Conversion of units

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(January 2011)
Conversion of units is the conversion between different units of measurement for the same quantity, typically through multiplicative
conversion factors.
Contents [hide]
1 Techniques
1.1 Process
1.2 Multiplication factors
1.3 Table ordering
2 Tables of conversion factors
2.1 Length
2.2 Area
2.3 Volume
2.4 Plane angle
2.5 Solid angle
2.6 Mass
2.7 Density
2.8 Time
2.9 Frequency
2.10 Speed or velocity
2.11 Flow (volume)
2.12 Acceleration
2.13 Force
2.14 Pressure or mechanical stress
2.15 Torque or moment of force
2.16 Energy
2.17 Power or heat flow rate
2.18 Action
2.19 Dynamic viscosity
2.20 Kinematic viscosity
2.21 Electric current
2.22 Electric charge
2.23 Electric dipole
2.24 Electromotive force, electric potential difference
2.25 Electrical resistance
2.26 Capacitance
2.27 Magnetic flux
2.28 Magnetic flux density
2.29 Inductance
2.30 Temperature
2.31 Information entropy
2.32 Luminous intensity
2.33 Luminance
2.34 Luminous flux
2.35 Illuminance
2.36 Radiation - source activity
2.37 Radiation - exposure
2.38 Radiation - absorbed dose
2.39 Radiation - equivalent dose
3 Software tools
3.1 General commercial sources of converters
4 In fiction
5 See also
6 Notes and references
7 External links
Techniques [edit]
Process [edit]
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converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
The process of conversion depends on the specific situation and the intended purpose. This may be governed by regulation, contract,
Technical specifications or other published standards. Engineering judgment may include such factors as:
The precision and accuracy of measurement and the associated uncertainty of measurement
The statistical confidence interval or tolerance interval of the initial measurement
The number of significant figures of the measurement
The intended use of the measurement including the engineering tolerances
Historical definitions of the units and their derivatives used in old measurements e.g. International Foot vs US Survey Foot
Some conversions from one system of units to another need to be exact, without increasing or decreasing the precision of the first
measurement. This is sometimes called soft conversion. It does not involve changing the physical configuration of the item being
measured.
By contrast, a hard conversion or an adaptive conversion may not be exactly equivalent. It changes the measurement to convenient and
workable numbers and units in the new system. It sometimes involves a slightly different configuration, or size substitution, of the item.
Nominal values are sometimes allowed and used.
Multiplication factors [edit]
Conversion between units in the metric system can be discerned by their prefixes (for example, 1 kilogram = 1000 grams, 1 milligram =
0.001 grams) and are thus not listed in this article. Exceptions are made if the unit is commonly known by another name (for example, 1
micron = 10
6
metre).
Table ordering [edit]
Within each table, the units are listed alphabetically, and the SI units (base or derived) are highlighted.
Tables of conversion factors [edit]
This article gives lists of conversion factors for each of a number of physical quantities, which are listed in the index. For each physical
quantity, a number of different units (some only of historical interest) are shown and expressed in terms of the corresponding SI unit.
Legend
Symbol Definition
exactly equal to
approximately equal to
digits indicates that digits repeat infinitely (e.g. 8.294369 corresponds to 8.294369369369369)
(H) of chiefly historical interest
Length [edit]
Length
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
ngstrm 110
10
m 0.1 nm
astronomical unit AU 149597870700 m Distance from Earth to Sun 149597870700 m
[1]
barleycorn (H) = in (see note above about rounding) 8.4610
3
m
bohr, atomic unit of
length
a
0
Bohr radius of hydrogen
5.291772085910
11

3.610
20
m
[2]
cable length (imperial) 608 ft 185.3184 m
cable length
(International)
1/10 nmi 185.2 m
cable length (US) 720 ft = 219.456 m
chain (Gunter's;
Surveyor's)
ch 66 ft(US) 4 rods
[3]
20.11684 m
cubit (H) Distance from fingers to elbow 18 in 0.5 m
ell (H) ell 45 in
[4]
(In England usually) = 1.143 m
fathom fm 6 ft
[4]
= 1.8288 m
fermi fm 110
15
m
[4]
110
15
m
finger 7/8 in = 0.022225 m
finger (cloth) 4 in = 0.1143 m
foot (Benot) (H) ft (Ben) 0.304799735 m
foot (Cape) (H) Legally defined as 1.033 English feet in 1859 0.314858 m
foot (Clarke's) (H) ft (Cla) 0.3047972654 m
foot (Indian) (H) ft Ind 0.304799514 m
foot (International) ft 0.3048 m 1/3 yd 12 inches 0.3048 m
foot (Sear's) (H) ft (Sear) 0.30479947 m
foot (US Survey) ft (US)
1200

3937
m
[5]
0.304800610 m
french; charriere F
1

3
mm = 0.3 10
3
m
furlong fur 10 chains = 660 ft = 220 yd
[4]
= 201.168 m
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
hand 4 in
[4]
0.1016 m
inch (International) in 2.54 cm 1/36 yd 1/12 ft .0254 m
league (land) lea
1 hour walk, Currently defined in US as 3 Statute miles,
[3]
but
historically varied from 2 to 9 km
4828 m
light-day 24 light-hours 2.5902068371210
13
m
light-hour 60 light-minutes 1.079252848810
12
m
light-minute 60 light-seconds 1.79875474810
10
m
light-second Distance light travels in one second in vacuum 299792458 m
light-year ly Distance light travels in vacuum in 365.25 days
[6]
= 9.460730472580810
15
m
line ln 1/12 in
[7]
= 0.002116 m
link (Gunter's;
Surveyor's)
lnk 1/100 ch
[4]
0.66 ft 7.92in = 0.201168 m
link (Ramsden's;
Engineer's)
lnk 1 ft
[4]
= 0.3048 m
metre (SI base unit)
(meter)
m
Distance light travels in
1

299792458
of a second in vacuum.
[8]

1

10000000
of the distance from equator to pole.
1 m
mickey
1

200
in = 1.2710
4
m
micron 110
6
m
mil; thou mil 110
3
in 2.5410
5
m
mil (Sweden and
Norway)
mil 10 km = 10000 m
mile (geographical)
(H)
6082 ft = 1853.7936 m
mile (international) mi 80 chains 5280 ft 1760 yd 1609.344 m
mile (tactical or data) 6000 ft 1828.8 m
mile (telegraph) (H) mi 6087 ft = 1855.3176 m
mile (US Survey) mi 5280 US Survey feet (5280
1200

3937
) m 1609.347219 m
nail (cloth) 2 in
[4]
= 0.057 15 m
nanometer nm 110
9
m 110
9
m
nautical league NL; nl 3 nmi
[4]
= 5556 m
nautical mile
(Admiralty)
NM (Adm);
nmi (Adm)
= 6080 ft = 1853.184 m
nautical mile
(international)
NM; nmi 1852 m
[9]
1852 m
nautical mile (US pre
1954)
1853.248 m 1853.248 m
pace 2.5 ft
[4]
= 0.762 m
palm 3 in
[4]
= 0.0762 m
parsec pc
Distance of star with parallax shift of one arc second from a base
of one astronomical unit
3.085 677 8210
16

610
6
m
[10]
pica 12 points
Dependent on point
measures.
point (American,
English)
[11][12]
pt 1/72.272 in 0.000 351 450 m
point (Didot;
European)
[12][13]
pt
1/12 1/72 of pied du roi;
After 1878:
5/133 cm
0.000 375 97 m;
After 1878:
0.000 375 939 85 m
point (PostScript)
[11]
pt 1/72 in = 0.000 352 7 m
point (TeX)
[11]
pt 1/72.27 in = 0.000 351 4598 m
quarter yd = 0.2286 m
rod; pole; perch (H) rd 16 ft = 5.0292 m
rope (H) rope 20 ft
[4]
= 6.096 m
span (H) 9 in
[4]
= 0.2286 m
spat
[14]
110
12
m
stick (H) 2 in = 0.0508 m
stigma; bicron
(picometre)
pm 110
12
m
twip twp 1/1440 in = 1.763810
5
m
x unit; siegbahn xu 1.002110
13
m
[4]
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
yard (International) yd 0.9144 m
[5]
3 ft 36 in 0.9144 m
Area [edit]
Area
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
acre (international) ac 1 ch 10 ch = 4840 sq yd 4 046.856 4224 m
2
acre (U. S. survey) ac 10 sq ch = 4840 sq yd, also 43560 sq ft. 4 046.873 m
2

