is spelled out, it is
always written in lowercase, except when the name is the first word of a sentence or is the name
degree Celsius.
The prefixes mega and larger have uppercase symbols, and the prefixes kilo and smaller have
lowercase symbols, regardless of the case of the surrounding text.

c)

Unit symbols are the same for both singular and plural. Thus, the symbol for kilometers is km,
not kms.

d)

Do not follow a unit symbol with a period unless it ends a sentence.

e)

If the value of a quantity is expressed as a numerical value and a unit symbol, a space shall be
inserted between them. The space shall be fixed (i.e., it shall not expand if the line is justified),
and it should be non-breaking (i.e., the number should not fall at the end of a line with the unit
symbol appearing on the next line), For example, write 35mm, not 35mm, 2.37lm (for
2.37lumens), not 2.37lm, and 20C, not 20C. Do not insert a space between the number and
the symbols for degree, minute, and second of plane angle.

f)

Do not insert any space between the prefix and unit symbols.

g)

Use symbols, not informal abbreviations, for units. For example, use A, and not amp, for
ampere, and use cm3, not cc, for cubic centimeter.

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h)

Units may be factored out of sums algebraically, as in

2.6m + 5.2m = (2.6+ 5.2) m = 7.8m
but note that in multiplication the units multiply as well. Thus,
(2.6m)(5.2m) = 13.52m2

3.5.2 Rules for writing unit names

The handling of unit names varies internationally because of language differences. (See C.5 regarding
spelling.) The following rules should be followed in the United States:
a)

Unit names are common nouns in English. Thus, do not capitalize the first letter of a unit name
except at the beginning of a sentence or in capitalized material such as a title.

b)

Use plurals as required by the rules of English grammar, for example, henries for the plural of
henry and kelvins for the plural of kelvin. The following plurals are irregular:
Singular

Plural

lux

lux

hertz

hertz

siemens

siemens

c)

Use the plural when values exceed unity; otherwise use the singular (e.g., 1.1meters and
0.9meter).

d)

Do not leave a space or place a hyphen between the prefix and unit name.

In three cases, the final vowel in the prefix is omitted: megohm, kilohm, and hectare. In all other
cases where the unit name begins with a vowel, both vowels are retained and both are pronounced.
3.5.3 Units formed by multiplication and division
3.5.3.1 Unit names
a)

Product. Use a space (preferred) or a hyphen:

newton meter or newton-meter
The space may be omitted with watthour and voltampere.

b)

Quotient. Use the word per and not a solidus:

meter per second, not meter/second

c)

Powers. Use the modifier squared or cubed placed after the unit name:
meter per second squared
In the case of area or volume, a modifier may be placed before the unit name:
square millimeter, cubic meter, watt per square meter

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d)

Symbols. To avoid ambiguity in complicated expressions, unit symbols are preferred over unit
names.

e)

Plurals. To form the plural of a unit that is formed by multiplication of other units, use the
plural form of the last unit in the product, for example, newton meters, and pascal seconds. If a
quotient is involved, the last unit in the numerator is made plural, for example, meters per
second squared, kelvins per watt, and kelvin meters per watt.

3.5.3.2 Unit symbols

To form the symbol for a unit that is the product of two or more units, use either a raised dot (called a
middle dot in computer technology, Unicode character 00B7), which is preferred, or a space. Thus, for
newton meter
Nm or N m
The symbols for certain compound units of electrical power engineering are usually written without
separation, thus:
watthour (Wh), kilowatthour (kWh), voltampere (VA), and kilovoltampere (kVA)
The symbol for a unit that is a quotient of two or more units is indicated in one of the following ways:
m/s or ms 1or

m
s

Do not use a solidus followed by a multiplication sign or by a division sign on the same line unless
ambiguity is avoided by parentheses. In complicated cases, use negative exponents or parentheses to avoid
ambiguity. For example, write
J/(molK) or Jmol1 K1or (J/mol)/K, but not J/mol/K
3.5.3.3 Mixtures
Do not mix symbols and unit names in the same expression. For example, write
joules per kilogram or J/kg
Do not write
joules/kilogram or joules/kg or jouleskg 1
3.5.3.4 Attachments to unit symbols
Attaching letters to a unit symbol as a means of giving information about the nature of the quantity under
consideration is incorrect. Thus, do not use MWe, Vac, VAC, kJt, megawatts electrical (power), volts
ac, or kilojoules thermal (energy). If the context leaves any doubt as to what is meant, qualify the name
of the quantity appropriately. For example, ... an electric power of 1.4MW.
For the same reason, do not attempt to construct SI equivalents of the abbreviations psia (pounds per
square inch, absolute) and psig (pounds per square inch, gage), which are often used to distinguish
between absolute and gage pressure. Wherever possible use instead at a gage pressure of 13kPa or
...at an absolute pressure of 13kPa.
18
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Some contexts do not allow the written-out style recommended above: table headings, gage dials, and
graph labels are examples. In such situations only, a modifier may be added (after a space) in parentheses.
For example, kPa (gage), kPa (absolute), and V (ac) are then permitted.
3.5.4 Numbers
3.5.4.1 Decimal marker and grouping digits
In the United States, the decimal marker is a dot on the line. Outside the United States, the comma is
widely used as the decimal marker. In some applications, therefore, the common practice in the United
States of using the comma to separate digits into groups of three (as in 23,478) may cause ambiguity. To
avoid this source of confusion, international practice calls for separating the digits into groups of three,
counting from the decimal marker toward the left and the right, and using a thin, fixed space to separate the
groups. The space should also be nonbreaking, so that the number is not broken across lines. In numbers of
four digits on either side of the decimal marker, the space is usually not necessary, except for uniformity in
tables.
Where this practice is followed, the width of the space should be constant even if, as is often the case in
printing, justified spacing is used between words. In certain special applications, such as in engineering
drawings and financial statements, the practice of inserting spaces into separate groups of numbers is not
customary.
When writing numbers between one and minus one, write a zero before the decimal marker.
Examples:

2.141

596

73722

7372

0.1334

3.5.4.2 Billion
Because billion means a thousand million (prefix giga) in the United States but a million million (prefix
tera) in some other countries, do not use the term and similar terms for larger numbers in technical writing.
3.5.4.3 Roman numerals
Do not use M to indicate thousands (as in MCF for thousands of cubic feet or in MCM for thousands of
circular mils), nor MM to indicate millions, nor C to indicate hundreds, etc., because of conflicts with the
SI prefixes.

19
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Annex A
(informative)
Tables of conversion factors

A.1 General
The following tables provide factors to convert values expressed in various units into equivalent values
expressed in units of the SI, including units accepted for use with the International System of Units. See
Annex B for information on conversion and rounding.
In most cases, the converted values are expressed in terms of the base and derived units of SI to provide a
coherent presentation of the conversion factors and to facilitate computations. If desired, the user can select
appropriate SI prefixes (see 3.2.2) and shift the decimal marker. For example, the factor for the
International Table British thermal unit leads to 1055.056J when applied directly, and this is seen to be
equal to 1.055056kJ.

A.2 Notation
In most cases, factors are given to seven significant digits. If fewer digits are shown, more are not
warranted. Factors that are too large or too small to fit into the field of the tables are given in exponential
notation. For example, the factor for converting an area in circular mils into square millimeters is given as
5.067075E04, which is to be interpreted as 5.067075 104or 0.0005067075. The order of magnitude
of each factor given in decimal notation in the tables that follow is obvious to the eye, as the decimal points
of those multipliers are aligned.
A conversion factor that is set in boldface is exact.

A.3 Use
The table entries are to be interpreted as follows:
To convert from

means

To

Multiply by

foot

meter (m)

0.3048

cubic inch

cubic meter (m3)

1.638706E05

1foot = 0.3048meter (exactly)

1cubic inch = 1.638706 105cubic meter

To convert values expressed in SI units to values expressed in various other units, divide by the conversion
factors.

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The conversion factors for other compound units can be generated from factors shown in the tables, as
follows:
Example:
To find the conversion factor required to convert pound foot per second (a unit of momentum) to kilogram
meter per second, use
1lb = 0.45359237kg (exactly) and 1ft = 0.3048m (exactly)
By substitution, 1lbft/s = (0.45359237kg) (0.3048m/s) = 0.138254954376kgm/s (exactly).
Rounded to seven significant digits, the conversion factor is 0.1382550. Note that the seventh
decimal place in this conversion factor (i.e., the last zero) is significant.

A.4 Tables
A.4.1 Organization
In Table A.1, all units are listed in alphabetical order. In Table A.2 to Table A.7, the factors are classified
according to the following categories:

A.2Space and time

A.3Mechanics

A.4Heat

A.5Electricity and magnetism

A.6Radiology

A.7Light

21
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Table A.1Alphabetical list of units

To convert from

Multiply bya

To

NOTE

abampere

ampere (A)

10

abcoulomb

coulomb (C)

10

abfarad

farad (F)

1.0E+09

abhenry

henry (H)

1.0E09

abmho

siemens (S)

1.0E+09

abohm

ohm ()

1.0E09

abvolt

volt (V)

1.0E08

acre (43560square U.S.

survey feet)

square meter (m2)

hectare (ha)

4046.873
0.4046873

acre-foot

cubic meter (m3)

1233.489

ampere hour

coulomb (C)

3600

ampere turn

ampere (A)

ampere turn per inch

ampere per meter (A/m)

ampere turn per meter

ampere per meter (A/m)

1.0

ngstrm ()

meter (m)
nanometer (nm)

1.0E10
0.1

are (a)

square meter (m2)

astronomical unit (ua)

meter (m)

1.495979E+11

atmosphere, standard (atm)

pascal (Pa)
kilopascal (kPa)

1.01325E+05
101.325

atmosphere, technical
(1kgf/cm2)

pascal (Pa)
kilopascal (kPa)

9.80665E+04
98.0665

bar (bar)

pascal (Pa)
kilopascal (kPa)

barn (b)

square meter (m2)

1.0E28

barrel (oil, 42U.S. gallons)

cubic meter (m3)

liter (L)

0.1589873
158.9873

becquerel (Bq)

one per second

1.0
39.37008

100

1.0E+05
100

1.0

22
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To convert from

Multiply bya

To

1055.056

NOTE

British thermal unit (Btu)

(International Table)

joule (J)

Btu foot per hour square foot

degree Fahrenheit
[Btuft/(hft2F)]

watt per meter kelvin

[W/(mK)]

1.730735

Btu inch per hour square foot

degree Fahrenheit
[Btuin/(hft2F)]

watt per meter kelvin

[W/(mK)]

