Conversion of units

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Conversion of units refers to conversion factors between different units of measurement for the
same quantity.

Contents
[hide]

 1 Techniques
o 1.1 Process
o 1.2 Multiplication Factors
o 1.3 Table Ordering
 2 Tables of conversion factors
o 2.1 Length
o 2.2 Area
o 2.3 Volume
o 2.4 Plane angle
o 2.5 Solid angle
o 2.6 Mass
o 2.7 Density
o 2.8 Time
o 2.9 Frequency
o 2.10 Speed or velocity
o 2.11 Flow (volume)
o 2.12 Acceleration
o 2.13 Force
o 2.14 Pressure or mechanical stress
o 2.15 Torque or moment of force
o 2.16 Energy, work, or amount of heat
o 2.17 Power or heat flow rate
o 2.18 Action
o 2.19 Dynamic viscosity
o 2.20 Kinematic viscosity
o 2.21 Electric current
o 2.22 Electric charge
o 2.23 Electric dipole
o 2.24 Electromotive force, electric potential difference
o 2.25 Electrical resistance
o 2.26 Capacitance
 o 2.27 Magnetic flux
o 2.28 Magnetic flux density
o 2.29 Inductance
o 2.30 Temperature
o 2.31 Information entropy
o 2.32 Luminous intensity
o 2.33 Luminance
o 2.34 Luminous flux
o 2.35 Illuminance
o 2.36 Radiation - source activity
o 2.37 Radiation - exposure
o 2.38 Radiation - absorbed dose
o 2.39 Radiation - equivalent dose
 3 Software tools
o 3.1 General commercial sources of converters
 4 See also
 5 References
 6 External links

[edit] Techniques
[edit] Process

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

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.

[edit] Multiplication Factors

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).

[edit] Table Ordering

Within each table, the units are listed alphabetically, and the SI units (base or derived) are
highlighted.

[edit] Tables of conversion factors

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
indicates that digits repeat infinitely (e.g. 8.294369 corresponds to
digits
8.294369369369369…)
(H) of chiefly historical interest