[15]
are a 100 m
2
= 100 m
2
barn b 10
28
m
2
= 10
28
m
2
barony 4000 ac 1.618 74210
7
m
2
board bd 1 in 1 ft = 7.741 9210
3
m
2
boiler horsepower equivalent direct radiation bhp EDR (1 ft
2
) (1 bhp) / (240 BTU
IT
/h) 12.958 174 m
2
circular inch circ in /4 sq in 5.067 07510
4
m
2
circular mil; circular thou circ mil /4 mil
2
5.067 07510
10
m
2
cord 192 bd = 1.486 448 64 m
2
dunam 1 000 m
2
= 1 000 m
2
guntha 121 sq yd 101.17 m
2
hectare ha 10 000 m
2
10 000 m
2
hide 120 ac (variable) 510
5
m
2
rood ro ac = 1 011.714 1056 m
2
section 1 mi 1 mi = 2.589 988 110 33610
6
m
2
shed 10
52
m
2
= 10
52
m
2
square (roofing) 10 ft 10 ft = 9.290 304 m
2
square chain (international) sq ch 66 ft 66 ft = 1/10 ac 404.685 642 24 m
2
square chain (US Survey) sq ch 66 ft(US) 66 ft(US) = 1/10 ac 404.687 3 m
2
square foot sq ft 1 ft 1 ft 9.290 30410
2
m
2
square foot (US Survey) sq ft 1 ft (US) 1 ft (US) 9.290 341 161 327 4910
2
m
2
square inch sq in 1 in 1 in 6.451610
4
m
2
square kilometre km
2
1 km 1 km = 10
6
m
2
square link (Gunter's)(International) sq lnk 1 lnk 1 lnk 0.66 ft 0.66 ft = 4.046 856 422410
2
m
2
square link (Gunter's)(US Survey) sq lnk 1 lnk 1 lnk 0.66 ft(US) 0.66 ft(US) 4.046 87210
2
m
2
square link (Ramsden's) sq lnk 1 lnk 1 lnk 1 ft 1 ft = 0.09290304 m
2
square metre (SI unit) m
2
1 m 1 m = 1 m
2
square mil; square thou sq mil 1 mil 1 mil = 6.451610
10
m
2
square mile sq mi 1 mi 1 mi = 2.589 988 110 33610
6
m
2
square mile (US Survey) sq mi 1 mi (US) 1 mi (US) 2.589 998 4710
6
m
2
square rod/pole/perch sq rd 1 rd 1 rd = 25.292 852 64 m
2
square yard (International) sq yd 1 yd 1 yd 0.836 127 36 m
2
stremma 1 000 m
2
= 1 000 m
2
township 36 sq mi (US) 9.323 99410
7
m
2
yardland 30 ac 1.210
5
m
2
Volume [edit]
Volume
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
acre-foot ac ft 1 ac x 1 ft = 43 560 ft
3
= 1 233.481 837 547 52 m
3
acre-inch 1 ac 1 in = 102.790 153 128 96 m
3
barrel (imperial) bl (imp) 36 gal (imp) = 0.163 659 24 m
3
barrel (petroleum) bl; bbl 42 gal (US) = 0.158 987 294 928 m
3
barrel (US dry) bl (US) 105 qt (US) = 105/32 bu (US lvl) = 0.115 628 198 985 075 m
3
barrel (US fluid) fl bl (US) 31 gal (US) = 0.119 240 471 196 m
3
board-foot fbm 144 cu in 2.359 737 21610
3
m
3
bucket (imperial) bkt 4 gal (imp) = 0.018 184 36 m
3
bushel (imperial) bu (imp) 8 gal (imp) = 0.036 368 72 m
3
bushel (US dry heaped) bu (US) 1 bu (US lvl) = 0.044 048 837 7086 m
3
bushel (US dry level) bu (US lvl) 2 150.42 cu in = 0.035 239 070 166 88 m
3
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
butt, pipe 126 gal (wine) = 0.476 961 884 784 m
3
coomb 4 bu (imp) = 0.145 474 88 m
3
cord (firewood) 8 ft 4 ft 4 ft = 3.624 556 363 776 m
3
cord-foot 16 cu ft = 0.453 069 545 472 m
3
cubic fathom cu fm 1 fm 1 fm 1 fm = 6.116 438 863 872 m
3
cubic foot cu ft 1 ft 1 ft 1 ft 0.028 316 846 592 m
3
cubic inch cu in 1 in 1 in 1 in 16.387 06410
6
m
3
cubic metre (SI unit) m
3
1 m 1 m 1 m 1 m
3
cubic mile cu mi 1 mi 1 mi 1 mi 4 168 181 825.440 579 584 m
3
cubic yard cu yd 27 cu ft 0.764 554 857 984 m
3
cup (breakfast) 10 fl oz (imp) = 284.130 62510
6
m
3
cup (Canadian) c (CA) 8 fl oz (imp) = 227.304510
6
m
3
cup (metric) c 250.010
6
m
3
= 250.010
6
m
3
cup (US customary) c (US) 8 US fl oz 1/16 gal (US) = 236.588 236510
6
m
3
cup (US food nutrition labeling) c (US) 240 mL
[16]
= 2.410
4
m
3
dash (imperial) 1/384 gi (imp) = pinch (imp) = 369.961 751 302 08 310
9
m
3
dash (US) 1/96 US fl oz = US pinch = 308.057 599 609 37510
9
m
3
dessertspoon (imperial) 1/12 gi (imp) = 11.838 776 041610
6
m
3
drop (imperial) gtt 1/288 fl oz (imp) = 98.656 467 013 810
9
m
3
drop (imperial) (alt) gtt 1/1 824 gi (imp) 77.886 68410
9
m
3
drop (medical) 0.9964/12 ml = 83.0310
9
m
3
drop (medical) 1/12 ml = 83.310
9
m
3
drop (metric) 1/20 mL = 50.010
9
m
3
drop (US) gtt 1/360 US fl oz = 82.148 693 2291610
9
m
3
drop (US) (alt) gtt 1/456 US fl oz 64.854 231 496 7110
9
m
3
drop (US) (alt) gtt 1/576 US fl oz 51.342 933 268 2310
9
m
3
fifth 1/5 US gal = 757.082 356810
6
m
3
firkin 9 gal (imp) = 0.040 914 81 m
3
fluid drachm (imperial) fl dr fl oz (imp) = 3.551 632 812510
6
m
3
fluid dram (US); US fluidram fl dr US fl oz = 3.696 691 195 312510
6
m
3
fluid scruple (imperial) fl s 1/24 fl oz (imp) = 1.183 877 6041610
6
m
3
gallon (beer) beer gal 282 cu in = 4.621 152 04810
3
m
3
gallon (imperial) gal (imp) 4.546 09 L 4.546 0910
3
m
3
gallon (US dry) gal (US) bu (US lvl) = 4.404 883 770 8610
3
m
3
gallon (US fluid; Wine) gal (US) 231 cu in 3.785 411 78410
3
m
3
gill (imperial); Noggin gi (imp); nog 5 fl oz (imp) = 142.065 312510
6
m
3
gill (US) gi (US) 4 US fl oz = 118.294 118 2510
6
m
3
hogshead (imperial) hhd (imp) 2 bl (imp) = 0.327 318 48 m
3
hogshead (US) hhd (US) 2 fl bl (US) = 0.238 480 942 392 m
3
jigger (bartending) 1 US fl oz 44.3610
6
m
3
kilderkin 18 gal (imp) = 0.081 829 62 m
3
lambda 1 mm
3
= 110
9
m
3
last 80 bu (imp) = 2.909 4976 m
3
litre
(liter)
L 1 dm
3