0.1442279

Btu per cubic foot (Btu/ft3)

joule per cubic meter (J/m3)

3.725895E+04

Btu per degree Fahrenheit

(Btu/F)

joule per kelvin (J/K)

1899.101

Btu per degree Rankine

(Btu/R)

joule per kelvin (J/K)

1899.101

Btu per hour (Btu/h)

watt (W)

0.2930711

Btu per hour square foot

[Btu/(hft2)]

watt per square meter (W/m2)

3.154591

Btu per hour square foot

degree Fahrenheit
[Btu/(hft2F)]

watt per square meter kelvin

[W/(m2K)]

5.678263

Btu per pound

joule per kilogram (J/kg)

2326

Btu per pound degree

Fahrenheit [Btu/(lbF)]

joule per kilogram kelvin

[J/(kgK)]

4186.8

Btu per pound-mole

joule per kilomole (J/kmol)

2326

Btu per pound-mole degree

Fahrenheit

joule per kilomole kelvin

[J/(kmolK)]

4186.8

Btu per second (Btu/s)

watt (W)

1055.056

Btu per square foot (Btu/ft2)

joule per square meter (J/m2)

1.135653E+04

bushel (U.S.) (bu)

cubic meter (m3)

0.03523907

calorie (thermochemical) (cal)

joule (J)

4.184

calorie, nutrition (kilocalorie)

(kcal)

joule (J)

calorie per centimeter second

degree Celsius
[cal/(cmsC)]

watt per meter kelvin

[W/(mK)]

calorie per gram (cal/g)

joule per kilogram (J/kg)

4184

418.4

4184

23
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To convert from

Multiply bya

To

NOTE

calorie per gram degree

Celsius [cal/(gC)]

joule per kilogram kelvin

[J/(kgK)]

calorie per mole (cal/mol)

joule per mole (J/mol)

4.184

calorie per mole degree

Celsius [cal/(molC)]

joule per mole kelvin

[(J/(molK)]

4.184

calorie per second (cal/s)

watt (W)

4.184

calorie per square centimeter

(cal/cm2)

joule per square meter (J/m2)

4.184E+04

calorie per square centimeter

second [cal/(cm2s)]

watt per square meter (W/m2)

4.184E+04

candela per square inch

(cd/in2)

candela per square meter

(cd/m2)

candle, candlepower (cd)

candela (cd)

1.0

carat (metric)

kilogram (kg)
gram (g)

0.0002
0.2

centimeter of water (cmH2O)

pascal (Pa)

centipoise (cP)

pascal second (Pas)

0.001

centistokes (cSt)

square meter per second

(m2/s)

1.0E06

chain (66U.S. survey feet)

meter (m)

circular mil (cmil)

square millimeter (mm2)

5.067075E04

clo

kelvin square meter per watt

(Km2/W)

0.155

cord

cubic meter (m3)

3.625

cubic foot (ft3)

cubic meter (m3)

0.02831685

cubic foot per minute

cubic meter per second

(m3/s)
liter per second (L/s)

4.719474E04
0.4719474

cubic foot per second (ft3/s)

cubic meter per second

(m3/s)

0.02831685

cubic inch (in3)

cubic meter (m3)

1.6387064E05

cubic inch per minute

(in3/min)

cubic meter per second

(m3/s)

2.731177E07

4184

1550.003

98.0665

20.11684

24
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To convert from

Multiply bya

To

cubic mile (mi3)

cubic meter (m3)

cubic kilometer (km3)

4.168182E+09
4.168182

cubic yard (yd3)

cubic meter (m3)

0.7645549

cubic yard per minute

(yd3/min)

cubic meter per second

(m3/s)

0.01274258

cup (U.S.)

cubic meter (m3)

liter (L)
milliliter (mL)

2.366E04
0.2366
236.6

cup (metric)

cubic meter (m3)

liter (L)
milliliter (mL)

2.5E04
0.25
250.0

curie (Ci)

becquerel (Bq)

3.7E+10

dalton

kilogram (kg)

1.660539E27

darcy

square meter (m2)

9.869233E13

day (24h) (d)

second (s)

8.64E+04

day (sidereal)

second (s)

8.616409E+04

debye (D)

coulomb meter (Cm)

3.335641E30

degree

radian (rad)

/180=
0.01745329

degree Celsius (C) (interval)

kelvin (K)

1.0

degree Celsius (C)

(temperature)

kelvin (K)

degree Fahrenheit (F)

(interval)

kelvin (K)
degree Celsius (C)

0.5555556
0.5555556

degree Fahrenheit (F)

(temperature)

kelvin (K)
degree Celsius (C)

TK = (tF +459.67)/1.8
tC = (tF 32)/1.8

degree Fahrenheit hour per

Btu (Fh/Btu)

kelvin per watt (K/W)

1.895634

degree Fahrenheit square foot

hour per Btu
(Fft2h/Btu)

kelvin square meter per watt

(Km2/W)

0.1761102

degree Fahrenheit square foot

hour per Btu inch
[Fft2h/(Btuin)]

kelvin meter per watt

(Km/W)

6.933472

degree Rankine (R) (interval)

kelvin (K)

0.5555556

TK = tC + 273.15

25
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NOTE

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American National Standard for Metric Practice

To convert from

Multiply bya

To

degree Rankine (R)

(temperature)

kelvin (K)

denier

kilogram per meter (kg/m)

1.111111E07

dyne (dyn)

newton (N)

1.0E05

dyne centimeter (dyncm)

newton meter (Nm)

1.0E07

dyne per square centimeter

pascal (Pa)

0.1

electronvolt (eV)

joule (J)

1.602176E19

erg (erg)

joule (J)

1.0E07

erg per second (erg/s)

watt (W)

1.0E07

erg per square centimeter

(erg/cm2)

joule per square meter

(W/m2)

0.001

faraday (based on carbon 12)

coulomb (C)

9.648531E+04

fathom

meter (m)

1.8288

fermi

meter (m)
femtometer (fm)

1.0E15
1.0

foot (ft)

meter (m)

0.3048

foot, U.S. survey

meter (m)

0.3048006

foot of water (ftH2O)

pascal (Pa)
kilopascal (kPa)

foot per hour (ft/h)

meter per second (m/s)

foot per minute (ft/min)

meter per second (m/s)

0.00508

foot per second (ft/s)

meter per second (m/s)

0.3048

foot per second squared (ft/s2)

meter per second squared

(m/s2)

0.3048

foot pound-force (ftlbf)

(torque)

newton meter (Nm)

1.355818

foot pound-force (ftlbf)

(energy)

joule (J)

1.355818

foot pound-force per cubic

foot (ftlbf/ft3)

joule per cubic meter (J/m3)

NOTE

TK = TR/1.8

2989.07
2.98907
8.466667E05

47.88025

26
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To convert from

Multiply bya

To

foot pound-force per hour

(ftlbf/h)

watt (W)

3.766161E04

foot pound-force per minute

(ftlbf/min)

watt (W)

0.02259697

foot pound-force per second

(ftlbf/s)

watt (W)

1.355818

foot pound-force per square

foot (ftlbf/ft2)

joule per square meter (J/m2)

14.59390

foot pound-force per square

foot second [ftlbf/(ft2s)]

watt per square meter (W/m2)

14.59390

foot poundal (ftpdl)

joule (J)

footcandle (fc)

lux (lx)

footlambert (fL)

candela per square meter

(cd/m2)

3.426259

franklin (Fr)

coulomb (C)

3.335641E10

gn (standard acceleration due

to gravity)

meter per second squared

(m/s2)

9.80665

gal (Gal) (cm/s2)

meter per second squared

(m/s2)

0.01

gallon (Imperial) (gal)

cubic meter (m3)

liter (L)

4.54609E03
4.5460

gallon (U.S.) (231in3) (gal)

cubic meter (m3)

liter (L)

3.785412E03
3.785412

gallon (U.S.) per day (gal/d)

cubic meter per second

(m3/s)
liter per second (L/s)

4.381264E08
4.381264E05

gallon (U.S.) per minute

(gpm)

cubic meter per second

(m3/s)
liter per second (L/s)

6.309020E05
0.06309020

gallon (U.S.) per horsepower

hour

cubic meter per joule (m3/J)

1.410089E09

gamma ()

tesla (T)

1.0E09

gauss (G)

tesla (T)

1.0E04

gilbert (Gi)

ampere (A)

grad, grade, gon (gon)

radian (rad)

0.04214011
10.76391

10/4 = 0.7957747
2/400= 0.01570796

degree of angle ()

0.9

27
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NOTE

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American National Standard for Metric Practice

To convert from

Multiply bya

To

grain (gr)

kilogram (kg)
milligram (mg)

grain per gallon (U.S.) (gr/gal)

kilogram per cubic meter

(kg/m3)
milligram per liter (mg/L)

NOTE

6.479891E05
64.79891
0.01711806
17.11806

gravity, standard acceleration

due to (gn)

meter per second squared

(m/s2)

9.80665

hectare (ha)

square meter (m2)

1.0E+04

horsepower (550ftlbf/s) (hp)

watt (W)

horsepower (boiler)
(approximately 33470Btu/h)

watt (W)

9809.50

horsepower (electric)

watt (W)

746

horsepower (metric)

watt (W)

735.4988

hour (h)

second (s)

3600

hour (sidereal)

second (s)

3590.170

hundredweight, long
(112lb)

kilogram (kg)

50.80235

hundredweight, short
(100lb) (cwt)

kilogram (kg)

45.35924

inch (in)

meter (m)

inch of mercury (inHg)

pascal (Pa)

inch of water (inH2O)

pascal (Pa)

inch ounce-force (torque)

newton meter (Nm)

7.061552E03

inch pound-force (inlbf)

newton meter (Nm)

0.1129848

jansky (Jy)

watt per square meter hertz

[W/(m2Hz)]

1.0E26

kilocalorie (thermochemical)
(kcal)

joule (J)

kilogram-force (kgf)

newton (N)

9.80665

kilogram-force meter
(kgfm)

newton meter (Nm)

9.80665

kilogram-force per square

centimeter (kgf/cm2)

kilopascal (kPa)

745.6999

0.0254
3386.3
249.089

4184

98.0665

28
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To convert from

Multiply bya

To

kilogram-force per square

meter (kgf/m2)

pascal (Pa)

kilometer per hour

(km/h; kph)

meter per second (m/s)

kilopond (kilogram-force)
(kp)

newton (N)

9.80665

kilowatthour (kWh)

joule (J)

3.6E+06

kip (1000lbf)

kilonewton (kN)