[edit] Length

Length
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
−10
ångström Å ≡ 1×10  m ≡ 0.1 nm
astronomical unit AU ≈ Distance from Earth to Sun ≈ 149597871464 m [1]
= ⅓ in (see note above about
barleycorn (H)   ≈ 8.46 × 10−3 m
rounding)
bohr, atomic unit ≈ 5.2917720859×10−11 ± 3.6×10−20 m
a0 ≡ Bohr radius of hydrogen [2]
of length
cable length
  ≡ 608 ft ≈ 185.3184 m
(Imperial)
cable length
  ≡ 1/10 nmi ≡ 185.2 m
(International)
cable length
  ≡ 720 ft = 219.456 m
(U.S.)
chain (Gunter's;
ch ≡ 66 ft(US) ≡ 4 rods [3] ≈ 20.11684 m
Surveyor's)
≡ Distance from fingers to
cubit (H)   ≈ 0.5 m
elbow ≈ 18 in
 ≡ 45 in [4] (In England
ell (H) ell = 1.143 m
usually)
fathom fm ≡ 6 ft [4] = 1.8288 m
fermi fm ≡ 1×10−15 m[4] ≡ 1×10−15 m
finger   ≡ 7/8 in = 0.022225 m
finger (cloth)   ≡ 4½ in = 0.1143 m
foot (Benoît) (H) ft (Ben) ≈ 0.304799735 m
foot (Clarke's;
ft (Cla) ≈ 0.3047972654 m
Cape) (H)
foot (Indian) (H) ft Ind ≈ 0.304799514 m
foot ≡ 1/3 yd ≡ 0.3048 m ≡
ft ≡ 0.3048 m
(International) 12 inches
foot (Sear's) (H) ft (Sear) ≈ 0.30479947 m
1200 [5]
foot (U.S. Survey) ft (US) ≡ ⁄3937 m ≈ 0.304800610 m
french; charriere F ≡ 1⁄3 mm = 0.3
≡ 10 chains = 660 ft = 220
furlong fur = 201.168 m
yd [4]
hand   ≡ 4 in [4] ≡ 0.1016 m
inch
in ≡ 1/36 yd ≡ 1/12 ft ≡ 0.0254 m
(International)
league (land) lea ≡ 3 US Statute miles [3] = 4828.032 m
light-day   ≡ 24 light-hours ≡ 2.59020683712×1013 m
light-hour   ≡ 60 light-minutes ≡ 1.0792528488×1012 m
light-minute   ≡ 60 light-seconds ≡ 1.798754748×1010 m
≡ Distance light travels in
light-second   ≡ 299792458 m
one second in vacuum
≡ Distance light travels in
light-year ly = 9.4607304725808×1015 m
vacuum in 365.25 days [6]
line ln ≡ 1/12 in [7] = 0.002116 m
link (Gunter's; ≡ 1/100 ch [4] ≡ 0.66 ft ≡
lnk = 0.201168 m
Surveyor's) 7.92in
link (Ramsden's;
lnk ≡ 1 ft [4] = 0.3048 m
Engineer's)
≡ Distance light travels in
1
⁄299792458 of a second in
metre (SI base
m vacuum.[8] ≡1m
unit)
≈ 1⁄10000000 of the distance
from equator to pole.
mickey   ≡ 1⁄200 in = 1.27×10−4 m
micron µ ≡ 1×10−6 m
mil; thou mil ≡ 1×10−3 in ≡ 2.54×10−5 m
mil (Sweden and
mil ≡ 10 km = 10000 m
Norway)
mile
≡ 6082 ft = 1853.7936 m
(geographical) (H)
mile ≡ 80 chains ≡ 5280 ft ≡ 1760
mi ≡ 1609.344 m
(international) yd
mile (tactical or
≡ 6000 ft ≡ 1828.8 m
data)
mile (telegraph)
mi ≡ 6087 ft = 1855.3176 m
(H)
mile (U.S. ≡ 5280 US Survey feet ≡
mi ≈ 1609.347219 m
Survey) (5280 × 1200⁄3937) m
nail (cloth)   ≡ 2¼ in [4] = 0.057 15 m
nanometer nm ≡ 1×10−10 m
nautical league NL; nl ≡ 3 nmi [4] = 5556 m
NM
nautical mile
(Adm); = 6080 ft = 1853.184 m
(Admiralty)
nmi (Adm)
nautical mile
NM; nmi ≡ 1852 m [9] ≡ 1852 m
(international)
nautical mile (US
≡ 1853.248 m ≡ 1853.248 m
pre 1954)
pace   ≡ 2.5 ft [4] = 0.762 m
palm   ≡ 3 in [4] = 0.0762 m
Distance of star with
parallax shift of one arc
parsec pc ≈ 3.085 677 82 × 1016 ± 6 × 106 m [10]
second from a base of one
astronomical unit
pica   ≡ 12 points Dependent on point measures.
point (American,
pt ≡ 1/72.272 in ≈ 0.000 351 450 m
English) [11][12]
≡ 1/12 × 1/72 of pied du roi; ≈ 0.000 375 97 m;
point (Didot;
pt
European) [12][13] After 1878: After 1878:
≡ 5/133 cm ≈ 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   ≡ ¼ yd = 0.2286 m
rod; pole; perch
rd ≡ 16½ ft = 5.0292 m
(H)
rope (H) rope ≡ 20 ft [4] = 6.096 m
span (H)   ≡ 9 in [4] = 0.2286 m
spat [14] ≡ 1 × 1012 m
stick (H)   ≡ 2 in = 0.0508 m
stigma; bicron pm ≡ 1 × 10−12 m
(picometre)
twip twp ≡ 1/1440 in = 1.7638 × 10−5 m
x unit; siegbahn xu ≈ 1.0021 × 10−13 m [4]
yard
yd ≡ 0.9144 m [5] ≡ 3 ft ≡ 36 in ≡ 0.9144 m
(International)