[17]
0.001 m
3
load 50 cu ft = 1.415 842 3296 m
3
minim (imperial) min 1/480 fl oz (imp) = 1/60 fl dr (imp) = 59.193 880 208 310
9
m
3
minim (US) min 1/480 US fl oz = 1/60 US fl dr = 61.611 519 921 87510
9
m
3
ounce (fluid imperial) fl oz (imp) 1/160 gal (imp) 28.413 062510
6
m
3
ounce (fluid US customary) US fl oz 1/128 gal (US) 29.573 529 562510
6
m
3
ounce (fluid US food nutrition labeling) US fl oz 30 mL
[16]
310
5
m
3
peck (imperial) pk 2 gal (imp) = 9.092 1810
3
m
3
peck (US dry) pk US lvl bu = 8.809 767 541 7210
3
m
3
perch per 16 ft 1 ft 1 ft = 0.700 841 953 152 m
3
pinch (imperial) 1/192 gi (imp) = tsp (imp) = 739.923 502 6041610
9
m
3
pinch (US) 1/48 US fl oz = US tsp = 616.115 199 218 7510
9
m
3
pint (imperial) pt (imp) gal (imp) = 568.261 2510
6
m
3
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
pint (US dry) pt (US dry) 1/64 bu (US lvl) gal (US dry) = 550.610 471 357510
6
m
3
pint (US fluid) pt (US fl) gal (US) = 473.176 47310
6
m
3
pony 3/4 US fl oz = 22.180 147 171 87510
6
m
3
pottle; quartern gal (imp) = 80 fl oz (imp) = 2.273 04510
3
m
3
quart (imperial) qt (imp) gal (imp) = 1.136 522510
3
m
3
quart (US dry) qt (US) 1/32 bu (US lvl) = gal (US dry) = 1.101 220 942 71510
3
m
3
quart (US fluid) qt (US) gal (US fl) = 946.352 94610
6
m
3
quarter; pail 8 bu (imp) = 0.290 949 76 m
3
register ton 100 cu ft = 2.831 684 6592 m
3
sack (imperial); bag 3 bu (imp) = 0.109 106 16 m
3[citation needed]
sack (US) 3 bu (US lvl) = 0.105 717 210 500 64 m
3
seam 8 bu (US lvl) = 0.281 912 561 335 04 m
3[citation needed]
shot (US) usually 1.5 US fl oz
[14]
4410
6
m
3
strike (imperial) 2 bu (imp) = 0.072 737 44 m
3
strike (US) 2 bu (US lvl) = 0.070 478 140 333 76 m
3
tablespoon (Australian metric) 20.010
6
m
3
tablespoon (Canadian) tbsp fl oz (imp) = 14.206 531 2510
6
m
3
tablespoon (imperial) tbsp 5/8 fl oz (imp) = 17.758 164 062510
6
m
3
tablespoon (metric) 15.010
6
m
3
tablespoon (US customary) tbsp US fl oz = 14.786 764 782510
6
m
3
tablespoon (US food nutrition labeling) tbsp 15 mL
[16]
= 1.510
5
m
3
teaspoon (Canadian) tsp 1/6 fl oz (imp) = 4.735 510 41610
6
m
3
teaspoon (imperial) tsp 1/24 gi (imp) = 5.919 388 0208310
6
m
3
teaspoon (metric) 5.010
6
m
3
= 5.010
6
m
3
teaspoon (US customary) tsp 1/6 US fl oz = 4.928 921 59510
6
m
3
teaspoon (US food nutrition labeling) tsp 5 mL
[16]
= 510
6
m
3
timber foot 1 cu ft = 0.028 316 846 592 m
3
ton (displacement) 35 cu ft = 0.991 089 630 72 m
3
ton (freight) 40 cu ft = 1.132 673 863 68 m
3
ton (water) 28 bu (imp) = 1.018 324 16 m
3
tun 252 gal (wine) = 0.953 923 769 568 m
3
wey (US) 40 bu (US lvl) = 1.409 562 806 6752 m
3
Plane angle [edit]
Plane angle
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
angular mil 2/6400 rad 0.981 74810
3
rad
arcminute;
MOA
' 1/60 0.290 88810
3
rad
arcsecond " 1/3600 4.848 13710
6
rad
centesimal
minute of arc
' 1 grad/100 0.157 08010
3
rad
centesimal
second of arc
" 1 grad/(10 000) 1.570 79610
6
rad
degree (of arc) 1/360 of a revolution /180 rad 17.453 29310
3
rad
grad; gradian;
gon
grad 1/400 of a revolution 2/400 rad 0.9 15.707 96310
3
rad
octant 45 0.785 398 rad
quadrant 90 1.570 796 rad
radian (SI unit) rad
The angle subtended at the center of a circle by an arc whose length is equal to the
circle's radius. One full revolution encompasses 2 radians.
= 1 rad
sextant 60 1.047 198 rad
sign 30 0.523 599 rad
Solid angle [edit]
Solid angle
Name of
unit
Symbol Definition
Relation to SI
units
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
square
degree
deg;
sq.deg.;
()
(/180) sr 0.3046210
3
sr
steradian
(SI unit)
sr
The solid angle subtended at the center of a sphere of radius r by a portion of the surface of
the sphere having an area r
2
. A sphere encompasses 4 sr.
[14]
= 1 sr
Mass [edit]
Notes:
See Weight for detail of mass/weight distinction and conversion.
Avoirdupois is a system of mass based on a pound of 16 ounces, while Troy weight is the system of mass where 12 troy ounces
equals one troy pound.
In this table, the unit gee is used to denote standard gravity in order to avoid confusion with the "g" symbol for grams.
In physics, the pound of mass is sometimes written lbm to distinguish it from the pound-force (lbf). It should not be read as the
mongrel unit "pound metre".
Mass
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
atomic mass unit, unified u; AMU
1.660 538 7310
27
1.310
36
kg
atomic unit of mass, electron rest
mass
m
e
9.109 382 1510
31
4510
39
kg
[18]
bag (coffee) 60 kg = 60 kg
bag (Portland cement) 94 lb av = 42.637 682 78 kg
barge 22 sh tn = 20 411.656 65 kg
carat kt 3 1/6 gr 205.196 548 333 mg
carat (metric) ct 200 mg = 200 mg
clove 8 lb av = 3.628 738 96 kg
crith 89.9349 mg
dalton Da
1.660 902 1010
27
1.310
36
kg
dram (apothecary; troy) dr t 60 gr = 3.887 9346 g
dram (avoirdupois) dr av 27 11/32 gr = 1.771 845 195 3125 g
electronvolt eV 1 eV (energy unit) / c
2
= 1.782610
36
kg
gamma 1 g = 1 g
grain gr 1/7000 lb av 64.798 91 mg
grave G grave was the original name of the kilogram 1 kg
hundredweight (long)
long cwt or
cwt
112 lb av = 50.802 345 44 kg
hundredweight (short); cental sh cwt 100 lb av = 45.359 237 kg
kilogram
(kilogramme)
kg
mass of the prototype near Paris ( mass of 1L
of water)
1 kg (SI base unit)
[8]
kip kip 1000 lb av = 453.592 37 kg
mark 8 oz t = 248.827 8144 g
mite 1/20 gr = 3.239 9455 mg
mite (metric) 1/20 g = 50 mg
ounce (apothecary; troy) oz t 1/12 lb t = 31.103 4768 g
ounce (avoirdupois) oz av 1/16 lb = 28.349 523 125 g
ounce (US food nutrition labeling) oz 28 g
[16]
= 28 g
pennyweight dwt; pwt 1/20 oz t = 1.555 173 84 g
point 1/100 ct = 2 mg
pound lb slugft/s
2
= 0.45359237 kg
pound (avoirdupois) lb av 0.453 592 37 kg = 7000 grains 0.453 592 37 kg
pound (metric) 500 g = 500 g
pound (troy) lb t 5 760 grains = 0.373 241 7216 kg
quarter (imperial) 1/4 long cwt = 2 st = 28 lb av = 12.700 586 36 kg
quarter (informal) short tn = 226.796 185 kg
quarter, long (informal) long tn = 254.011 7272 kg
quintal (metric) q 100 kg = 100 kg
scruple (apothecary) s ap 20 gr = 1.295 9782 g
sheet 1/700 lb av = 647.9891 mg
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
slug; geepound; hyl slug 1 gee 1 lb av 1 s
2
/ft 14.593 903 kg
stone st 14 lb av = 6.350 293 18 kg
ton, assay (long) AT 1 mg 1 long tn 1 oz t 32.666 667 g
ton, assay (short) AT 1 mg 1 sh tn 1 oz t 29.166 667 g
ton, long
long tn or
ton
2 240 lb = 1 016.046 9088 kg
ton, short sh tn 2 000 lb = 907.184 74 kg
tonne (mts unit) t 1 000 kg = 1 000 kg
wey 252 lb = 18 st = 114.305 277 24 kg (variants exist)
Zentner Ztr. Definitions vary; see
[19]
and.
[14]
Density [edit]
Density
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
gram per millilitre g/mL g/mL = 1,000 kg/m
3
kilogram per cubic metre (SI unit) kg/m
3
kg/m
3
= 1 kg/m
3
kilogram per litre kg/L kg/L = 1,000 kg/m
3
ounce (avoirdupois) per cubic foot oz/ft
3
oz/ft
3
1.001153961 kg/m
3
ounce (avoirdupois) per cubic inch oz/in
3
oz/in
3
1.72999404410
3
kg/m
3
ounce (avoirdupois) per gallon (imperial) oz/gal oz/gal 6.236023291 kg/m
3
ounce (avoirdupois) per gallon (US fluid) oz/gal oz/gal 7.489151707 kg/m
3
pound (avoirdupois) per cubic foot lb/ft
3
lb/ft
3
16.01846337 kg/m
3
pound (avoirdupois) per cubic inch lb/in
3
lb/in
3
2.76799047110
4
kg/m
3
pound (avoirdupois) per gallon (imperial) lb/gal lb/gal 99.77637266 kg/m
3
pound (avoirdupois) per gallon (US fluid) lb/gal lb/gal 119.8264273 kg/m
3
slug per cubic foot slug/ft
3
slug/ft
3
515.3788184 kg/m
3
Time [edit]
Time
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
atomic unit of
time
au a
0
/(c)

