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APPENDIX A

U nit Conversion Tables1

The following tables express the definitions of miscellaneous units of measure as exact nu-
merical multiples of coherent SI units and provide multiplying factors for converting num-
bers and miscellaneous units to corresponding new numbers and SI units.
Conversion factors are expressed using computer exponential notation, and an asterisk
follows each number which expresses an exact definition. For example, the entry
2.54 E  2* expresses the fact that 1 inch  2.54  102 meter, exactly by definition.
Numbers not followed by an asterisk are only approximate representations of definitions or
are the results of physical measurements. In these tables pound-force is designated as lbf,
whereas in the text pound-force is designated as lb.

TA B L E A.1
Listing by Physical Quantity

To convert from to Multiply by

Acceleration
footsecond2 metersecond2 3.048 E  1*
free fall, standard metersecond2 9.806 65 E  0*
gal (galileo) metersecond2 1.00 E  2*
inchsecond2 metersecond2 2.54 E  2*
Area
acre meter2 4.046 856 422 4 E  3*
are meter2 1.00 E  2*
barn meter2 1.00 E  28*
foot2 meter2 9.290 304 E  2*

1
These Tables abridged from Mechtly, E. A., The International System of Units, 2nd Revision, NASA SP-7012, 1973.

824
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Appendix A / Unit Conversion Tables 825

TA B L E A.1 (continued)

To convert from to Multiply by

hectare meter2 1.00 E  4*

inch2 meter2 6.4516 E  4*
mile2 (U.S. statute) meter2 2.589 988 110 336 E  6*
section meter2 2.589 988 110 336 E  6*
township meter2 9.323 957 2 E  7
yard2 meter2 8.361 273 6 E  1*
Density
gram centimeter3 kilogrammeter3 1.00 E  3*
lbminch3 kilogrammeter3 2.767 990 5 E  4
lbmfoot3 kilogrammeter3 1.601 846 3 E  1
slug foot3 kilogrammeter3 5.153 79 E  2
Energy
British thermal unit:
(IST after 1956) joule 1.055 056 E  3
British thermal unit (thermochemical) joule 1.054 350 E  3
calorie (International Steam Table) joule 4.1868 E  0
calorie (thermochemical) joule 4.184 E  0*
calorie (kilogram, International Steam joule 4.1868 E  3
Table)
calorie (kilogram, thermochemical) joule 4.184 E  3*
electron volt joule 1.602 191 7 E  19
erg joule 1.00 E  7*
foot lbf joule 1.355 817 9 E  0
foot poundal joule 4.214 011 0 E  2
joule (international of 1948) joule 1.000 165 E  0
kilocalorie (Internation Steam Table) joule 4.1868 E  3
kilocalorie (thermochemical) joule 4.184 E  3*
kilowatt hour joule 3.60 E  6*
watt hour joule 3.60 E  3*
Force
dyne newton 1.00 E  5*
kilogram force (kgf) newton 9.806 65 E  0*
kilopound force newton 9.806 65 E  0*
kip newton 4.448 221 615 260 5 E  3*
lbf (pound force, avoirdupois) newton 4.448 221 615 260 5 E  0*
ounce force (avoirdupois) newton 2.780 138 5 E  1
pound force, lbf (avoirdupois) newton 4.448 221 615 260 5 E  0*
poundal newton 1.382 549 543 76 E  1*
Length
angstrom meter 1.00 E  10*
astronomical unit (IAU) meter 1.496 00 E  11
cubit meter 4.572 E  1*
fathom meter 1.8288 E  0*
foot meter 3.048 E  1*
furlong meter 2.011 68 E  2*
hand meter 1.016 E  1*
inch meter 2.54 E  2*
league (international nautical) meter 5.556 E  3*
light year meter 9.460 55 E  15
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826 Appendix A / Unit Conversion Tables

TA B L E A.1 (continued)