[edit] Area

Area
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
≡ 1 ch × 10 ch = 4840 sq
acre (international) ac ≡ 4 046.856 4224 m2
yd
≡ 10 sq ch = 4840 sq yd,
acre (U. S. survey) ac ≈ 4 046.873 m2 [15]
also 43560 sq ft.
are a ≡ 100 m2 = 100 m2
barn b ≡ 10−28 m2 = 10−28 m2
barony   ≡ 4000 ac ≈ 1.618 742 × 107 m2
board bd ≡ 1 in × 1 ft = 7.741 92 × 10−3 m2
boiler horsepower equivalent bhp ≡ (1 ft2) (1 bhp) / (240
≈ 12.958 174 m2
direct radiation EDR BTUIT/h)
circular inch circ in ≡ π/4 sq in ≈ 5.067 075 × 10−4 m2
circular mil; circular thou circ mil ≡ π/4 mil2 ≈ 5.067 075 × 10−10 m2
cord   ≡ 192 bd = 1.486 448 64 m2
dunam   ≡ 1 000 m2 = 1 000 m2
guntha   ≡ 121 sq yd ≈ 101.17 m2
hectare ha ≡ 10 000 m2 ≡ 10 000 m2
hide   ≈ 120 ac (variable) ≈ 5 × 105 m2
rood ro ≡ ¼ ac = 1 011.714 1056 m2
= 2.589 988 110
section ≡ 1 mi × 1 mi
336 × 106 m2
shed   ≡ 10−52 m2 = 10−52 m2
square (roofing) ≡ 10 ft × 10 ft = 9.290 304 m2
square chain (international) sq ch ≡ 66 ft × 66 ft = 1/10 ac ≡ 404.685 642 24 m2
≡ 66 ft(US) × 66 ft(US) =
square chain (U.S. Survey) sq ch ≈ 404.687 3 m2
1/10 ac
square foot sq ft ≡ 1 ft × 1 ft ≡ 9.290 304 × 10−2 m2
≈ 9.290 341 161 327
square foot (U.S. Survey) sq ft ≡ 1 ft (US) × 1 ft (US)
49 × 10−2 m2
square inch sq in ≡ 1 in × 1 in ≡ 6.4516 × 10−4 m2
square kilometre km2 ≡ 1 km × 1 km = 106 m2
square link (Gunter's) ≡ 1 lnk × 1 lnk ≡ 0.66 ft × = 4.046 856 4224 × 10−2
sq lnk
(International) 0.66 ft m2
square link (Gunter's)(US Survey) sq lnk ≡ 1 lnk × 1 lnk ≡ ≈ 4.046 872 × 10−2 m2
 0.66 ft(US) × 0.66 ft(US)
square link (Ramsden's) sq lnk ≡ 1 lnk × 1 lnk ≡ 1 ft × 1 ft = 0.09290304 m2
square metre (SI unit) m2 ≡1m×1m = 1 m2
square mil; square thou sq mil ≡ 1 mil × 1 mil = 6.4516 × 10−10 m2
= 2.589 988 110
square mile sq mi ≡ 1 mi × 1 mi
336 × 106 m2
square mile (U.S. Survey) sq mi ≡ 1 mi (US) × 1 mi (US) ≈ 2.589 998 47 × 106 m2
square rod/pole/perch sq rd ≡ 1 rd × 1 rd = 25.292 852 64 m2
square yard (International) sq yd ≡ 1 yd × 1 yd ≡ 0.836 127 36 m2
2
stremma   ≡ 1 000 m = 1 000 m2
township   ≡ 36 sq mi (US) ≈ 9.323 994 × 107 m2
yardland   ≈ 30 ac ≈ 1.2 × 105 m2