2.418 884 25410

17
s
Callippic cycle 441 mo (hollow) + 499 mo (full) = 76 a of 365.25 d = 2.398 377610
9
s
century c 100 a (see below for definition of year length) = 100 years
day d = 24 h
= 1440 min =
86400 s
day (sidereal) d
Time needed for the Earth to rotate once around its axis, determined from
successive transits of a very distant astronomical object across an observer's meridian
(International Celestial Reference Frame)
86 164.1 s
decade dec 10 a (see below for definition of year length) = 10 years
fortnight fn 2 wk = 1 209 600 s
helek 1/1 080 h = 3.3 s
Hipparchic
cycle
4 Callippic cycles - 1 d = 9.593 42410
9
s
hour h 60 min = 3 600 s
jiffy j 1/60 s = .016 s
jiffy (alternate) ja 1/100 s = 10 ms
ke (quarter of an
hour)
h = 1/96 d
= 60 60 / 4 s = 900
s = 60 / 4 min = 15
min
ke (traditional) 1/100 d
= 24 60 60 / 100
s = 864 s = 24 * 60 /
100 min = 14.4 min
lustre; lustrum 5 a of 365 d = 1.576810
8
s
Metonic cycle;
enneadecaeteris
110 mo (hollow) + 125 mo (full) = 6940 d 19 a = 5.996 1610
8
s
millennium 1 000 a (see below for definition of year length) = 1000 years
milliday md 1/1 000 d
= 24 60 60 /
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
milliday md 1/1 000 d
1 000 s = 86.4 s
minute min 60 s, due to leap seconds sometimes 59 s or 61 s, = 60 s
moment 90 s = 90 s
month (full) mo 30 d
[20]
= 2 592 000 s
month (Greg.
av.)
mo
Average Gregorian month = 1 a (Gregorian average) / 12 = 365.242 5 d / 12 =
30.436 875 d
2.629710
6
s
month (hollow) mo 29 d
[20]
= 2 505 600 s
month (synodic) mo Cycle time of moon phases 29.530 589 d (Average) 2.55110
6
s
octaeteris = 48 mo (full) + 48 mo (hollow) + 3 mo (full)
[21][22]
= 8 a of 365.25 d = 2922 d = 2.524 60810
8
s
Planck time (G/c
5
)

1.351 211 86810

43
s
second s
time of 9 192 631 770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between
the 2 hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium 133 atom at 0 K
[8]
(but other
seconds are sometimes used in astronomy). Also that time it takes for light to travel a
distance of 299,792,458 meters.
(SI base unit)
shake 10
8
s = 10 ns
sigma 10
6
s = 1 s
Sothic cycle 1 461 a of 365 d = 4.607 409610
10
s
svedberg S 10
13
s = 100 fs
week wk 7 d
= 168 h = 10 080 min
= 604 800 s
year (common)
a, y, or
yr
365 d = 31 536 000 s
[23]
year (Gregorian)
a, y, or
yr
= 365.2425 d average, calculated from common years (365 d) plus leap years (366 d)
on most years divisible by 4. See leap year for details.
= 31 556 952 s
year (Julian)
a, y, or
yr
= 365.25 d average, calculated from common years (365 d) plus one leap year (366 d)
every four years
= 31 557 600 s
year (leap)
a, y, or
yr
366 d = 31 622 400 s
[23]
year (mean
tropical)
a, y, or
yr
Conceptually, length of time it takes for the Sun to return to the same position in the
cycle of seasons
[Converter 1]
365.24219 d, each
day being 86,400 SI
seconds
[24]
31 556 925 s
year (sidereal)
a, y, or
yr
time taken for Sun to return to the same position with respect to the stars of the
celestial sphere
365.256 363 d
31 558 149.7632 s
Where UTC is observed, the length of time units longer than 1 s may increase or decrease by 1 s if a leap second occurs during the
time interval of interest.
Frequency [edit]
Frequency
Name of unit Symbol Definition
Relation to SI
units
hertz (SI unit) Hz Number of cycles per second = 1 Hz = 1/s
revolutions per
minute
rpm
One unit rpm equals one rotation completed around a fixed axis in one minute of
time.