4.448222

kip per square inch (ksi)

megapascal (MPa)

6.894757

knot (nautical mile per hour)

(kn)

meter per second (m/s)

0.5144444

lambert (L)

candela per square meter

(cd/m2)

langley (cal/cm2)

joule per square meter (J/m2)

4.184E+04

light year (l.y.)

meter (m)

9.460528E+15

lumen per square foot

lumen per square meter

(lm/m2)

maxwell (Mx)

weber (Wb)

metric ton (t)

kilogram (kg)

mho

siemens (S)

1.0

microinch (in)

meter (m)

2.54E08

microliter (L) (= mm3)

liter (L)

1.0E06

micron (= micrometer, m)

meter (m)

1.0E06

mil (0.001in) (mil)

meter (m)
millimeter (mm)

2.54E05
0.0254

mil (angle)

radian (rad)

NOTE

9.80665
1000/3600
= 0.2777778

(1/) E+04=
3183.099

10.76391

1.0E08
1000

2/6400
= 9.817477E04
0.05625

degree ()
mile, international (5280ft)
(mi)

meter (m)

1609.344

mile, nautical (nmi)

meter (m)

1852

mile, U.S. statute

meter (m)

1609.347

mile per gallon (U.S.) (mpg)

kilometer per liter (km/L)

0.4251437

29
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To convert from

Multiply bya

To

mile per hour (mph, mi/h)

meter per second (m/s)

kilometer per hour (km/h)

mile per minute (mi/min)

meter per second (m/s)

millibar (mbar)

pascal (Pa)
hectopascal (hPa)

milliliter (mL) (= cm3)

liter (L)

millimeter of mercury
(mmHg)

pascal (Pa)

minute (arc)

radian (rad)

minute

second (s)

60

minute (sidereal)

second (s)

59.83617

nautical mile (nmi)

meter (m)

1852

oersted (Oe)

ampere per meter (A/m)

1000/4=
79.57747

oersted centimeter (Oecm)

ampere (A)

0.7957747

ohm centimeter (cm)

ohm meter (m)

0.01

ohm circular-mil per foot

(cmil/ft)

ohm meter (m)

ohm square millimeter per
meter (mm2/m)

1.662426E09
0.001662426

ounce (avoirdupois) (oz)

kilogram (kg)
gram (g)

ounce (Imperial fluid) (fl oz)

cubic meter (m3)

2.841306E05

ounce (troy or apothecary)

(oz)

kilogram (kg)

0.031103 48

ounce (U.S. fluid) (oz)

cubic meter (m3)

milliliter (mL)

ounce-force (ozf)

newton (N)

0.2780139

ounce-force inch (ozfin)

(torque)

newton meter (Nm)

7.061552E03

ounce (av) per cubic inch

(oz/in3)

kilogram per cubic meter

(kg/m3)

NOTE

0.44704
1.609344
26.8224
100
1
0.001
133.3224
2.908882E04

0.02834952
28.34952

2.957353E05
29.57353

30

1729.994

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To convert from

Multiply bya

To

ounce (av) per gallon (U.S.)

(oz/gal)

kilogram per cubic meter

(kg/m3)

7.489152

ounce per square foot (oz/ft2)

kilogram per square meter

(kg/m2)

0.3051517

ounce per square yard (oz/yd2)

kilogram per square meter

(kg/m2)

0.03390575

parsec (pc)

meter (m)

3.085678E+16

peck (U.S.) (pk)

cubic meter (m3)

liter (L)

8.809768E03
8.809768

pennyweight (dwt)

kilogram (kg)

1.555174E03

perm (0C)

kilogram per pascal second

square meter [kg/(Pasm2)]

5.72135E11

perm (23C)

kilogram per pascal second

square meter [kg/(Pasm2)]

5.74525E11

perm inch (0C)

kilogram per pascal second

meter [kg/(Pasm)]

1.45322E12

perm inch (23C)

kilogram per pascal second

meter [kg/(Pasm)]

1.45929E12

phot (ph)

lumen per square meter

(lm/m2)

1.0E+04

pica (computer) (1/6in) (pi)

meter (m)
millimeter (mm)

0.004233333
4.233333

pica (printers) (pi)

meter (m)
millimeter (mm)

0.0042175
4.2175

pint (Imperial) (pt)

cubic meter (m3)

liter (L)

5.6826125E04
0.56826125

pint (U.S. dry) (dry pt)

cubic meter (m3)

liter (L)

5.5061E04
0.55061

pint (U.S. liquid) (pt)

cubic meter (m3)

liter (L)

4.73176E04
0.473176

point (computer) (1/72in) (p)

meter (m)

3.527778E04

point (printers) (p)

meter (m)
millimeter (mm)

3.5146E04
0.35146

poise (p)

pascal second (Pas)

0.1

pound (avoirdupois) (lb)

kilogram (kg)

0.45359237

31
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NOTE

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American National Standard for Metric Practice

To convert from

Multiply bya

To

pound (troy or apothecary)

(lb)

kilogram (kg)

0.3732417

poundal (pdl)

newton (N)

0.1382550

poundal per square foot

(pdl/ft2)

pascal (Pa)

1.488164

pound-force (lbf)

newton (N)

4.448222

pound-force foot (lbfft)

(torque)

newton meter (Nm)

1.355818

pound-force inch (lbfin)

(torque)

newton meter (Nm)

0.1129848

pound-force per foot (lbf/ft)

newton per meter (N/m)

pound-force per inch (lbf/in)

newton per meter (N/m)

pound-force per pound (lbf/lb)

newton per kilogram (N/kg)

pound-force per square foot

(lbf/ft2) (psf)

pascal (Pa)

pound-force per square inch

(lbf/in2) (psi)

pascal (Pa)
kilopascal (kPa)

pound-force second per square

foot (lbfs/ft2)

pascal second (Pas)

pound-force second per square

inch (lbfs/in2)

pascal second (Pas)

pound-mole

Mole

pound per cubic foot (lb/ft3)

kilogram per cubic meter

(kg/m3)

pound per cubic inch (lb/in3)

kilogram per cubic meter

(kg/m3)

2.767990E+04

pound per cubic yard (lb/yd3)

kilogram per cubic meter

(kg/m3)

0.5932764

pound per foot (lb/ft)

kilogram per meter (kg/m)

1.488164

pound per foot hour

[lb/(fth)]

pascal second (Pas)

4.133789E04

pound per gallon (U.S.)

(lb/gal)

kilogram per cubic meter

(kg/m3)
kilogram per liter (kg/L)

pound per hour (lb/h)

14.59390
175.1268
9.80665
47.88026

6894.757
6.894757
47.88026

6894.757

453.59237

kilogram per second (kg/s)

16.01846

119.8264
0.1198264
1.259979E04

32
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NOTE

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American National Standard for Metric Practice

To convert from

Multiply bya

To

pound per inch (lb/in)

kilogram per meter (kg/m)

pound per minute (lb/min)

kilogram per second (kg/s)

0.007559873

pound per pound-mol

kilogram per mole (kg/mol)

0.001

pound per square foot (lb/ft2)

kilogram per square meter

(kg/m2)

4.882428

pound per horsepower hour

[lb/(hph)]

kilogram per joule (kg/J)

1.689659E07

pound per yard (lb/yd)

kilogram per meter (kg/m)

0.4960546

quad (= 1015Btu)

joule (J)

1.055E+18

quart (U.S. dry) (dry qt)

cubic meter (m3)

liter (L)

0.001101221
1.101221

quart (U.S. liquid) (qt)

cubic meter (m3)

liter (L)

9.463529E04
0.9463529

rad (absorbed dose) (rad)

gray (Gy)

0.01

rayleigh (Rayl)

pascal second per meter

(Pas)/m

1.0

rem (dose equivalent) (rem)

sievert (Sv)

0.01

revolution (r)

radian (rad)

2 = 6.283185

revolution per minute

(r/min, rpm)

radian per second (rad/s)

2/60= 0.1047198

rhe

1per pascal second

[1/(Pas)]

10

rod (16.5U.S. survey feet)

(rd)

meter (m)

5.029210

roentgen (R)

coulomb per kilogram (C/kg)

2.58E04

second (angle)

radian (rad)

4.848137E06

second (sidereal)

second (s)

0.9972696

shake

second (s)
nanosecond (ns)

1.0E08
10

slug (slug)

kilogram (kg)

14.59390

slug per cubic foot (slug/ft3)

kilogram per cubic meter

(kg/m3)

5.153788E+02

slug per foot (slug/ft)

kilogram per meter (kg/m)

4.788026E+01

17.85797

33
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NOTE

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American National Standard for Metric Practice

To convert from

Multiply bya

To

NOTE

slug per foot second

(slug/fts)

pascal second (Pas)

4.788026E+01

slug per square foot (slug/ft2)

kilogram per square meter

(kg/m2)

1.570875E+02

square foot (ft2)

square meter (m2)

0.09290304

square foot per hour (ft2/h)

square meter per second

(m2/s)

2.58064E05

square inch (in2)

square meter (m2)

6.4516E04

square mile (mi2)

square meter (m2)

2.589988E+06

square yard (yd2)

square meter (m2)

0.8361274

standard acceleration due to

gravity (gn)

meter per second squared

(m/s2)

9.80665

statampere

ampere (A)

3.335641E10

statcoulomb

coulomb (C)

3.335641E10

statfarad

farad (F)

1.112650E12

stathenry

henry (H)

8.987552E+11

statmho

siemens (S)

1.112650E12

statohm

ohm ()

8.987552E+11

statvolt

volt (V)

stere (st)

cubic meter (m3)

1.0

stilb (sb)

candela per square meter

(cd/m2)

1.0E+04

stokes (St)

square meter per second

(m2/s)

1.0E04

tablespoon (tbsp)

cubic meter (m3)

milliliter (mL)

15.0E-06
15.0

teaspoon (tsp)

cubic meter (m3)

milliliter (mL)

5.0E-06
5.0

tex

kilogram per meter (kg/m)

1.0E06

therm (EEC) (therm)

joule (J)

1.05506E+08

therm (U.S.) (therm)

joule (J)

1.054804E+08

ton, assay (AT)

gram (g)

299.7925

29.16667

34
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To convert from

Multiply bya

To

ton, long (2240lb) (ton)

kilogram (kg)

ton, register

cubic meter (m3)

ton, short (2000lb) (ton)

kilogram (kg)

ton (from energy equivalent of

one ton of TNT)
(1million kcal)

joule (J)

4.184E+09

ton of oil equivalent

(107kcal)

joule (J)