[edit] Volume

Volume
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
acre-foot ac ft ≡ 1 ac x 1 ft = 43 560 ft = 1 233.481 837 547 52 m3
3

acre-inch   ≡ 1 ac × 1 in = 102.790 153 128 96 m3

barrel (Imperial) bl (Imp) ≡ 36 gal (Imp) = 0.163 659 24 m3
barrel (petroleum) bl; bbl ≡ 42 gal (US) = 0.158 987 294 928 m3
≡ 105 qt (US) = 105/32 bu
barrel (U.S. dry) bl (US) = 0.115 628 198 985 075 m3
(US lvl)
barrel (U.S. fluid) fl bl (US) ≡ 31½ gal (US) = 0.119 240 471 196 m3
board-foot fbm ≡ 144 cu in ≡ 2.359 737 216 × 10−3 m3
bucket (Imperial) bkt ≡ 4 gal (Imp) = 0.018 184 36 m3
bushel (Imperial) bu (Imp) ≡ 8 gal (Imp) = 0.036 368 72 m3
bushel (U.S. dry heaped) bu (US) ≡ 1 ¼ bu (US lvl) = 0.044 048 837 7086 m3
bushel (U.S. dry level) bu (US lvl) ≡ 2 150.42 cu in = 0.035 239 070 166 88 m3
butt, pipe   ≡ 126 gal (wine) = 0.476 961 884 784 m3
coomb   ≡ 4 bu (Imp) = 0.145 474 88 m3
cord (firewood)   ≡ 8 ft × 4 ft × 4 ft = 3.624 556 363 776 m3
cord-foot   ≡ 16 cu ft = 0.453 069 545 472 m3
cubic fathom cu fm ≡ 1 fm × 1 fm × 1 fm = 6.116 438 863 872 m3
cubic foot cu ft ≡ 1 ft × 1 ft × 1 ft ≡ 0.028 316 846 592 m3
cubic inch cu in ≡ 1 in × 1 in × 1 in ≡ 16.387 064 × 10−6 m3
cubic metre (SI unit) m3 ≡1m×1m×1m ≡ 1 m3
≡ 4 168 181 825.440 579
cubic mile cu mi ≡ 1 mi × 1 mi × 1 mi
584 m3
cubic yard cu yd ≡ 27 cu ft ≡ 0.764 554 857 984 m3
cup (breakfast)   ≡ 10 fl oz (Imp) = 284.130 625 × 10−6 m3
cup (Canadian) c (CA) ≡ 8 fl oz (Imp) = 227.3045 × 10−6 m3
cup (metric) c ≡ 250.0 × 10−6 m3 = 250.0 × 10−6 m3
≡ 8 US fl oz ≡ 1/16 gal
cup (U.S. customary) c (US) = 236.588 2365 × 10−6 m3
(US)
cup (U.S. food nutrition
c (US) ≡ 240 mL[16] = 2.4×10−4 m3
labeling)
≡ 1/384 gi (Imp) = ½ = 369.961 751 302 08
dash (Imperial)  
pinch (Imp) 3 × 10−9 m3
≡ 1/96 US fl oz = ½ US = 308.057 599 609
dash (U.S.)  
pinch 375 × 10−9 m3
dessertspoon (Imperial)   ≡ 1/12 gi (Imp) = 11.838 776 0416 × 10−6 m3
= 98.656 467 013 8 × 10−9
drop (Imperial) gtt ≡ 1/288 fl oz (Imp)
m3
drop (Imperial) (alt) gtt ≡ 1/1 824 gi (Imp) ≈ 77.886 684 × 10−9 m3
drop (medical)   ≡ 1/12 ml = 83.03 × 10−9 m3
drop (metric)   ≡ 1/20 mL = 50.0 × 10−9 m3
= 82.148 693 22916 × 10−9
drop (U.S.) gtt ≡ 1/360 US fl oz
m3
drop (U.S.) (alt) gtt ≡ 1/456 US fl oz ≈ 64.854 231 × 10−9 m3
fifth   ≡ 1/5 US gal = 757.082 3568 × 10−6 m3
firkin   ≡ 9 gal (US) = 0.034 068 706 056 m3
fluid drachm (Imperial) fl dr ≡ ⅛ fl oz (Imp) = 3.551 632 8125 × 10−6 m3
fluid dram (U.S.); U.S. = 3.696 691 195 3125 × 10−6
fl dr ≡ ⅛ US fl oz
fluidram m3
fluid scruple (Imperial) fl s ≡ 1/24 fl oz (Imp) = 1.183 877 60416 × 10−6 m3
gallon (beer) beer gal ≡ 282 cu in = 4.621 152 048 × 10−3 m3
gallon (Imperial) gal (Imp) ≡ 4.546  09 L ≡ 4.546 09 × 10−3 m3
= 4.404 883 770 86 × 10−3
gallon (U.S. dry) gal (US) ≡ ⅛ bu (US lvl)
m3
gallon (U.S. fluid; Wine) gal (US) ≡ 231 cu in ≡ 3.785 411 784 × 10−3 m3
gi (Imp);
gill (Imperial); Noggin ≡ 5 fl oz (Imp) = 142.065 3125 × 10−6 m3
nog
gill (U.S.) gi (US) ≡ 4 US fl oz = 118.294 118 25 × 10−6 m3
hogshead (Imperial) hhd (Imp) ≡ 2 bl (Imp) = 0.327 318 48 m3