0.104719755 rad/s
Speed or velocity [edit]
Speed
Name of
unit
Symbol Definition
Relation to SI
units
foot per
hour
fph 1 ft/h
8.466 66710
5
m/s
foot per
minute
fpm 1 ft/min = 5.0810
3
m/s
foot per
second
fps 1 ft/s
= 3.04810
1
m/s
furlong per
fortnight
furlong/fortnight
1.663 09510
4
m/s
inch per
hour
iph 1 in/hr
7.05 55610
6
m/s
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
inch per
minute
ipm 1 in/min
4.23 33310
4
m/s
inch per
second
ips 1 in/s = 2.5410
2
m/s
kilometre
per hour
km/h 1 km/h
= 1/3.6 m/s
2.777 77810
1
m/s
knot kn 1 nmi/h = 1.852 km/h 0.514 444 m/s
knot
(Admiralty)
kn 1 NM (Adm)/h = 1.853 184 km/h
[citation needed]
= 0.514 773 m/s
mach
number
M
Ratio of the speed to the speed of sound in the medium. Varies especially with temperature.
About 1225 km/h (761 mph) in air at sea level to about 1062 km/h (660 mph) at jet altitudes
(12,200 metres (40,000 ft)).
[25]
Unitless
340 to 295 m/s
for aircraft
metre per
second (SI
unit)
m/s 1 m/s = 1 m/s
mile per
hour
mph 1 mi/h = 0.447 04 m/s
mile per
minute
mpm 1 mi/min = 26.8224 m/s
mile per
second
mps 1 mi/s = 1 609.344 m/s
speed of
light in
vacuum
c 299 792 458 m/s
= 299 792 458
m/s
speed of
sound in
air
s
Varies especially with temperature. About 1225 km/h (761 mph) in air at sea level to about
1062 km/h (660 mph) at jet altitudes.
340 to 295 m/s
at aircraft
altitudes
A velocity consists of a speed combined with a direction; the speed part of the velocity takes units of speed.
Flow (volume) [edit]
Flow
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
cubic foot per minute CFM
[citation needed]
1 ft
3
/min = 4.71947443210
4
m
3
/s
cubic foot per second ft
3
/s 1 ft
3
/s = 0.028316846592 m
3
/s
cubic inch per minute in
3
/min 1 in
3
/min = 2.731177310
7
m
3
/s
cubic inch per second in
3
/s 1 in
3
/s = 1.638706410
5
m
3
/s
cubic metre per second (SI unit) m
3
/s 1 m
3
/s = 1 m
3
/s
gallon (US fluid) per day GPD
[citation needed]
1 gal/d = 4.38126363810
8
m
3
/s
gallon (US fluid) per hour GPH
[citation needed]
1 gal/h = 1.05150327310
6
m
3
/s
gallon (US fluid) per minute GPM
[citation needed]
1 gal/min = 6.3090196410
5
m
3
/s
litre per minute LPM
[citation needed]
1 L/min = 1.610
5
m
3
/s
Acceleration [edit]
Acceleration
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
foot per hour per second fph/s 1 ft/(hs) 8.466 66710
5
m/s
2
foot per minute per second fpm/s 1 ft/(mins) = 5.0810
3
m/s
2
foot per second squared fps
2
1 ft/s
2
= 3.04810
1
m/s
2
gal; galileo Gal 1 cm/s
2
= 10
2
m/s
2
inch per minute per second ipm/s 1 in/(mins) 4.233 33310
4
m/s
2
inch per second squared ips
2
1 in/s
2
= 2.5410
2
m/s
2
knot per second kn/s 1 kn/s 5.144 44410
1
m/s
2
metre per second squared (SI unit) m/s
2
1 m/s
2
= 1 m/s
2
mile per hour per second mph/s 1 mi/(hs) = 4.470410
1
m/s
2
mile per minute per second mpm/s 1 mi/(mins) = 26.8224 m/s
2
mile per second squared mps
2
1 mi/s
2
= 1.609 34410
3
m/s
2
standard gravity g 9.806 65 m/s
2
= 9.806 65 m/s
2
Force [edit]
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
Force
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
atomic unit of force m
e

2
c
2
/a
0
8.238 722 0610
8
N
[26]
dyne (cgs unit) dyn gcm/s
2
= 10
5
N
kilogram-force; kilopond;
grave-force
kgf; kp;
Gf
g 1 kg = 9.806 65 N
kip; kip-force
kip; kipf;
klbf
g 1 000 lb
=
4.448 221 615 260510
3
N
milligrave-force, gravet-
force
mGf; gf 'g' 1 g = 9.806 65 mN
newton (SI unit) N
A force capable of giving a mass of one kg an acceleration of one metre
per second, per second.
[27]
= 1 N = 1 kgm/s
2
ounce-force ozf g 1 oz
=
0.278 013 850 953 781 25
N
pound-force lbf g 1 lb = 4.448 221 615 2605 N
poundal pdl 1 lbft/s
2
= 0.138 254 954 376 N
sthene (mts unit) sn 1 tm/s
2
= 110
3
N
ton-force tnf g 1 sh tn
=
8.896 443 230 52110
3
N
See also: Conversion between weight (force) and mass
Pressure or mechanical stress [edit]
Pressure
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
atmosphere (standard) atm 101 325 Pa
[28]
atmosphere (technical) at 1 kgf/cm
2
= 9.806 6510
4
Pa
[28]
bar bar 10
5
Pa
barye (cgs unit) 1 dyn/cm
2
= 0.1 Pa
centimetre of mercury cmHg 13 595.1 kg/m
3
1 cm g 1.333 2210
3
Pa
[28]
centimetre of water (4 C) cmH
2
O 999.972 kg/m
3
1 cm g 98.063 8 Pa
[28]
foot of mercury (conventional) ftHg 13 595.1 kg/m
3
1 ft g 40.636 6610
3
Pa
[28]
foot of water (39.2 F) ftH
2
O 999.972 kg/m
3
1 ft g 2.988 9810
3
Pa
[28]
inch of mercury (conventional) inHg 13 595.1 kg/m
3
1 in g 3.386 38910
3
Pa
[28]
inch of water (39.2 F) inH
2
O 999.972 kg/m
3
1 in g 249.082 Pa
[28]
kilogram-force per square millimetre kgf/mm
2
1 kgf/mm
2
= 9.806 6510
6
Pa
[28]
kip per square inch ksi 1 kipf/sq in 6.894 75710
6
Pa
[28]
micron (micrometre) of mercury mHg 13 595.1 kg/m
3
1 m g 0.001 torr 0.133 322 4 Pa
[28]
millimetre of mercury mmHg 13 595.1 kg/m
3
1 mm g 1 torr 133.3224 Pa
[28]
millimetre of water (3.98 C) mmH
2
O 999.972 kg/m
3
1 mm g = 0.999 972 kgf/m
2
= 9.806 38 Pa
pascal (SI unit) Pa N/m
2
= kg/(ms
2
) = 1 Pa
[29]
pize (mts unit) pz 1 000 kg/ms
2
= 110
3
Pa = 1 kPa
pound per square foot psf 1 lbf/ft
2
47.880 26 Pa
[28]
pound per square inch psi 1 lbf/in
2
6.894 75710
3
Pa
[28]
poundal per square foot pdl/sq ft 1 pdl/sq ft 1.488 164 Pa
[28]
short ton per square foot 1 sh tn g / 1 sq ft 95.760 51810
3
Pa
torr torr 101 325/760 Pa 133.322 4 Pa
[28]
Torque or moment of force [edit]
Torque
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
foot-pound force ft lbf g 1 lb 1 ft = 1.355 817 948 331 4004 Nm
foot-poundal ft pdl 1 lbft
2
/s
2
= 4.214 011 009 380 4810
2
Nm
inch-pound force in lbf g 1 lb 1 in = 0.112 984 829 027 6167 Nm
metre kilogram m kg N m / g 0.101 971 621 Nm
N m = kgm
2
/s
2
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
Newton metre (SI unit) Nm N m = kgm
2
/s
2
= 1 Nm
Energy [edit]
Energy
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
barrel of oil equivalent boe 5.810
6
BTU
59 F
6.1210
9
J
British thermal unit (ISO) BTU
ISO
1.054510
3
J = 1.054510
3
J
British thermal unit
(International Table)
BTU
IT
= 1.055 055 852 6210
3
J
British thermal unit (mean) BTU
mean
1.055 8710
3
J
British thermal unit
(thermochemical)
BTU
th
1.054 35010
3
J
British thermal unit (39 F) BTU
39 F
1.059 6710
3
J
British thermal unit (59 F) BTU
59 F
1.054 80410
3
J = 1.054 80410
3
J
British thermal unit (60 F) BTU
60 F
1.054 6810
3
J
British thermal unit (63 F) BTU
63 F
1.054610
3
J
calorie (International Table) cal
IT
4.1868 J = 4.1868 J
calorie (mean) cal
mean
1

100
of the energy required to warm one gram of air-free water
from 0 C to 100 C @ 1 atm
4.190 02 J
calorie (thermochemical) cal
th
4.184 J = 4.184 J
Calorie (US; FDA) Cal 1 kcal = 1000 cal = 4184 J
calorie (3.98 C)
cal
3.98
C
4.2045 J
calorie (15 C) cal
15 C
4.1855 J = 4.1855 J
calorie (20 C) cal
20 C
4.1819 J
Celsius heat unit
(International Table)
CHU
IT
1 BTU
IT
1 K/R = 1.899 100 534 71610
3
J
cubic centimetre of
atmosphere; standard cubic
centimetre
cc atm;
scc
1 atm 1 cm
3
= 0.101 325 J
cubic foot of atmosphere;
standard cubic foot
cu ft
atm; scf
1 atm 1 ft
3
= 2.869 204 480 934410
3
J
cubic foot of natural gas 1 000 BTU
IT
= 1.055 055 852 6210
6
J
cubic yard of atmosphere;
standard cubic yard
cu yd
atm; scy
1 atm 1 yd
3
= 77.468 520 985 228810
3
J
electronvolt eV e 1 V
1.602 177 3310
19