4.184E+10

ton of refrigeration
(12000Btu/h)

watt (W)

3516.853

ton (long) per cubic yard

kilogram per cubic meter

(kg/m3)

1328.939

ton (short) per cubic yard

kilogram per cubic meter

(kg/m3)

1186.553

ton (short) per hour (ton/h)

kilogram per second (kg/s)

torr (Torr)

pascal (Pa)

unified atomic mass unit (u)

kilogram (kg)

1.66053873E27

unit pole

weber (Wb)

1.256637E07

watthour (Wh)

joule (J)

watt per square centimeter

(W/cm2)

watt per square meter (W/m2)

watt per square inch (W/in2)

watt per square meter (W/m2)

watt second (Ws)

joule (J)

1.0

weber per square meter

(Wb/m2)

tesla (T)

1.0

yard (yd)

meter (m)

0.9144

year of 365days (y)

second (s)

3.1536E+07

year (sidereal)

second (s)

3.155815E+07

year (tropical)

second (s)

3.155693E+07

NOTE

1016.047
2.831685
907.1847

0.2519958
133.322

3600
1.0E+04
1550.003

35
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NOTE 1The U.S. Metric Law of 1866 gave the relationship 1meter equals 39.37inches. Since 1893, the U.S.
yard has been derived from the meter. In 1959, a refinement was made in the definition of the yard to bring the
U.S. yard and the yard used in other countries into agreement. The U.S. yard was changed from 3600/3937meter
to 0.9144meter exactly. The new length is shorter by exactly two parts in a million.
Also in 1959, it was decided that any data in feet derived from and published as a result of geodetic surveys within
the U.S. would remain with the old standard (1foot = 1200/3937meter). This foot is named the U.S. survey foot.
Lengths, areas, and volumes based on the U.S. survey foot are identified in the conversion tables by reference to
this note. Those not so identified are based on the yard equal to 0.9144meter exactly.
NOTE 2The actual pressure corresponding to the height of a vertical column of fluid depends on the local
gravitational field and the density of the fluid, which in turn depends upon the temperature. The conversion factors
given here are conventional values adopted by ISO. They assume a standard gravitational field
(gn = 9.80665N/kg), a density of water equal to 1000kg/m3, and a density of mercury of 13595.1kg/m3.
NOTE 3The British thermal unit used in these tables is the International Table Btu. The Fifth International
Conference on the Properties of Steam (London, July 1956) defined the calorie (International Table) as 4.1868J.
Therefore, the exact conversion factor for the Btu (International Table) is 1.05505585262kJ. Conversion factors
for the other forms of the Btu include the following:
British thermal unit (mean)
British thermal unit (thermochemical)
British thermal unit (39F)
British thermal unit (59F)
British thermal unit (60F)

1055.87J
1054.350J
1059.67J
1054.80J
1054.68J

The calorie used in these tables is the thermochemical calorie, defined as 4.184J exactly, which has been widely
used in scientific work. Other forms of the calorie that have seen practical application include the following:
calorie (International Table)
calorie (mean)
calorie (15C)
calorie (20C)

4.1868J (by definition)

4.19002J
4.18580J
4.18190J

The International Table calorie has been frequently used in European engineering work. The so-called calorie
(or Calorie) used in the United States in the field of nutrition is in fact a kilocalorie (4.184kJ).
NOTE 4The therm (EEC) was legally defined in the Council Directive of 20December 1979, Council of the
European Economic Communities, now the European Union. The therm (U.S.) is legally defined in the Federal
Register of 27July 1968. Although the therm (EEC), which is based on the International Table Btu, is frequently
used by engineers in the United States, the therm (U.S.) is the legal unit used by the natural gas industry in the
United States.
NOTE 5In some countries, automotive fuel efficiency is expressed in terms of fuel consumption, stated in liters
per hundred kilometers. Fuel consumption in liters per 100kilometers is equal to 235.215divided by the fuel
economy expressed in miles per U.S. gallon.
NOTE 6Agricultural products are often sold by the bushel in the U.S. The mass per unit volume of such
products varies considerably owing to differences in variety, size, or condition of the commodity, tightness of
pack, degree to which the container is heaped, etc. The following conversion factors for 1bushel are used by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture for statistical purposes:
barley
corn, shelled
oats
potatoes
soybeans
wheat

21.8kg
25.4kg
14.5kg
27.2kg
27.2kg
27.2kg

NOTE 7The darcy is a unit for measuring permeability of porous solids. The darcy is not a unit of area.
NOTE 8The abbreviation mil is sometimes used erroneously to mean millimeter or milliliter.
NOTE 9See Table 7.
a

A multiplier in bold type indicates that the conversion factor is exact and, therefore, that all subsequent digits are zero.

36
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Table A.2 Classified list of unitsspace and time

(conversion factors to SI units are given in Table A.1)

37
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Table A.3Classified list of unitsmechanics

(conversion factors to SI units are given in Table A.1)

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39
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Table A.4Classified list of unitsheat

(conversion factors to SI units are given in Table A.1)

40
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41
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American National Standard for Metric Practice

Table A.5Classified list of unitselectricity and magnetism

(conversion factors to SI units are given in Table A.1)

42
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Table A.6Classified list of unitsradiology

(conversion factors to SI units are given in Table A.1)

Table A.7Classified list of unitslight

(conversion factors to SI units are given in Table A.1)

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Annex B
(informative)
Rules for conversion and rounding

B.1 Terminology
A clear understanding of the following terms will help ensure reliable conversion and rounding practices.
B.1.1 accuracy: The degree of conformity of a measured or calculated value to some reference value,
which may be specified or may be unknown. This concept includes the systematic error of an operation,
which is seldom negligible or known exactly. (Compare: precision.)
B.1.2 deviation: Departure from a specified dimension or design requirement, usually defining upper and
lower limits. See also: tolerance.
B.1.3 digit: One of the ten numerals (0to 9) in the decimal number system. A position in a number.
B.1.4 dimension: A geometric element in a design, such as length or angle, or the magnitude of such a
quantity. (Note that this usage differs from that in 3.4.8.)
B.1.5 figure (numerical): An arithmetic value expressed by one or more digits.
B.1.6 inch-pound units: Units based upon the yard and the pound commonly used in the United States of
America and defined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Note that units with the same
names in other countries may differ in magnitude.
B.1.7 nominal value: A value used to designate a characteristic of a device or to give a guide to its
intended use.
B.1.8 precision: The degree of mutual agreement among measurements, namely their repeatability and
reproducibility. (Compare: accuracy.)
B.1.9 significant digit: Any digit in a number that is necessary to define a numerical value. (See B.3.)
B.1.10 tolerance: The amount by which the value of a quantity is allowed to vary from the design value,
either larger or smaller.

B.2 Introduction to conversion

Annex A contains conversion factors that show exact values or seven-digit precision.
Handle conversion of values with careful regard to the implied correspondence between the accuracy of the
source value and the number of digits retained. Retain the number of digits (called significant digits) such
that accuracy is neither sacrificed nor exaggerated. (For guidance concerning significant digits, see B.3.)
For example, a length of 125ft converts exactly to 38.1m. If, however, the 125ft length had been obtained
by rounding to the nearest foot, the conversion is 38m; if it had been obtained by rounding to the nearest
25ft, the conversion is 40m. See B.6 for guidance on rounding values.

44
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Proper conversion procedure is to multiply the specified numerical value by the conversion factor exactly
as in Annex A and then round to the appropriate number of significant digits. For example, to convert 3feet
29/16inches to meters:
(3ft 0.3048m/ft) + (2.5625in 0.0254m/in) = 0.9794875m, which rounds to 0.979m.
Do not round either the conversion factor or the numerical value before performing the multiplication, as
accuracy may be reduced. After the conversion, the SI value may be expressed by a multiple or submultiple
unit of SI by the use of an appropriate prefix, for example, 979mm.

B.3 Significant digits

When converting integral values of units, consider the implied or required precision of the integral value
converted. For example, the value 4m may represent 4m, 4.0m, 4.00m, or even greater precision.
Obviously, the converted value must be carried to a sufficient number of digits to maintain the precision
implied or required in the original value.
Any digit that is necessary to define a numerical value of a quantity is said to be significant. When
measured to the nearest 1m, a distance may be recorded as 157m; the numerical value 157has three
significant digits. If the measurement had been made to the nearest 0.1m, the distance might have been
157.4m; the numerical value 157.4has four significant digits.
Zeros may be used either to indicate a numerical value, like any other digit, or to indicate the order of
magnitude of a number. According to the 2000census, the U.S. population was 281421906. Rounded to
thousands, this becomes 281422000. The first six digits of this number are significant; each measures a
value. The last three digits are zeros that merely indicate the order of magnitude of the number rounded to
the nearest thousand.
The identification of significant digits is only possible through knowledge of the circumstances. For
example, the number 1000may be the result of rounding from 965, in which case only one zero is
significant, or it may be rounded from 999.7, in which case all three zeros are significant.

B.4 Operations on data

Occasionally, data required for an investigation must be drawn from a variety of sources where they have
been recorded with varying degrees of refinement. Specific rules should be observed when such data are to
be added, subtracted, multiplied, or divided.
NOTEThe rules in B.4.1 and B.4.2 are approximations that often provide the appropriate number of significant
digits. In some cases, however, the number of digits determined by these rules is too small by one (or even two) digits.
If it is critical to determine the best number of significant digits, a more detailed analysis is required.

45
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B.4.1 Addition and subtraction

The rule for addition and subtraction is that the answer shall contain no significant digits farther to the right
than occurs in the least precise number. Consider the addition of three numbers drawn from three sources,
the first of which reported data in millions, the second in thousands, and the third in units:
163000000
217885000
96432768
477317768
The total indicates a precision that is not valid, so the total is rounded to 477000000as called for by the
rule.
B.4.2 Multiplication and division
The rule for multiplication and division is that the product or quotient shall contain no more significant
digits than are contained in the number with the fewest significant digits used in the multiplication or
division. The difference between this rule and the rule for addition and subtraction should be noted; the
latter rule merely requires rounding of digits that lie to the right of the last significant digit in the least
precise number. The following illustration highlights this difference:
Multiplication:

113.2 1.43= 161.876, rounded to 162

Division:

113.2/ 1.43= 79.16, rounded to 79.2

Addition:

113.2+ 1.43= 114.63, rounded to 114.6

Subtraction:

113.2 1.43= 111.77, rounded to 111.8

The product and quotient above are limited to three significant digits because 1.43contains only three
significant digits. In contrast, the rounded answers in the addition and subtraction examples contain four
significant digits.
B.4.3 Exact values
Numbers used in the previous illustrations have all been estimates or measurements. Numbers that are
exact are treated as though they consist of an infinite number of additional significant digits. More simply
stated, when a count (an integer) is used in computation with a measurement, the number of significant
digits in the answer is the same as the number of significant digits in the measurement. If a count of 40is
multiplied by a measurement of 10.2, the product is 408. However, if 40were an estimate accurate only to
the nearest 10, and hence contained but one significant digit, the product would be 400.