hogshead (U.S.) hhd (US) ≡ 2 fl bl (US) = 0.238 480 942 392 m3
jigger (bartending)   ≡ 1½ US fl oz ≈ 44.36 × 10−6 m3
kilderkin   ≡ 18 gal (Imp) = 0.081 829 62 m3
lambda λ ≡ 1 mm3 = 1 × 10−9 m3
last   ≡ 80 bu (Imp) = 2.909 4976 m3
3 [17]
litre L ≡ 1 dm ≡ 0.001 m3
load   ≡ 50 cu ft = 1.415 842 3296 m3
≡ 1/480 fl oz (Imp) = 1/60 = 59.193 880 208 3 × 10−9
minim (Imperial) min
fl dr (Imp) m3
minim (U.S.) min ≡ 1/480 US fl oz = 1/60 = 61.611 519 921 875 × 10−9
 US fl dr m3
ounce (fluid Imperial) fl oz (Imp) ≡ 1/160 gal (Imp) ≡ 28.413 0625 × 10−6 m3
ounce (fluid U.S. customary) US fl oz ≡ 1/128 gal (US) ≡ 29.573 529 5625 × 10−6 m3
ounce (fluid U.S. food
US fl oz ≡ 30 mL[16] ≡ 3×10−5 m3
nutrition labeling)
peck (Imperial) pk ≡ 2 gal (Imp) = 9.092 18 × 10−3 m3
= 8.809 767 541 72 × 10−3
peck (U.S. dry) pk ≡ ¼ US lvl bu
m3
perch per ≡ 16½ ft × 1½ ft × 1 ft = 0.700 841 953 152 m3
≡ 1/192 gi (Imp) = ⅛ tsp = 739.923 502 60416 × 10−9
pinch (Imperial)  
(Imp) m3
≡ 1/48 US fl oz = ⅛ US = 616.115 199 218 75 × 10−9
pinch (U.S.)  
tsp m3
pint (Imperial) pt (Imp) ≡ ⅛ gal (Imp) = 568.261 25 × 10−6 m3
pt (US ≡ 1/64 bu (US lvl) ≡ ⅛ gal = 550.610 471 3575 × 10−6
pint (U.S. dry)
dry) (US dry) m3
pint (U.S. fluid) pt (US fl) ≡ ⅛ gal (US) = 473.176 473 × 10−6 m3
= 22.180 147 171 875 × 10−6
pony   ≡ 3/4 US fl oz
m3
≡ ½ gal (Imp) = 80 fl oz
pottle; quartern   = 2.273 045 × 10−3 m3
(Imp)
quart (Imperial) qt (Imp) ≡ ¼ gal (Imp) = 1.136 5225 × 10−3 m3
≡ 1/32 bu (US lvl) = ¼ gal = 1.101 220 942 715 × 10−3
quart (U.S. dry) qt (US)
(US dry) m3
quart (U.S. fluid) qt (US) ≡ ¼ gal (US fl) = 946.352 946 × 10−6 m3
quarter; pail   ≡ 8 bu (Imp) = 0.290 949 76 m3
register ton   ≡ 100 cu ft = 2.831 684 6592 m3
sack (Imperial); bag   ≡ 3 bu (Imp) = 0.109 106 16 m3[citation needed]
sack (U.S.)   ≡ 3 bu (US lvl) = 0.105 717 210 500 64 m3
= 0.281 912 561 335 04
seam   ≡ 8 bu (US lvl)
m3[citation needed]
shot   ≡ 1 US fl oz ≈ 29.57 × 10−6 m3
strike (Imperial)   ≡ 2 bu (Imp) = 0.072 737 44 m3
strike (U.S.)   ≡ 2 bu (US lvl) = 0.070 478 140 333 76 m3
tablespoon (Australian
  ≡ 20.0 × 10−6 m3
metric)
tablespoon (Canadian) tbsp ≡ ½ fl oz (Imp) = 14.206 531 25 × 10−6 m3
tablespoon (Imperial) tbsp ≡ 5/8 fl oz (Imp) = 17.758 164 0625 × 10−6 m3
tablespoon (metric)   ≡ 15.0 × 10−6 m3
tablespoon (U.S. customary) tbsp ≡ ½ US fl oz = 14.786 764 7825 × 10−6 m3
tablespoon (U.S. food
tbsp ≡ 15 mL[16] = 1.5×10−5 m3
nutrition labeling)
teaspoon (Canadian) tsp ≡ 1/6 fl oz (Imp) = 4.735 510 416 × 10−6 m3
teaspoon (Imperial) tsp ≡ 1/24 gi (Imp) = 5.919 388 02083 × 10−6 m3
teaspoon (metric)   ≡ 5.0 × 10−6 m3 = 5.0 × 10−6 m3
teaspoon (U.S. customary) tsp ≡ 1/6 US fl oz = 4.928 921 595 × 10−6 m3
teaspoon (U.S. food nutrition
tsp ≡ 5 mL[16] = 5×10−6 m3
labeling)
timber foot   ≡ 1 cu ft = 0.028 316 846 592 m3
ton (displacement)   ≡ 35 cu ft = 0.991 089 630 72 m3
ton (freight)   ≡ 40 cu ft = 1.132 673 863 68 m3
ton (water)   ≡ 28 bu (Imp) = 1.018 324 16 m3
tun   ≡ 252 gal (wine) = 0.953 923 769 568 m3
wey (U.S.)   ≡ 40 bu (US lvl) = 1.409 562 806 6752 m3