4.910
26
J
erg (cgs unit) erg 1 gcm
2
/s
2
= 10
7
J
foot-pound force ft lbf g 1 lb 1 ft = 1.355 817 948 331 4004 J
foot-poundal ft pdl 1 lbft
2
/s
2
= 4.214 011 009 380 4810
2
J
gallon-atmosphere (imperial)
imp gal
atm
1 atm 1 gal (imp) = 460.632 569 25 J
gallon-atmosphere (US)
US gal
atm
1 atm 1 gal (US) = 383.556 849 0138 J
hartree, atomic unit of energy E
h
m
e

2
c
2
(= 2 Ry) 4.359 74410
18
J
horsepower-hour hph 1 hp 1 h
=
2.684 519 537 696 172 79210
6
J
inch-pound force in lbf g 1 lb 1 in = 0.112 984 829 027 6167 J
joule (SI unit) J
The work done when a force of one newton moves the point of
its application a distance of one metre in the direction of the
force.
[27]
= 1 J = 1 mN = 1 kgm
2
/s
2
=
1 CV = 1 Ws
kilocalorie; large calorie kcal; Cal 1 000 cal
IT
= 4.186810
3
J
kilowatt-hour; Board of Trade
Unit
kWh;
B.O.T.U.
1 kW 1 h = 3.610
6
J
litre-atmosphere l atm; sl 1 atm 1 L = 101.325 J
quad 10
15
BTU
IT
= 1.055 055 852 6210
18
J
rydberg Ry R

c 2.179 87210
18
J
therm (E.C.) 100 000 BTU
IT
= 105.505 585 26210
6
J
therm (US) 100 000 BTU
59 F
= 105.480410
6
J
= 4.1868 10
6
J
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
thermie th 1 Mcal
IT
= 4.186810
6
J
ton of coal equivalent TCE 7 Gcal
th
= 29.28810
9
J
ton of oil equivalent TOE 10 Gcal
th
= 41.8410
9
J
ton of TNT tTNT 1 Gcal
th
= 4.18410
9
J
Power or heat flow rate [edit]
Power
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
atmosphere-cubic centimetre per
minute
atm ccm 1 atm 1 cm
3
/min = 1.688 7510
3
W
atmosphere-cubic centimetre per
second
atm ccs 1 atm 1 cm
3
/s = 0.101 325 W
atmosphere-cubic foot per hour atm cfh 1 atm 1 cu ft/h = 0.797 001 244 704 W
atmosphere-cubic foot per
minute
atmcfm 1 atm 1 cu ft/min = 47.820 074 682 24 W
atmosphere-cubic foot per
second
atm cfs 1 atm 1 cu ft/s = 2.869 204 480 934410
3
W
BTU (International Table) per hour BTU
IT
/h 1 BTU
IT
/h 0.293 071 W
BTU (International Table) per
minute
BTU
IT
/min 1 BTU
IT
/min 17.584 264 W
BTU (International Table) per
second
BTU
IT
/s 1 BTU
IT
/s = 1.055 055 852 6210
3
W
calorie (International Table) per
second
cal
IT
/s 1 cal
IT
/s = 4.1868 W
erg per second erg/s 1 erg/s = 10
7
W
foot-pound-force per hour ft lbf/h 1 ft lbf/h 3.766 16110
4
W
foot-pound-force per minute ft lbf/min 1 ft lbf/min
=
2.259 696 580 552 33410
2
W
foot-pound-force per second ft lbf/s 1 ft lbf/s = 1.355 817 948 331 4004 W
horsepower (boiler) bhp 34.5 lb/h 970.3 BTU
IT
/lb 9.810 65710
3
W
horsepower (European electrical) hp 75 kpm/s = 736 W
horsepower (imperial electrical) hp 746 W = 746 W
horsepower (imperial
mechanical)
hp 550 ft lbf/s = 745.699 871 582 270 22 W
horsepower (metric) hp 75 m kgf/s = 735.498 75 W
litre-atmosphere per minute Latm/min 1 atm 1 L/min = 1.688 75 W
litre-atmosphere per second Latm/s 1 atm 1 L/s = 101.325 W
lusec lusec 1 LmHg/s
[14]
1.33310
4
W
poncelet p 100 m kgf/s = 980.665 W
square foot equivalent direct
radiation
sq ft EDR 240 BTU
IT
/h 70.337 057 W
ton of air conditioning 2000 lbs of ice melted / 24 h 3 504 W
ton of refrigeration (imperial) 2240 lb ice
IT
/ 24 h: ice
IT
= 144F 2326 J/kg.F 3.938 87510
3
W
ton of refrigeration (IT) 200 lbs ice
IT
/ 24 h: ice
IT
= 144 2326 J/kg.F 3.516 85310
3
W
watt (SI unit) W
The power which in one second of time gives rise to one
joule of energy.
[27]
= 1 W = 1 J/s = 1 Nm/s =
1 kgm
2
/s
3
Action [edit]
Action
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
atomic unit of action au /2 1.054 571 6810
34
Js
[30]
Dynamic viscosity [edit]
Dynamic viscosity
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
pascal second (SI unit) Pas Ns/m
2
, kg/(ms) = 1 Pas
poise (cgs unit) P 1 baryes = 0.1 Pas
pound per foot hour lb/(fth) 1 lb/(fth) 4.133 78910
4
Pas
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
pound per foot second lb/(fts) 1 lb/(fts) 1.488164 Pas
pound-force second per square foot lbfs/ft
2
1 lbfs/ft
2
47.88026 Pas
pound-force second per square inch lbfs/in
2
1 lbfs/in
2
6,894.757 Pas
Kinematic viscosity [edit]
Kinematic viscosity
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
square foot per second ft
2
/s 1 ft
2
/s = 0.09290304 m
2
/s
square metre per second (SI unit) m
2
/s 1 m
2
/s = 1 m
2
/s
stokes (cgs unit) St 10
4
m
2
/s = 10
4
m
2
/s
Electric current [edit]
Electric current
Name of unit Symbol Definition
Relation to SI
units
ampere (SI base
unit)
A
The constant current needed to produce a force of 2 10
7
newton per metre
between two straight parallel conductors of infinite length and negligible circular cross-
section placed one metre apart in a vacuum.
[8]
= 1 A = 1 C/s
electromagnetic
unit; abampere
(cgs unit)
abamp 10 A = 10 A
esu per second;
statampere (cgs
unit)
esu/s (0.1 Am/s) / c

3.33564110
10
A
Electric charge [edit]
Electric charge
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
abcoulomb; electromagnetic unit
(cgs unit)
abC; emu 10 C = 10 C
atomic unit of charge au e

1.602 176 46210

19
C
coulomb C
The amount of electricity carried in one second of time by one
ampere of current.
[27]
= 1 C = 1 As
faraday F 1 mol N
A
e 96 485.3383 C
milliampere hour mAh 0.001 A 1 h = 3.6 C
statcoulomb; franklin; electrostatic
unit (cgs unit)
statC; Fr;
esu
(0.1 Am) / c 3.335 64110
10
C
Electric dipole [edit]
Electric dipole
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
atomic unit of electric dipole moment ea
0
8.478 352 8110
30
Cm
[31]
coulomb meter Cm = 1 C 1 m
debye D = 10
10
esu = 3.3356409510
30
Cm
[32]
Electromotive force, electric potential difference [edit]
Voltage, electromotive force
Name of
unit
Symbol Definition
Relation to SI
units
abvolt
(cgs
unit)
abV 110
8
V = 110
8
V
statvolt
(cgs
unit)
statV c (1 J/Am) = 299.792 458 V
volt (SI
unit)
V
The difference in electric potential across two points along a conducting wire carrying one ampere
of constant current when the power dissipated between the points equals one watt.
[27]
= 1 V = 1 W/A =
1 kgm
2
/(As
3
)
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
Electrical resistance [edit]
Electrical resistance
Name
of unit
Symbol Definition
Relation to SI
units
ohm (SI
unit)