B.5 Accuracy and rounding

Reliable conversions are obtained by multiplying the numerical value by the appropriate conversion factor
given in Annex A. However, this product will usually imply an accuracy not warranted by the original
value. Proper conversion procedure includes rounding this converted value to the number of significant
digits commensurate with its accuracy before conversion.

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The practical aspect of measuring must be considered when using SI equivalents. If a scale with divisions
of 1/16in was suitable for making the original measurements, a metric scale with divisions of 1mm is
suitable for measuring in SI units. Similarly, a gage or caliper graduated in divisions of 0.02mm is
comparable to one graduated in divisions of 0.001in. Analogous situations exist in the measurement of
mass, force, and other quantities.
B.5.1 General conversion
This method depends on first establishing the intended precision or accuracy of the quantity as a necessary
guide to the number of digits to retain. This precision should relate to the number of digits in the original,
but in many cases, this is not a reliable indicator. On the one hand, the number 1.1875may be the accurate
decimalization of 13/16, which could have been expressed as 1.19. On the other hand, the number 2may
mean about 2, or it may mean a very accurate value of 2, which should have been written 2.000.
Therefore, the intended precision of a value must be determined before converting. This estimate of
intended precision should never be smaller than the accuracy of measurement, but it should usually be
smaller than one tenth the tolerance, if one exists. After estimating the precision, the converted value
should be rounded to a minimum number of significant digits (see B.3) such that a unit of the last place is
equal to or smaller than the converted precision.
Examples:
a)

A stirring rod is 6in long. If the precision of the length of the rod is estimated to be about 1/2in
( 1/4in), the precision is 12.7mm. The converted value of 152.4mm should be rounded to the
nearest 10mm, which results in a length of 150mm, or 15cm.

b)

The test pressure is 200lbf/in2(psi) 15lbf/in2(psi). Because one tenth of the tolerance is
1.5lbf/in2(10.34kPa), the converted value should be rounded to the nearest 10kPa. Thus,
1378.9514kPa103.42135kPa becomes 1380kPa100kPa.

c)

A hunter sees a deer and estimates that it is 100yards away. Assuming that the hunter was
using his naked eyes and not a rangefinder, the conversion should be 100meters away.

B.5.2 Special cases

Round converted values to the minimum number of significant digits that will maintain the required
accuracy, as discussed in B.3. In certain cases, deviation from this practice to make use of convenient or
whole numbers may be feasible, in which case use the word approximate following the conversion. For
example:
17/8in

= 47.625mm exactly
= 47.6mm normal rounding
= 47.5mm (approximate) rounded to preferred number
= 48mm (approximate) rounded to whole number

State limits, such as not more than or maximum, so that the stated limit is not violated. For example, a
specimen at least 3in wide requires a width of at least 76.2mm, or if rounded to two significant digits,
77mm.

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B.5.3 Conversion and tolerances

For information on conversion of linear dimensions of interchangeable parts, see ISO 370:1975[B9] and
ASME B4.2-1978(R2009) [B1].
B.5.4 Temperature
Normally, convert temperatures expressed in a whole number of degrees Fahrenheit or degrees Rankine to
the nearest 0.5K (or degree Celsius). As with other quantities, the number of significant digits to retain will
depend upon the implied accuracy of the original value.

B.6 Rounding values

When rounding to fewer digits than the total number available, proceed as follows:
a)

If the first digit discarded is less than 5, do not change the last digit retained. For example,
3.46325, if rounded to four digits, would be 3.463; if rounded to three digits, it would be 3.46.

b)

If the first digit discarded is greater than 5, or if it is a 5followed by at least one digit other than
0, increase the last digit retained by one unit. For example 8.37652, if rounded to four digits,
would be 8.377; if rounded to three digits, 8.38.

c)

If the first digit discarded is exactly 5, followed only by zeros, round the last digit retained
upward if it is an odd number, but make no adjustment if it is an even number. For example,
4.365, when rounded to three digits, becomes 4.36. The number 4.355would also round to the
same value, 4.36, if rounded to three digits.

B.7 Conversion versus substitution

Transitioning from traditional inch-pound units to SI requires changing quantity values from one system to
another. This can be done by direct conversion, using the factors and rules of this annex to determine an
appropriate equivalent value with an SI unit.
Another transition method uses substitution. In substitution, a new rational metric size is used for the value
of the measurement for the item being converted. While conversion maintains the original standard value
(rounded appropriately for accuracy and precision as defined in this annex), substitution defines a new
standard value for the measurement. Substitution should not be confused with rounding. Some examples
are stated in Table B.1.
Table B.1Examples of conversion versus substitutiona
Item
Road Lane Width
Pipe
Baking Temperature
Plywood
Studs 24

Old value
12ft
12in
450F
4ft 8ft
1-1/2in 3-1/2in
1gallon (U.S.)
1gallon (Imp.)
100yd

Gasoline (sales unit)

Foot race
a

Conversion
3.66m
305mm
232.2C
1219mm 2438mm
38mm 89mm
3.79L
4.55L
91.44m

Common method is shown in bold.

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Substitution
3.6m
300mm
230C
1200mm 2400mm
40mm 90mm
1L
100m

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Whereas conversion will generally accommodate full compatibility between existing and new items,
substitution may require modification or transitions for compatibility to occur. For example, connecting a
new standard 50mm copper pipe to an existing 50.8mm (2) pipe might be problematic or require an
adaptor, but mounting a sign 1.2m above the ground, when the old standard was 4ft (1.22m), would be of
no concern. Conversion should be used when items must fit together and not all the standards have been
changed, but substitution should be used when the entire item can be specified in a new rational manner.
Designers should be aware of legal standards for items and values that are being substituted (vs. converted)
so the new substituted size does not violate an existing legal standard. For example, the minimum width for
an accessible route defined in the Americans with Disabilities Federal Standards for Accessible Design is
36in, which converts to 915mm. Even though it may be logical to specify a sidewalk 900mm in width,
this would violate the standard.
The terms conversion and substitution should be used to clarify between a direct conversion of a
measurement and the choice of a new rational size for an object or value. The older terms hard conversion
and soft conversion should not be used.

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Annex C
(informative)
Comments concerning the application of the International System
of Units (SI)

C.1 Advantages of SI
SI is a rationalized selection of units from the metric systems developed before 1960, which individually
are not new. SI is a coherent system with seven base units for which names, symbols, and precise
definitions have been established.
C.1.1 Unique unit for every physical quantity
A great advantage of SI is that there is one and only one coherent SI unit for each physical quantity. From
the seven SI base units, units for all other physical quantities are derived. SI derived units are defined using
quantity equations such as F = ma for force, W = Fl for work, and P = W/t for power. Some derived units
have only their composite names, such as meter per second for velocity. Others have special names such as
newton (N), joule (J), and watt (W) given to the SI units of force, energy, and power, respectively (see
Table 3). The same units are used regardless of whether the underlying physical process is mechanical,
electrical, chemical, thermal, or nuclear. Thus, the power of an internal combustion engine is expressed in
watts, as are the rate of heat energy transfer of an air conditioner and the electrical power consumed by a
light bulb.
Corresponding to the advantages of SI that result from the use of a unique unit for each physical quantity
are the advantages that result from the use of a unique and well-defined set of symbols. Such symbols
eliminate the confusion that can arise from current practices in different disciplines such as the use of b
for both the bar (a unit of pressure) and barn (a unit of nuclear cross section).
C.1.2 Decimal relationships among SI units
Another advantage of SI is the decimal relation between multiples and submultiples of the unit for each
physical quantity. Prefixes are established for designating multiple and submultiple units from yotta
(1024) down to yocto (1024) for convenience in writing and speaking.
C.1.3 Coherence of SI units
Another major advantage of SI is its coherence. Units might be chosen arbitrarily, but making an
independent choice of a unit for each category of mutually comparable quantities would lead in general to
the appearance of several additional numerical factors in the equations between the numerical values. It is
possible, however, and in practice more convenient, to choose a system of units in such a way that the
equations between numerical values, including the numerical factors, have exactly the same form as the
corresponding equations between the quantities. A unit system defined in this way is called coherent with
respect to the system of quantities and equations in question. Equations between units of a coherent unit
system contain as numerical factors only the number 1.

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C.2 Note concerning the liter

In 1795, the liter was intended to be identical with the cubic decimeter. The Third General Conference on
Weights and Measures, meeting in 1901, decided to define the liter as the volume occupied by the mass of
one kilogram of pure water at its maximum density under normal atmospheric pressure. Careful
determinations in 1960established the liter so defined as being equivalent to 1.000028dm3. In 1964, the
General Conference on Weights and Measures withdrew this definition of the liter and declared that the
word liter may be employed as a special name for the cubic decimeter. Thus, its use is permitted with SI,
but because its use in precision measurements might conflict with measurements recorded under the old
definition, SI units are preferred in certain technical work or if coherent units are required.

C.3 Definitions of SI base units

The SI Brochures authoritative translations of the French definitions of the seven base units of the
International System of Units are given as follows:
C.3.1 meter: The meter is the length of the path traveled by light in vacuum during a time interval of
1/299792458of a second. (Adopted by the 17th CGPM in 1983.)
C.3.2 kilogram: The kilogram is the unit of mass; it is equal to the mass of the international prototype of
the kilogram. (Adopted by the 1st and 3rd CGPMs in 1889and 1901.)
C.3.3 second: The second is the duration of 9192631770periods of the radiation corresponding to the
transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the cesium-133atom. (Adopted by the
13th CGPM in 1967.)
C.3.4 ampere: The ampere is that constant current that, if maintained in two straight parallel conductors of
infinite length, of negligible circular cross section, and placed one meter apart in vacuum, would produce
between these conductors a force equal to 2 107newton per meter of length. (Adopted by the 9th CGPM
in 1948.)
C.3.5 kelvin: The kelvin, unit of thermodynamic temperature, is the fraction 1/273.16of the
thermodynamic temperature of the triple point of water. (Adopted by the 13th CGPM in 1967.)
NOTEIt follows from this definition that the temperature of the triple point of water is 273.16K (0.01C). The
freezing point of water at standard atmospheric pressure is approximately 0.01K below the triple point of water.