[edit] Plane angle

Plane angle
Relation to SI
Name of unit Symbol Definition
units
≈ 0.981
angular mil µ ≡ 2π/6400 rad
748 × 10−3 rad
≈ 0.290
arcminute; moa ' ≡ 1°/60
888 × 10−3 rad
≈ 4.848
arcsecond " ≡ 1°/3600
137 × 10−6 rad
centesimal ≈ 0.157
' ≡ 1 grad/100
minute of arc 080 × 10−3 rad
centesimal ≈ 1.570
" ≡ 1 grad/(10 000)
second of arc 796 × 10−6 rad
≈ 17.453
degree (of arc) ° ≡ 1/360 of a revolution ≡ π/180 rad
293 × 10−3 rad
grad; gradian; ≈ 15.707
grad ≡ 1/400 of a revolution ≡ 2π/400 rad ≡ 0.9°
gon 963 × 10−3 rad
≈ 0.785 398
octant   ≡ 45°
rad
≈ 1.570 796
quadrant   ≡ 90°
rad
The angle subtended at the center of a circle by an arc
radian (SI unit) rad whose length is equal to the circle's radius. One full = 1 rad
revolution encompasses 2π radians.
≈ 1.047 198
sextant   ≡ 60°
rad
≈ 0.523 599
sign   ≡ 30°
rad