The resistance between two points in a conductor when one volt of electric potential difference,
applied to these points, produces one ampere of current in the conductor.
[27]
= 1 = 1 V/A =
1 kgm
2
/(A
2
s
3
)
Capacitance [edit]
Capacitor's ability to store charge
Name of
unit
Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
farad (SI
unit)
F
The capacitance between two parallel plates that results in one volt of potential difference
when charged by one coulomb of electricity.
[27]
= 1 F = 1 C/V =
1 A
2
s
4
/(kgm
2
)
Magnetic flux [edit]
magnetic flux
Name of
unit
Symbol Definition
Relation to SI
units
maxwell
(CGS unit)
Mx 10
8
Wb
[33]
= 110
8
Wb
weber (SI
unit)
Wb
Magnetic flux which, linking a circuit of one turn, would produce in it an electromotive force of
1 volt if it were reduced to zero at a uniform rate in 1 second.
[27]
= 1 Wb = 1 Vs =
1 kgm
2
/(As
2
)
Magnetic flux density [edit]
What physicists call Magnetic field is called Magnetic flux density by
electrical engineers and magnetic induction by applied mathematicians
and electrical engineers.
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
gauss (CGS unit) G Mx/cm
2
= 10
4
T = 110
4
T
[34]
tesla (SI unit) T Wb/m
2
= 1 T = 1 Wb/m
2
= 1 kg/(As
2
)
Inductance [edit]
Inductance
Name
of unit
Symbol Definition
Relation to SI
units
henry
(SI unit)
H
The inductance of a closed circuit that produces one volt of electromotive force when the current
in the circuit varies at a uniform rate of one ampere per second.
[27]
= 1 H = 1 Wb/A =
1 kgm
2
/(As)
2
Temperature [edit]
For more details on this topic, see Conversion of units of temperature.
Temperature
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
degree Celsius C C K 273.15 [K] [C] + 273.15
degree Delisle De [K] = 373.15 [De] 2/3
degree Fahrenheit F F C 9/5 + 32 [K] ([F] + 459.67) 5/9
degree Newton N [K] = [N] 100/33 + 273.15
degree Rankine R; R K 9/5 [K] [R] 5/9
degree Raumur R [K] = [R] 5/4 + 273.15
degree Rmer R
[K] = ([R] 7.5) 40/21 +
273.15
Regulo Gas Mark GM; F GM 25 + 300 [K] [GM] 125/9 + 422.038
kelvin (SI base
unit)
K
1/273.16 of the thermodynamic temperature of the triple point of
water.
[8]
1 K
Information entropy [edit]
Information entropy
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units Relation to bits
SI unit J/K J/K = 1 J/K
nat; nip; nepit nat k
B
= 1.380 650 5(23) 10
23
J/K
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
bit; shannon bit; b; Sh ln(2) k
B
= 9.569 940 (16) 10
24
J/K = 1 bit
ban; hartley ban; Hart ln(10) k
B
= 3.179 065 3(53) 10
23
J/K
nibble 4 bits = 3.827 976 0(64) 10
23
J/K = 2
2
bit
byte B 8 bits = 7.655 952 (13) 10
23
J/K = 2
3
bit
kilobyte (decimal) kB 1 000 B = 7.655 952 (13) 10
20
J/K = 810
3
bit = 8000 bit
kilobyte (kibibyte) KB; KiB 1 024 B = 7.839 695 (13) 10
20
J/K = 2
13
bit = 8192 bit
Often, information entropy is measured in shannons, whereas the (discrete) storage space of digital devices is measured in bits. Thus,
uncompressed redundant data occupy more than one bit of storage per shannon of information entropy. The multiples of a bit listed above
are usually used with this meaning. Other times the bit is used as a measure of information entropy and is thus a synonym of shannon.
Luminous intensity [edit]
The candela is the preferred nomenclature for the SI unit.
Luminous intensity
Name of unit Symbol Definition
Relation
to SI
units
candela (SI
base unit);
candle
cd
The luminous intensity, in a given direction, of a source that emits monochromatic radiation of
frequency 54010
12
hertz and that has a radiant intensity in that direction of 1/683 watt per
steradian.
[8]
= 1 cd
candlepower
(new)
cp cd The use of candlepower as a unit is discouraged due to its ambiguity. = 1 cd
candlepower
(old, pre-1948)
cp Varies and is poorly reproducible.
[35]
Approximately 0.981 cd.
[14]

0.981 cd
Luminance [edit]
Luminance
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
candela per square foot cd/ft
2
cd/ft
2
10.763910417 cd/m
2
candela per square inch cd/in
2
cd/in
2
1,550.0031 cd/m
2
candela per square metre (SI unit); nit (deprecated
[14]
) cd/m
2
cd/m
2
= 1 cd/m
2
footlambert fL (1/) cd/ft
2
3.4262590996 cd/m
2
lambert L (10
4
/) cd/m
2
3,183.0988618 cd/m
2
stilb (CGS unit) sb 10
4
cd/m
2
110
4
cd/m
2
Luminous flux [edit]
Luminous flux
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
lumen (SI unit) lm cdsr = 1 lm = 1 cdsr
Illuminance [edit]
Illuminance
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
footcandle; lumen per square foot fc lm/ft
2
= 10.763910417 lx
lumen per square inch lm/in
2
lm/in
2
1,550.0031 lx
lux (SI unit) lx lm/m
2
= 1 lx = 1 lm/m
2
phot (CGS unit) ph lm/cm
2
= 110
4
lx
Radiation - source activity [edit]
Radioactivity
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
becquerel (SI unit) Bq Number of disintegrations per second = 1 Bq = 1/s
curie Ci 3.710
10
Bq = 3.710
10
Bq
[36]
rutherford (H) rd 1 MBq = 110
6
Bq
Please note that although becquerel (Bq) and hertz (Hz) both ultimately refer to the same SI base unit (s
1
), Hz is used only for periodic
phenomena, and Bq is only used for stochastic processes associated with radioactivity.
[37]
Radiation - exposure [edit]
Radiation - exposure
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
roentgen R 1 R 2.5810
4
C/kg
[33]
= 2.5810
4
C/kg
The roentgen is not an SI unit and the NIST strongly discourages its continued use.
[38]
Radiation - absorbed dose [edit]
Radiation - absorbed dose
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
gray (SI unit) Gy 1 J/kg = 1 m
2
/s
2

[39]
= 1 Gy
rad rad 0.01 Gy
[33]
= 0.01 Gy
Radiation - equivalent dose [edit]
Radiation - equivalent dose
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
Rntgen equivalent man rem 0.01 Sv = 0.01 Sv
sievert (SI unit) Sv 1 J/kg
[37]
= 1 Sv
Although the definitions for sievert (Sv) and gray (Gy) would seem to indicate that they measure the same quantities, this is not the case.
The effect of receiving a certain dose of radiation (given as Gy) is variable and depends on many factors, thus a new unit was needed to
denote the biological effectiveness of that dose on the body; this is known as the equivalent dose and is shown in Sv. The general
relationship between absorbed dose and equivalent dose can be represented as
H = Q D
where H is the equivalent dose, D is the absorbed dose, and Q is a dimensionless quality factor. Thus, for any quantity of D measured in
Gy, the numerical value for H measured in Sv may be different.
[40]
Software tools [edit]
Home and office computers come with converters in bundled spreadsheet applications or can access free converters via the Internet.
Units and measurements can be easily converted using these tools, but only if the units are explicitly defined and the conversion is
compatible (e.g., cmHg to kPa).
General commercial sources of converters [edit]
Advanced electronic calculators have unit-conversion functionality.
Spreadsheet programs usually provide conversion functions or formulas or the user can write their own.
Commercial mathematical, scientific and technical applications often include converters.
In fiction [edit]
When a measure is converted to another unit in a fiction work like a novel or film, the value often loses meaning (as in numerology) or
gets too many significant digits ("40 miles" turns into "64 km"). For this reason, authors sometimes choose numbers that can be
converted easily. Most notably, distances measured in miles often begin with 3 or 5, so the value converted to km also has one
significant digit (5 or 8).
See also [edit]
Accuracy and precision
Conversion of units of temperature
English units
False precision
Imperial units
International System of Units
Mesures usuelles
Metric system
Natural units
Rounding
Significant figures
Metric prefix (e.g. "kilo-" prefix)
United States customary units
Units (software)
Units conversion by factor-label
Units of measurement
Notes and references [edit]
1. ^ jobs (2012-09-14). "The astronomical unit gets fixed : Nature News & Comment" . Nature.com. doi:10.1038/nature.2012.11416 .
Retrieved 2013-08-31.
2. ^ "NIST Reference on Constants, Units, and Uncertainty." (2006). National Institute of Standards and Technology. Retrieved February 22,
2008.
3. ^
a