To convert from to Multiply by

meter wavelengths Kr 86 1.650 763 73 E  6*

micron meter 1.00 E  6*
mil meter 2.54 E  5*
mile (U.S. statute) meter 1.609 344 E  3*
nautical mile (U.S.) meter 1.852 E  3*
rod meter 5.0292 E  0*
yard meter 9.144 E  1*
Mass
carat (metric) kilogram 2.00 E  4*
grain kilogram 6.479 891 E  5*
gram kilogram 1.00 E  3*
ounce mass (avoirdupois) kilogram 2.834 952 312 5 E  2*
pound mass, lbm (avoirdupois) kilogram 4.535 923 7 E  1*
slug kilogram 1.459 390 29 E  1
ton (long) kilogram 1.016 046 908 8 E  3*
ton (metric) kilogram 1.00 E  3*
ton (short, 2000 pound) kilogram 9.071 847 4 E  2*
tonne kilogram 1.00 E  3*
Power
Btu (thermochemical)second watt 1.054 350 264 488 E  3
calorie (thermochemical)second watt 4.184 E  0*
foot lbfsecond watt 1.355 817 9 E  0
horsepower (550 foot lbfsecond) watt 7.456 998 7 E  2
kilocalorie (thermochemical)second watt 4.184 E  3*
watt (international of 1948) watt 1.000 165 E  0
Pressure
atmosphere newton meter2 1.013 25 E  5*
bar newton meter2 1.00 E  5*
barye newton meter2 1.00 E  1*
centimeter of mercury 10C2 newtonmeter2 1.333 22 E  3
centimeter of water 14C2 newton meter2 9.806 38 E  1
dynecentimeter2 newtonmeter2 1.00 E  1*
foot of water 139.2F2 newton meter2 2.988 98 E  3
inch of mercury 132F2 newton meter2 3.386 389 E  3
inch of mercury 160F2 newtonmeter2 3.376 85 E  3
inch of water 139.2F2 newtonmeter2 2.490 82 E  2
inch of water 160F2 newton meter2 2.4884 E  2
kgfcentimeter2 newton meter2 9.806 65 E  4*
kgfmeter2 newton meter2 9.806 65 E  0*
lbffoot2 newton meter2 4.788 025 8 E  1
lbfinch2 (psi) newton meter2 6.894 757 2 E  3
millibar newton meter2 1.00 E  2*
millimeter of mercury 10C2 newton meter2 1.333 224 E  2
pascal newtonmeter2 1.00 E  0*
psi 1lbfinch2 2 newton meter2 6.894 757 2 E  3
torr 10C2 newton meter2 1.333 22 E  2
Speed
footsecond metersecond 3.048 E  1*
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Appendix A / Unit Conversion Tables 827

TA B L E A.1 (continued)

To convert from to Multiply by

inchsecond metersecond 2.54 E  2*

kilometerhour metersecond 2.777 777 8 E  1
knot (international) metersecond 5.144 444 444 E  1
milehour (U.S. statute) metersecond 4.4704 E  1*
Temperature
Celsius kelvin tK  tC  273.15
Fahrenheit kelvin tK  15921tF  459.672
Fahrenheit Celsius tC  15921tF  322
Rankine kelvin tK  1592tR
Time
day (mean solar) second (mean solar) 8.64 E  4*
hour (mean solar) second (mean solar) 3.60 E  3*
minute (mean solar) second (mean solar) 6.00 E  1*
year (calendar) second (mean solar) 3.1536 E  7*
Viscosity
centistoke meter2second 1.00 E  6*
stoke meter2second 1.00 E  4*
foot2second meter2second 9.290 304 E  2*
centipoise newton second meter2 1.00 E  3*
lbmfoot second newton second meter2 1.488 163 9 E  0
lbf second foot2 newton second meter2 4.788 025 8 E  1
poise newton second meter2 1.00 E  1*
poundal second foot2 newton second meter2 1.488 163 9 E  0
slugfoot second newton second meter2 4.788 025 8 E  1
rhe meter2newton second 1.00 E  1*
Volume
acre foot meter3 1.233 481 837 547 52 E  3*
barrel (petroleum, 42 gallons) meter3 1.589 873 E  1
board foot meter3 2.359 737 216 E  3*
bushel (U.S.) meter3 3.523 907 016 688 E  2*
cord meter3 3.624 556 3 E  0
cup meter3 2.365 882 365 E  4*
dram (U.S. fluid) meter3 3.696 691 195 312 5 E  6*
fluid ounce (U.S.) meter3 2.957 352 956 25 E  5*
foot3 meter3 2.831 684 659 2 E  2*
gallon (U.K. liquid) meter3 4.546 087 E  3
gallon (U.S. liquid) meter3 3.785 411 784 E  3*
inch3 meter3 1.638 706 4 E  5*
liter meter3 1.00 E  3*
ounce (U.S. fluid) meter3 2.957 352 956 25 E  5*
peck (U.S.) meter3 8.809 767 541 72 E  3*
pint (U.S. liquid) meter3 4.731 764 73 E  4*
quart (U.S. liquid) meter3 9.463 529 5 E  4
stere meter3 1.00 E  0*
tablespoon meter3 1.478 676 478 125 E  5*
teaspoon meter3 4.928 921 593 75 E  6*
yard3 meter3 7.645 548 579 84 E  1*