C.3.6 mole: The mole is the amount of substance of a system that contains as many elementary entities as
there are atoms in 0.012kilogram of carbon-12. (Adopted by the 14th CGPM in 1971.)
When the mole is used, the elementary entities must be specified and may be atoms, molecules, ions,
electrons, other particles, or specified groups of such particles.
C.3.7 candela: The candela is the luminous intensity, in a given direction, of a source that emits
monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 1012hertz and that has a radiant intensity in that direction of
1/683watt per steradian. (Adopted by the 16th CGPM in 1979.)

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C.4 Definitions of SI derived units with special names

There is no limit to the number of quantities in science and, thus, no limit to the number of derived units.
For the sake of convenience, certain derived units have been given special names and special symbols.
Those 22units are listed in Table C.1.
Table C.1SI derived units with special names
Physical quantity
(1) Absorbed dose

Derived unit and definition

The gray is the absorbed dose when the energy per unit mass imparted to matter
by ionizing radiation is one joule per kilogram
NOTEThe gray is also used for the ionizing radiation quantities: specific
energy imparted, kerma, and absorbed dose index, which have the SI unit joule
per kilogram.

(2) Activity

The becquerel is the activity of a radionuclide decaying at the rate of one

spontaneous nuclear transition per second.

(3) Angle, plane

The radian is the plane angle between two radii of a circle that cut off on the
circumference an arc equal in length to the radius.

(4) Angle, solid

The steradian is the solid angle that, having its vertex in the center of a sphere,
cuts off an area of the surface of the sphere equal to that of a square with sides of
length equal to the radius of the sphere.

(5) Celsius temperature

The degree Celsius is equal to the kelvin and is used in place of the kelvin for
expressing Celsius temperature (symbol t) defined by the equation t = T To,
where T is the thermodynamic temperature and To = 273.15K, by definition.

(6) Dose equivalent

The sievert is the dose equivalent when the absorbed dose of ionizing radiation
multiplied by the dimensionless factors Q (quality factor) and N (product of any
other multiplying factors), stipulated by the International Commission on
Radiological Protection, is one joule per kilogram.

(7) Electric capacitance

The farad is the capacitance of a capacitor between the plates of which there
appears a difference of potential of one volt when it is charged by a quantity of
electricity equal to one coulomb.

(8) Electric charge

Electric charge is the time integral of electric current; its unit, the coulomb, is
equal to the electric charge carried in one second by a current of one ampere.

(9) Electric conductance

The siemens is the electric conductance of a conductor in which a current of one

ampere is produced by an electric potential difference of one volt.

(10) Electric inductance

The henry is the inductance of a closed circuit in which an electromotive force of

one volt is produced when the electric current in the circuit varies uniformly at a
rate of one ampere per second.

(11) Electric potential

difference,
electromotive force

The volt (unit of electric potential difference and electromotive force) is the
difference of electric potential between two points of a conductor carrying a
constant current of one ampere, when the power dissipated between these points
is equal to one watt.

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Physical quantity

Derived unit and definition

(12) Electric resistance

The ohm is the electric resistance between two points of a conductor when a
constant difference of potential of one volt, applied between these two points,
produces in this conductor a current of one ampere, this conductor not being the
source of any electromotive force.

(13) Energy

The joule is the work done when the point of application of a force of one
newton is displaced a distance of one meter in the direction of the force.

(14) Force

The newton is that force that, when applied to a body with a mass of one
kilogram, results in an acceleration of one meter per second squared.

(15) Frequency

The hertz is the frequency of a periodic phenomenon of which the period is one
second.

(16) Illuminance

The lux is the illuminance produced by a luminous flux of one lumen uniformly
distributed over a surface of one square meter.

(17) Catalytic activity

The katal is a rate of catalytic activity of one mole per second.

(18) Luminous flux

The lumen is the luminous flux emitted in a solid angle of one steradian by a
point source having a uniform intensity of one candela.

(19) Magnetic flux

The weber is the magnetic flux that, linking a circuit of one turn, produces in it
an electromotive force of one volt as the flux is reduced to zero at a uniform rate
in one second.

(20) Magnetic flux density

The tesla is the magnetic flux density of one weber per square meter. The
magnetic flux density is defined as an axial vector quantity such that the force
exerted on an element of current is equal to the vector product of this element
and the magnetic flux density. Thus, the tesla is also the magnetic flux density
that produces a force of one newton on a one-meter length of wire carrying a
current of one ampere, oriented normally to the flux density.

(21) Power

The watt is the power that represents a rate of energy transfer of one joule per
second.

(22) Pressure or stress

The pascal is the pressure or stress of one newton per square meter.

SI derived units are only uniquely defined in terms of the base units [e.g., 1 = 1m2kg/(s3A2)]. Thus,
in some cases, the definition for a particular derived unit given here is just one of several possible
definitions.

C.5 Comment on spelling

This standard uses the spellings meter, liter, and deka. The alternative spellings metre, litre, and
deca may also be used. Both sets of spellings are widely used internationally. It should be noted that the
SI Brochure standardizes the symbols for the SI units and prefixes but allows language-dependent
flexibility in the spelling of the names.

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C.6 Comments on mass, force, and weight

C.6.1 Distinction between units for mass and force
The names of mass units such as kilogram, pound, and ounce have often been erroneously used for units of
force. This has led to serious confusion. In SI, this confusion is eliminated because the unit of mass is the
kilogram, and the unit of force is the newton. The kilogram-force (from which the suffix force in practice
has often been erroneously dropped) is not to be used (see Table 8).
C.6.2 Weight
The weight of a body in a particular reference frame is defined as the force that provides the body an
acceleration equal to the local acceleration of free fall in that reference frame. Thus, the SI unit of weight is
the newton (N). In commercial and everyday use, and frequently in engineering, the term weight is used
as a synonym for mass, for which the SI unit is the kilogram. The verb to weigh means to determine the
mass of or to have a mass of. Nevertheless, in scientific and technical practice, the term weight should
not be used to mean mass.
C.6.3 Load
The term load can mean mass, force, or pressure, depending on its use. A load arising from a vertical
downward force because of the influence of gravitational force acting on a mass may be expressed in mass
units (e.g., kilograms) but may also be expressed in terms of mass per unit area, or mass per unit length
for example the floor loading in a building in kilograms or kilograms per square meter. Load may also be
expressed in terms of force or force per unit area. A wind load may be best expressed as a force per unit
length (N/m) or a force per unit area (i.e., a pressure, Pa).
C.6.4 Capacity rating
The capacity rating of a crane, a truck, a bridge, etc., is intended to define the mass that can be supported
safely. Such a rating is expressed in a mass unit rather than a force unit, thus in kilograms or metric tons, as
appropriate, rather than newtons.

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Annex D
(informative)
Development of the International System of Units (SI)

D.1 History
The decimal system of units was conceived in the 16th century, when there was a great confusion and a
jumble of units of weights and measures. It was not until 1790, however, that the French National
Assembly requested that the French Academy of Sciences work out a system of units suitable for adoption
by the entire world. This system was based on the meter as a unit of length. The mass of a cubic centimeter
of water, the gram, was adopted as a practical measure to benefit industry and commerce. Physicists soon
realized the systems advantages, and it was adopted also in scientific and technical circles. The importance
of the regulation of weights and measures was recognized in Article 1, Section 8, when the United States
Constitution was written in 1787. The metric system was legalized in this country in 1866. In 1893, the
international meter and kilogram became the fundamental standards of length and mass in the United
States, both for metric and customary weights and measures.
Meanwhile, international standardization began with an 1870meeting of 17nations in Paris that led to the
20May 1875Convention du Mtre and the establishment of a permanent International Bureau of Weights
and Measures near Paris. A General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) was also constituted to
handle all international matters concerning the metric system. The CGPM meets at least every 6years in
Paris and controls the International Bureau of Weights and Measures, which in turn preserves the metric
standards, compares national standards with them, and conducts research to establish new standards. The
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) represents the United States in these activities.
The metric system of 1875provided a set of units for the measurement of length, area, volume, capacity,
and mass. Measurement of additional quantities required for science and commerce has necessitated
development of additional fundamental and derived units. Numerous other systems based on the meter and
gram have been used. A unit of time was added to produce the centimeter-gram-second (CGS) system,
adopted in 1881by the International Electrical Congress. About the year 1900, practical measurements in
metric units began to be based on the meter-kilogram-second (MKS) system. In 1935, the IEC acted
favorably on a proposal originally made by Professor Giovanni Giorgi in 1901and recommended that the
MKS system of mechanics be linked with the electromagnetic system of units by adoption of one of the
unitsampere, coulomb, ohm, or voltfor a fourth base unit. Subsequently the ampere, the unit of electric
current, was selected as a base unit, thus defining the MKSA system.
The 10th CGPM in 1954adopted a rationalized and coherent system of units based on the four MKSA
units, plus the degree Kelvin as the unit of temperature and the candela as the unit of luminous intensity.
The 11th CGPM in 1960formally gave it the full title, International System of Units, for which the
abbreviation is SI in all languages. Thirty-six countries, including the United States, participated in this
conference. The 12th CGPM in 1964made some refinements, and the 13th CGPM in 1967redefined the
second, renamed the unit of temperature as the kelvin (K), and revised the definition of the candela. The
14th CGPM in 1971added a seventh base unit, the mole, and approved the pascal (Pa) as a special name
for the SI unit of pressure or stress, the newton per square meter, and the siemens (S) as a special name for
the unit of electric conductance, the reciprocal ohm or ampere per volt.
The 15th CGPM in 1975added prefixes for 1018and 1015, exa (E) and peta (P) respectively, and approved
two special names: the gray (Gy) as a special name for the SI unit of absorbed dose, the joule per kilogram;
and the becquerel (Bq) as a special name for the SI unit of activity of a radionuclide, one per second.