b
U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology Handbook 44 Appendix C - General Tables of Units of Measurement 2013
Edition
4. ^
a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

i

j

k

l

m

n
Lide, D. (Ed.). (1990). Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (71st ed). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. Section 1.
5. ^
a

b
National Bureau of Standards. (June 30, 1959). Refinement of values for the yard and the pound. Federal Register, viewed September
20, 2006 at National Geodetic Survey web site .
6. ^ The International Astronomical Union and Astronomical Units
7. ^ Klein, Herbert Arthur. (1988). The Science of Measurement: a Historical Survey. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications 0-4862-5839-4.
8. ^
a

b

c

d

e

f
The International System of Units, Section 2.1 (8 ed.), Bureau International des Poids et Mesures, 2006, retrieved August 26,
2009
9. ^ International System of Units, 8th ed. (2006), Bureau International des Poids et Mesures, Section 4.1 Table 8.
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
[hide] v t e
Wikibooks has a book on the
topic of: FHSST Physics
Units:How to Change Units
Wikivoyage has a travel guide
for Metric and Imperial
equivalents.
10. ^ P. Kenneth Seidelmann, Ed. (1992). Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac. Sausalito, CA: University Science Books. p.
716 and s.v. parsec in Glossary.
11. ^
a

b

c
Whitelaw, Ian. (2007). A Measure of All Things: The Story of Man and Measurement . New York: Macmillan 0-312-37026-1. p. 152.
12. ^
a

b
De Vinne, Theodore Low (1900). The practice of typography: a treatise on the processes of type-making, the point system, the names,
sizes, styles and prices of plain printing types 2nd ed. New York: The Century Co. p. 142150.
13. ^ Pasko, Wesley Washington (1894). American dictionary of printing and bookmaking . (1894). New York: Howard Lockwood. p. 521.
14. ^
a

b

c

d

e

f

g
Rowlett, Russ (2005), How Many? A Dictionary of Units of Measurement
15. ^ Thompson, A. and Taylor, B.N. (2008). Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI). National Institute of Standards and
Technology Special Publication 811. p. 57.
16. ^
a

b

c

d

e
US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Section 101.9, Paragraph (b)(5)(viii) , retrieved August 29, 2009
17. ^ Barry N. Taylor, Ed.,NIST Special Publication 330: The International System of Units (SI) (2001 Edition), Washington: US Government
Printing Office, 43,"The 12th Conference Generale des Poids et Mesures (CGPM)declares that the word litre may be employed as a
special name for the cubic decimetre".
18. ^ CODATA Value: atomic unit of mass. (2006). National Institute of Standards and Technology. Retrieved 16 September 2008.
19. ^ The Swiss Federal Office for Metrology gives Zentner on a German language web page [1] and quintal on the English translation of that
page [2] ; the unit is marked "spcifiquement suisse !"
20. ^
a

b
Pedersen O. (1983). "Glossary" in Coyne, G., Hoskin, M., and Pedersen, O. Gregorian Reform of the Calendar: Proceedings of the
Vatican Conference to Commemorate its 400th Anniversary. Vatican Observatory. Available from Astrophysics Data System.
21. ^ Richards, E.G. (1998), Mapping Time, Oxford University Press, pp. 9495, ISBN 0-19-850413-6
22. ^ Steel, Duncan (2000), Marking Time, John Wiley & Sons, p. 46, ISBN 0-471-29827-1
23. ^
a

b
Richards, E. G. (2013). "Calendars" in S. E. Urban & P. K. Seidelmann, eds. Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac.
Mill Valley, CA: University Science Books.
24. ^ Richards, E. G. (2013). "Calendars" in S. E. Urban & P. K. Seidelmann, eds. Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac. Mill
Valley, CA: University Science Books. p. 587.
25. ^ Tom Benson. (2010.) "Mach Number" in Beginner's Guide to Aeronautics. NASA.
26. ^ CODATA Value: atomic unit of force . (2006). National Institute of Standards and Technology. Retrieved September 14, 2008.
27. ^
a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

i
Comit International des Poids et Mesures, Resolution 2 , 1946, retrieved August 26, 2009
28. ^
a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

i

j

k

l

m

n

o

p
Barry N. Taylor, (April 1 995), Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI) (NIST Special
Publication 811), Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, pp. 5768.
29. ^ Barry N. Taylor, (April 1995), Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI) (NIST Special Publication 811), Washington, DC:
US Government Printing Office, p. 5.
30. ^ International System of Units, 8th ed. (2006), Bureau International des Poids et Mesures, Section 4.1 Table 7.
31. ^ The NIST Reference on Constants, Units, and Uncertainty , 2006, retrieved August 26, 2009
32. ^ Robert G. Mortimer Physical chemistry,Academic Press, 2000 ISBN 0-12-508345-9, page 677
33. ^
a

b

c
NIST Guide to SI Units, Appendix B.9 , retrieved August 27, 2009
34. ^ Standard for the Use of the International System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System IEEE/ASTMSI 10-1997. (1997). New York and
West Conshohocken, PA: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and American Society for Testing and Materials. Tables A.1
through A.5.
35. ^ The NIST Reference on Constants, Units, and Uncertainty , retrieved August 28, 2009
36. ^ Ambler Thompson & Barry N. Taylor. (2008). Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI). Special Publication 811.
Gaithersburg, MD: National Institute of Standards and Technology. p. 10.
37. ^
a

b
The International System of Units, Section 2.2.2., Table 3 (8 ed.), Bureau International des Poids et Mesures, 2006, retrieved August
27, 2009
38. ^ The NIST Guide to the SI (Special Publication 811), section 5.2 , 2008, retrieved August 27, 2009
39. ^ Ambler Thompson & Barry N. Taylor. (2008). Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI). Special Publication 811.
Gaithersburg, MD: National Institute of Standards and Technology. p. 5.
40. ^ Comit international des poids et mesures, 2002, Recommendation 2 , retrieved August 27, 2009
Notes
1. ^ The technical definition of tropical year is the period of time for the ecliptic longitude of the Sun to increase 360 degrees. (Urban &
Seidelmann 2013, Glossary, s.v. year, tropical)
External links [edit]
Statutory Instrument 1995 No. 1804 Units of measurement regulations 1995 From
legislation.gov.uk
HowMany? A dictionary of units of measurement
NIST: Fundamental physical constants Non-SI units PDF (35.7 KB)
NIST Guide to SI Units Many conversion factors listed.
The Unified Code for Units of Measure
Units, Symbols, and Conversions XML Dictionary
Units of Measurement Software on the Open Directory Project
Units of Measurement Online Conversion on the Open Directory Project
Systems of measurement
Current
General International Systemof Units (SI) UK imperial system US customary units Burmese
Specific Apothecaries' Avoirdupois Troy Astronomical Electrical Temperature
Natural Atomic Geometrized LorentzHeaviside Planck Quantumchromodynamical Stoney
Background
Metric Overview Introduction Outline History
UK/US Overview Comparison
Historic
Metric Metrekilogramsecond Metretonnesecond Centimetregramsecond Gravitational Mesures usuelles
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