[edit] Solid angle

 Solid angle
Name of Relation to
Symbol Definition
unit SI units
The solid angle subtended at the center of a sphere of radius r
steradian
sr by a portion of the surface of the sphere having an area r2. A = 1 sr
(SI unit)
sphere encompasses 4π sr.[14]

[edit] Mass

Notes:

 See Weight for detail of mass/weight distinction and conversion.

 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
≈ 1.660 538 73 × 10−27 ±
atomic mass unit, unified u; AMU
1.3 × 10−36 kg
atomic unit of mass, ≈ 9.109 382 15 × 10−31 ±
me
electron rest mass 45 × 10−39 kg [18]
bag (coffee)   ≡ 60 kg = 60 kg
bag (Portland cement)   ≡ 94 lb av = 42.637 682 78 kg
barge   ≡ 22½ 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
≈ 1.660 902 10 × 10−27 ±
dalton Da
1.3 × 10−36 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) / c2 = 1.7826 × 10−36 kg
gamma γ ≡ 1 μg = 1 μg
grain gr ≡ 1/7000 lb av ≡ 64.798 91 mg
grave was the original name of
grave G ≡ 1 kg
the kilogram
long cwt or
hundredweight (long) ≡ 112 lb av = 50.802 345 44 kg
cwt
hundredweight (short);
sh cwt ≡ 100 lb av = 45.359 237 kg
cental
hyl (CGS unit)   ≡ 1 gee × 1 g × 1 s2/m = 9.806 65 g
hyl (MKS unit)   ≡ 1 gee × 1 kg × 1 s2/m = 9.806 65 kg
≡ mass of the prototype near
kilogram kg ≡ 1 kg (SI base unit)[8]
Paris (≈ mass of 1L of water)
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 (U.S. food
oz ≡ 28 g[16] = 28 g
nutrition labeling)
pennyweight dwt; pwt ≡ 1/20 oz t = 1.555 173 84 g
point   ≡ 1/100 ct = 2 mg
≡ 0.453 592 37 kg = 7000
pound (avoirdupois) lb av ≡ 0.453 592 37 kg
grains
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)   ≡ ¼ short tn = 226.796 185 kg
quarter, long (informal)   ≡ ¼ 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
slug; geepound slug ≡ 1 gee × 1 lb av × 1 s2/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
long tn or
ton, long ≡ 2 240 lb = 1 016.046 9088 kg
ton
ton, short sh tn ≡ 2 000 lb = 907.184 74 kg
tonne (mts unit) t ≡ 1 000 kg = 1 000 kg
= 114.305 277 24 kg
wey   ≡ 252 lb = 18 st
(variants exist)
Zentner Ztr. Definitions vary; see [19] and.[14]

[edit] Density

Density
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
gram per millilitre g/mL ≡ g/mL = 1,000 kg/m3
kilogram per cubic metre (SI unit) kg/m3 ≡ kg/m3 = 1 kg/m3
kilogram per litre kg/L ≡ kg/L = 1,000 kg/m3
ounce (avoirdupois) per cubic foot oz/ft3 ≡ oz/ft3 ≈ 1.001153961 kg/m3
ounce (avoirdupois) per cubic inch oz/in3 ≡ oz/in3 ≈ 1.729994044×103 kg/m3
ounce (avoirdupois) per gallon (Imperial) oz/gal ≡ oz/gal ≈ 6.236023291 kg/m3
ounce (avoirdupois) per gallon (U.S. fluid) oz/gal ≡ oz/gal ≈ 7.489151707 kg/m3
pound (avoirdupois) per cubic foot lb/ft3 ≡ lb/ft3 ≈ 16.01846337 kg/m3
pound (avoirdupois) per cubic inch lb/in3 ≡ lb/in3 ≈ 2.767990471×104 kg/m3
pound (avoirdupois) per gallon (Imperial) lb/gal ≡ lb/gal ≈ 99.77637266 kg/m3
pound (avoirdupois) per gallon (U.S. fluid) lb/gal ≡ lb/gal ≈ 119.8264273 kg/m3
slug per cubic foot slug/ft3 ≡ slug/ft3 ≈ 515.3788184 kg/m3