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Because of the experimental difficulties in realizing a Planck radiator at high temperatures and the new
possibilities offered by radiometry (i.e., the measurement of optical radiation power), the 16th CGPM in
1979adopted a new definition of the SI base unit candela. It also adopted the special name sievert (Sv) for
the SI unit of dose equivalent in the field of radioprotection. In order to increase the precision of realization
of the SI base unit meter, the definition based upon the wavelength of a krypton-86radiation was replaced
by one based on the speed of light by the 17th CGPM in 1983. The 19th CGPM in 1991added the prefixes
zetta (Z) for 1021, zepto (z) for 1021, yotta (Y) for 1024, and yocto (y) for 1024.
When SI was established by the 11th CGPM in 1960, it had three classes of units: base units, derived units,
and supplementary units. The class of supplementary units contained two units: the radian (rad) for plane
angle and the steradian (sr) for solid angle. However, at the time of the introduction of the International
System, the 11th CGPM left open the question of the nature of these supplementary units. Considering that
plane angle is generally expressed as the ratio between two lengths and solid angle as the ratio between an
area and the square of a length, in 1980the CIPM (the International Committee for Weights and Measures
of the CGPM) specified that in the International System the supplementary units radian and steradian are
dimensionless derived units that may be used or omitted in expressing the values of physical quantities.
This implies that the quantities plane angle and solid angle are considered dimensionless derived quantities.
Because of this interpretation, the 20th CGPM in 1995eliminated supplementary units as a separate class in
SI. Since then, SI consists of only two classes of units: base units and derived units, with the radian and
steradian classified as derived units. The option of using them or not using them in expressions for other SI
derived units, as is convenient, remains unchanged.

D.2 The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM)

The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM, Bureau International des Poids et Mesures) has
its headquarters near Paris, in the grounds of the Pavillon de Breteuil (Parc de Saint-Cloud), placed at its
disposal by the French Government; its upkeep is financed jointly by the member nations of the
Convention du Mtre. As of September 2009, 53states were members of the Convention.3
The task of BIPM is to ensure worldwide unification of physical measurements; it is responsible for the
following:

Establishing the fundamental standards and scales for measurement of the principal physical
quantities and maintaining the international prototypes

Carrying out comparisons of national and international standards

Ensuring the coordination of corresponding measuring techniques

Carrying out and coordinating the determinations relating to the fundamental physical constants
that are involved in the above-mentioned activities

The BIPM operates under the exclusive supervision of the International Committee for Weights and
Measures (CIPM, Comit International des Poids et Mesures), which itself comes under the authority of the
General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM, Confrence Gnrale des Poids et Mesures).

See http://www.bipm.org/en/convention/member_states/.

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The General Conference consists of delegates from all the member nations of the Convention du M tre
and meets at present every four years. At each meeting, it receives the Report of the International
Committee on the work accomplished, and it is responsible for the following:

Discussing and instigating the arrangements required to ensure the propagation and
improvement of the International System of Units (SI, Systme International dUnits), which is
the modern form of the metric system

Confirming the results of new fundamental metrological determinations and the various
scientific resolutions of international scope

Adopting the important decisions concerning the organization and development of the BIPM

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Annex E
(informative)
Bibliography
[B1] ASME B4.2-1978(R2009), Preferred Metric Limits and Fits.4
[B2] ASTM E 29-93a:1999, Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with
Specifications.5
[B3] BIPM Le Systme International dUnits (SI), 8th edition, 2006. (This publication is in two parts:
the official French text followed by an English-language translation.)6
[B4] IEC Publication 27-1:1992(corrected and reprinted 1995-03-31), Letter symbols to be used in
electrical technologyPart 1: General.7
[B5] IEC Publication 60027-2:2005, Letter symbols to be used in electrical technology
Part 2: Telecommunications and electronics, 3rd edition.
[B6] IEC Publication 27-3:2002, Letter symbols to be used in electrical technologyPart 3: Logarithmic
quantities and units, 3rd edition.
[B7] IEC Publication 27-4:2006, Letter symbols to be used in electrical technologyPart 4: Rotating
electric machines, 2nd edition.
[B8] IEEE Std 260.1-2004TM, IEEE Standard Letter Symbols for Units of Measurement (SI Units,
Customary Inch-Pound Units, and Certain Other Units).8,9
[B9] ISO 370:1975, Toleranced DimensionsConversion from Inches into Millimetres and Vice Versa
(withdrawn).
[B10] ISO 80000-1:2009, Quantities and unitsPart 1: General.10
[B11] ISO 80000-2:2009, Quantities and unitsPart 2: Mathematical signs and symbols to be used in the
natural sciences and technology.
[B12] ISO 80000-3:2006, Quantities and unitsPart 3: Space and time.
[B13] ISO 80000-4:2006, Quantities and unitsPart 4: Mechanics.
[B14] ISO 80000-5:2007, Quantities and unitsPart 5: Thermodynamics.
[B15] IEC 80000-6:2008, Quantities and unitsPart 6: Electromagnetism.
[B16] ISO 80000-7:2008, Quantities and unitsPart 7: Light.
4

ASME publications are available from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 3Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5990,
USA (http://www.asme.org/).
5
ASTM publications are available from the American Society for Testing and Materials, 100Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken,
PA 19428-2959, USA (http://www.astm.org/).
6
BIPM publications are available from Bureau International des Poids et Mesures, Pavillon de Breteuil, F-92312, Svres cedex, France
(http://www.bipm.org/).
7
IEC publications are available from the Sales Department of the International Electrotechnical Commission, Case Postale 131, 3rue
de Varemb, CH-1211, Genve 20, Switzerland/Suisse (http://www.iec.ch/). IEC publications are also available in the United States
from the Sales Department, American National Standards Institute, 11West 42nd Street, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10036, USA.
8
The IEEE standards referred to in Annex E are trademarks of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
9
IEEE publications are available from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 445Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854,
USA (http://standards.ieee.org/).
10
ISO publications are available from the ISO Central Secretariat, Case Postale 56, 1rue de Varemb, CH-1211, Genve 20,
Switzerland/ Suisse (http://www.iso.ch/). ISO publications are also available in the United States from the Sales Department,
American National Standards Institute, 25West 43rd Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, USA (http://www.ansi.org/).

58
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[B17] ISO 80000-8:2007, Quantities and unitsPart 8: Acoustics.

[B18] ISO 80000-9:2009, Quantities and unitsPart 9: Physical chemistry and molecular physics.
[B19] ISO 80000-10:2009, Quantities and unitsPart 10: Atomic and nuclear physics.
[B20] ISO 80000-11:2008, Quantities and unitsPart 11: Characteristic numbers.
[B21] ISO 80000-12:2009, Quantities and unitsPart 12: Solid state physics.
[B22] NIST Special Publication 330, 2008Edition, The International System of Units (SI).11
[B23] NIST Special Publication 811, 2008Edition, Guide for the Use of the International System of Units
(SI).
[B24] NIST Special Publication 814, 1998Edition, Interpretation of SI for the United States and Federal
Government Metric Conversion Policy.
[B25] NIST Technical Note 1265, Guidelines for Realizing the International Temperature Scale of
1990(ITS-90).
[B26] Mohr, P. J., Taylor, B. N., and Newell, D. B., CODATA Recommended Values of the Fundamental
Physical Constants, Journal of Physical and Chemical Reference Data, vol. 37, pp. 11871284, 2008and
Reviews of Modern Physics, vol. 80, pp. 633730, 2008.
[B27] Page, C. H., The Mathematical Representation of Physical Entities, IEEE Transactions on
Education, vol. 10, pp. 7074, 1967.

11

NIST publications are available from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST Public Inquiries, NIST, 100Bureau
Drive, Stop 3460, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-3460, USA (http://www.nist.gov).

59
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Index
Table A.1 lists many non-SI units in alphabetic order. For information on conversion of non-SI units to SI,
that table should be consulted. This index does not contain entries from Table 2, Table 4, Table 8, and
Table A.1 to Table A.7.

Symbol index
, symbol for minute (angle), 9
, symbol for second (angle), 9
, symbol for degree (of angle), 9
A, symbol for ampere, 2
a, symbol for atto, 7
a, symbol for year, 9
Bq, symbol for becquerel, 4
c, symbol for centi, 6
C, symbol for coulomb, 4
cd, symbol for candela, 2
d, symbol for day, 9
d, symbol for deci, 6
da, symbol for deka, 6
E, symbol for exa, 6
eV, symbol for electronvolt, 9
F, symbol for farad, 4
f, symbol for femto, 7
G, symbol for giga, 6
Gy, symbol for gray, 4
h, symbol for hecto, 6
H, symbol for henry, 4
h, symbol for hour, 9
ha, symbol for hectare, 9
Hz, symbol for hertz, 4
J, symbol for joule, 4
K, symbol for kelvin, 2
k, symbol for kilo, 6
kat, symbol for katal, 4
kg, symbol for kilogram, 2
kn, symbol for knot, 9
L, symbol for liter, 9
lm, symbol for lumen, 4
lx, symbol for lux, 4
M, symbol for mega, 6

m, symbol for meter, 2

m, symbol for milli, 7
min, symbol for minute, 9
mo, symbol for month, 9
mol, symbol for mole, 2
n, symbol for nano, 7
N, symbol for newton, 4
nmi, symbol for nautical mile, 9
P, symbol for peta, 6
p, symbol for pico, 7
Pa, symbol for pascal, 4
r, symbol for revolution, 9
rad, symbol for radian, 4
s, symbol for second, 2
S, symbol for siemens, 4
sr, symbol for steradian, 4
Sv, symbol for sievert, 4
t, symbol for metric ton, 9
T, symbol for tera, 6
T, symbol for tesla, 4
u, symbol for unified atomic mass, 9
V, symbol for volt, 4
W, symbol for watt, 4
Wb, symbol for weber, 4
y, symbol for yocto, 7
Y, symbol for yotta, 6
z, symbol for zepto, 7
Z, symbol for zetta, 6
, symbol for micro, 7
, symbol for ohm, 4
, symbol for mass, 13
, symbol for volume, 13

60
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Subject index
definition, 52
SI derived unit, 4
bending moment, 14
bibliography, 58
billion, 16, 19
binary multiples, 8
biot, 11
BIPM SI Brochure, viii
BIPM, International Bureau of Weights and
Measures, vi, 56
British thermal unit, 23
bushel, 23

A
abampere, 11
absorbed dose, 4, 52
absorbed dose rate, 5
acceleration
angular, 5
of free fall, 54
SI derived unit, 3
accuracy, 44
activity, 4, 52
addition and subtraction, significant digits in, 46
advantages of SI, 50
ambient
dose equivalent, 4
pressure, 15
American National Standards Institute, viii
amount of substance, 2
ampere
SI base unit, 2
angle
non-SI units of, 9
plane, 52
SI unit of, 14
solid, 4, 52
ngstrm, vi, 12
angular
acceleration, 5
momentum, 14
velocity, 5, 14
application of SI prefixes, 7
are (non-SI unit of area), 12
area
appropriate prefixes for, 8
non-SI unit of, 9
SI unit of, 3, 10
atmosphere
standard, 22
technical, 22
atomic mass unit, 9
attachments to unit symbols, 18
atto, SI prefix, 7
automotive fuel efficiency, 36

C
calendar unit, 10
Calorie (nutrition), 12
calorie (physics), 12
candela (definition), 51
candle, 12
candlepower, 12
capacitance, electric, 4, 52
capacity rating, 54
carat, metric, 12
catalytic activity, 4, 53
Celsius (degree), 13
Celsius temperature, 52
centi, SI prefix, 6
centigrade, 13
centimeter-gram-second units, 11
centimeters, used in clothing sizes, 8
CGPM (General Conference on Weights and
Measures), 3, 55
charge density, electric, 5
charge, electric, 52
clothing sizes, centimeters used in, 8
coherence of SI units, 50
comma as decimal marker, 19
compound prefixes, 8
concentration (of amount of substance), 3
conductance, electric, 4, 52
conductivity, thermal, 6
Convention du Mtre (1875), 55
conversion and rounding, rules for, 44
conversion factors, 20
coulomb
definition, 52
SI derived unit, 4
cubic decimeter, 51
current density, 3

B
bar, 12
barn, 12
base quantities, 2
base units
definitions, 51
tabulated, 2
becquerel

D
darcy, 25
61
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day, 9
deca (alternative spelling for deka), 53
deci, SI prefix, 6
decimal marker, 19
degree (of angle)
unit in use with SI, 9, 10
degree Celsius
definition, 52
widely used non-SI unit, 13
deka, SI prefix, 6
density, 3
derived units
as a component of SI, 1
examples, tabulated, 3
with special names and symbols, 3
deviation, 44
digit, significant, 44
dimension, 44
dimensionless numbers, 16
directional dose equivalent, 4
dose equivalent, 4, 52
dose rate, absorbed, 5
dynamic viscosity, 6
dyne, 12

SI derived unit, 4
femto, SI prefix, 7
fermi, 12
field strength, electric, 5
flux
luminous, 4
magnetic, 4
radiant, 4
flux density
electric, 5
heat, 5
magnetic, 53
flux, luminous, 53
flux, magnetic, 53
foot, U.S. survey, 26
force
definition of unit, 53
derived quantity, 4
force and mass, distinction between, 54
franklin, 11
French Academy of Sciences, 55
frequency, 53
frequency (of a periodic phenomenon), 4
friction factor, 16
fuel consumption, 36
fuel efficiency, consumption, 36

E
electric
capacitance, 52
charge density, 5
charge, quantity of electricity, 4, 52
conductance, 4, 52
current, 2, 52
field strength, 5
flux density, 5
inductance, 52
potential difference, 4, 52
resistance, 4
electromagnetic units, 11
electromotive force, 4
electronvolt, 9
electrostatic units, 11
energy, 53
density, 5
molar, 5
specific, 5
units of, 14, 15
engineering drawings, millimeters used in, 19
entropy, 5
equivalent dose, 52
erg, 11, 12
exa, SI prefix, 6
exposure (X and gamma rays), 5

G
G, g (as a unit), 12
gage pressure, 15
gal, 11, 12
gamma, 12
gauss, 27, See
General Conference on Weights and Measures, 3
gibi, prefix for binary multiple, 8
giga, SI prefix, 6
gilbert, 11
gon, 12
grad, 12
grade, 12
gram, 10
gray
definition, 52
SI derived unit, 4

H
heat capacity
molar, 5
specific, 5
heat flux density, 5
hectare, 9, 10
hecto, 6
hectopascal, 30
henry
definition, 52
SI derived unit, 4

F
farad
definition, 52
62

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IEEE/ASTM SI10-2010
American National Standard for Metric Practice

hertz
definition, 53
plural form, 17
SI derived unit, 4
history of SI, 55
horsepower, metric, 12
hour, 9, 10

L
lambert, 11
langley, 12
Le Systme International dUnits, the SI
Brochure, vi
length, 2
liter, 10, 53
litre (alternative spelling for liter), 53
load (mass, force, or pressure), 54
lumen
definition, 53
SI derived unit, 4
luminance, 3
luminous
flux, 4
intensity, 2, 51
luminous flux, 53
lux
definition, 53
plural form, 17
SI derived unit, 4

I
IEC (International Electrotechnical
Commission), 8
IEEE/ASTM Committee for Maintaining
IEEE/ASTM SI10, viii
illuminance, 4, 53
impact
energy absorption, 15
resistance, 15
strength, 15
inch-pound units, 44
inductance, electric, 4, 52
integers (exact numbers), 46
intensity
luminous, 51
radiant, 5
International Bureau of Weights and Measures
(BIPM), 55, 56
International Electrotechnical Commission
(IEC), 8, 55
International Temperature Scale, 13
irradiance, 5

M
magnetic
field strength, 3
flux, 4
flux density, 4
permeability, 5
magnetic flux, 53
magnetic flux density, 53
mass
definition of unit, 51
kilogram is preferred unit, 10
SI base unit, 2
SI unit (kilogram) already contains prefix, 6
mass and force, distinction between, 54
mass density, 3
maxwell, 11, 12
mebi, prefix for binary multiple, 8
mega, SI prefix, 6
megawatts electrical (power), 18
meter (definition), 56
meter of water, 11, 12
metre (alternative spelling for meter), 53
metric
carat, 12
horsepower, 12
system, 1, 7
system legalized in U.S. (1866), 55
ton, 9
Metric Conversion Act (1988), vi
mho, 13
micro, SI prefix, 7
micron, 11, 12
mil, 24

J
joule
definition, 53
not to be used for torque, 14
SI derived unit, 4

K
katal
definition, 53
SI derived unit, 4
kelvin
definition, 52
SI base unit, 2
kerma, 4
kibi, prefix for binary multiple, 8
kilo, SI prefix, 6
kilocalorie, 13
kilogram, 51
definition, 51
SI base unit, 2
kilogram-force, 11
kilowatthour, 15
kinematic viscosity, 6

63
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IEEE/ASTM SI10-2010
American National Standard for Metric Practice

milli, SI prefix, 7
millibar, 30
millimeter of mercury, 11, 12
millimeters, in engineering drawings, 8
millimicron, 13
minute (angle), 9
minute (time), 9
mixtures of symbols and unit names, prohibited,
18
molar
energy, 5
entropy, 5
heat capacity, 5
mole (definition), 51
moment of force, 5, 14
moment of inertia, 14
multiplication and division, units formed by, 17

plural
of symbols, 16
of unit names, 17
poise, 11, 13
potential difference (electric), 4, 52
pounds per square inch, 18
power
SI derived quantity, 4
watt, the coherent SI unit of, 15
power density, 5
powers of units, 8
powers-of-ten notation, 7
precision, 44
prefixes
compound, 8
defined as powers of two, 8
for binary multiples, 8
SI, 6
pressure, 4, 11, 13, 47
absolute, 15
gage, 15
pure numbers, quantities expressed as, 16

N
nano, SI prefix, 7
National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST), 55
newton
definition, 53
SI derived unit, 4
nominal dimensions, 14
nominal value, 44
non-SI units in use with SI, 10
nonsignificant digits, 7
numbers
decimal marker in, 19
grouping of digits, 19

Q
quantity
base, 1
of electricity (electric charge), 4
of heat, 4

R
radian
definition, 52
SI derived unit, 4, 10, 14
radiance, 5
radiant
flux, 4
intensity, 5
radioactivity, 4
refractive index, 16
relative
mass density, 16
permeability, 16
resistance, electric, 4, 53
revolution, 9
Roman numerals, 19
rotational
kinetic energy, 14
mechanics, 14
work, 14
rounding, 44

O
oersted, 11, 13
ohm
definition, 53
SI derived unit, 4
orders of magnitude, 7
organ equivalent dose, 4

P
pascal
definition, 53
SI derived unit, 11
percent symbol, 16
permeability (magnetic), 5
permittivity, 5
personal dose equivalent, 4
peta, SI prefix, 6
phot, 11, 13
pico, SI prefix, 7
plane angle, 52
non-SI unit of, 9
SI units of, 4, 10

S
second (angle), 9
second (time), 11
set of coherent SI units, the, 6

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SI

SI base unit, 2
tolerance, 44, 47
ton
long, 10
metric, 9, 29
short, 10
tonne, 10
torque, 14
torr, 11, 13
trillion, 16
triple point of water, 51
turn, 9

advantages of, 50
base units and symbols, 2, 3
derived units whose names include SI derived
units with special names, 5
derived units with special names and symbols,
4
development of, 55
prefixes, 7
siemens
definition, 52
plural form, 17
SI derived unit, 4
sievert
definition, 52
SI derived unit, 4
significant digit, 44
significant digits
after addition and subtraction, 46
after multiplication and division, 46
solid angle, 14, 52
specific
energy, 5
energy imparted (radiation), 4
entropy, 5
heat capacity, 5
volume, 3
speed, 3
standard gravitational field, 36
statvolt, 11
steradian
definition, 52
SI derived unit, 4
stere, 13
stilb, 11, 13
stokes, 11, 13
stress, 4, 11, 53
style and usage, 16
supplementary units, 56
surface tension, 6
survey foot (U.S.), 36

U
U.S.
Constitution, 1787, 55
Metric Law of 1866, 36
survey foot, 36
unified atomic mass unit, 9
unit
names formed by multiplication and division,
17
symbols formed by multiplication and
division, 18
symbols, attachments to, 18
units
and names not to be used, 11, 12
from other systems, 9
in use with SI, 9
on gage dials, table heads, graph labels, 19
powers of, 8
supplementary, 56

V
vacuum, 15
velocity
angular, 5
SI base quantity, 3
viscosity
dynamic, 6
kinematic, 6
volt
definition, 52
SI derived unit, 4
volume
appropriate prefixes for, 8
non-SI unit of, 13
SI unit of, 3
vowel, omission of final, in prefix, 17

T
temperature
Celsius, 52
Fahrenheit/Celsius conversion, 48
units for, 13
tera, SI prefix, 6
tesla
definition, 53
SI derived unit, 4
therm, 34
thermal conductivity, 6
thermodynamic temperature, 2, 13, 51
time
non-SI units of, 9, 10

W
watt
definition, 53
SI derived unit, 4, 15
wave number, 3

65
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American National Standard for Metric Practice

weber
definition, 53
SI derived unit, 4
weight, 54
work, 4
writing unit names, rules for, 17
writing unit symbols, rules for, 16

Y
yard, U.S., 36
yocto, SI prefix, 7
yotta, SI prefix, 6

Z
zepto, SI prefix, 7
zetta, SI prefix, 6

X
x unit, 13

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