[edit] Time

Time, t
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
atomic unit of ≈ 2.418 884
au ≡ a0/(α·c)
time 254 × 10−17 s
≡ 441 mo (hollow) + 499 mo (full) = 76 a of
Callippic cycle   = 2.398 3776 × 109 s
365.25 d
≡ 100 a (see below for definition of year
century c = 100 × year
length)
day d = 24 h = 86400 s
≡ Time needed for the Earth to rotate once
around its axis, determined from successive
day (sidereal) d transits of a very distant astronomical object ≈ 86 164.1 s
across an observer's meridian (International
Celestial Reference Frame)
decade dec ≡ 10 a (see below for definition of year length) = 10 × year
fortnight fn ≡ 2 wk = 1 209 600 s
helek ≡ 1/1 080 h = 3.3 s
Hipparchic cycle   ≡ 4 Callippic cycles - 1 d = 9.593 424 × 109 s
hour h ≡ 60 min = 3 600 s
jiffy j ≡ 1/60 s = .016 s
jiffy (alternate) ja ≡ 1/100 s = 10 ms
= 60 × 60 / 4 s = 900
ke (quarter of an
  ≡ ¼ h = 1/96 d s = 60 / 4 min = 15
hour)
min
= 24 × 60 × 60 / 100
ke (traditional)   ≡ 1/100 d s = 864 s = 24 * 60 /
100 min = 14.4 min
lustre; lustrum   ≡ 5 a of 365 d = 1.5768 × 108 s
Metonic cycle; ≡ 110 mo (hollow) + 125 mo (full) = 6940 d ≈
  = 5.996 16 × 108 s
enneadecaeteris 19 a
 ≡ 1 000 a (see below for definition of year
millennium   = 1000 × year
length)
= 24 × 60 × 60 / 1
milliday md ≡ 1/1 000 d
000 s = 86.4 s
≡ 60 s, due to leap seconds sometimes 59 s or
minute min = 60 s
61 s,
moment   ≡ 90 s = 90 s
month (full) mo ≡ 30 d[20] = 2 592 000 s
Average Gregorian month = 365.2425/12 d =
month (Greg. av.) mo ≈ 2.6297 × 106 s
30.436875 d
month (hollow) mo ≡ 29 d[20] = 2 505 600 s
Cycle time of moon phases ≈ 29.530589 days
month (synodic) mo ≈ 2.551 × 106 s
(Average)
= 48 mo (full) + 48 mo (hollow) + 3 mo (full)
octaeteris   [21][22] = 2.524 608 × 108 s
= 8 a of 365.25 d = 2922 d
≈ 1.351 211
Planck time   ≡ (Gℏ/c5)½
868 × 10−43 s
time of 9 192 631 770 periods of the radiation
corresponding to the transition between the 2
second s hyperfine levels of the ground state of the (SI base unit)
caesium 133 atom at 0 K[8] (but other seconds
are sometimes used in astronomy)
shake   ≡ 10−8 s = 10 ns
sigma   ≡ 10−6 s = 1 μs
Sothic cycle   ≡ 1 461 a of 365 d = 4.607 4096 × 1010 s
svedberg S ≡ 10−13 s = 100 fs
week wk ≡7d = 604 800 s
= 365.2425 d average, calculated from common
a, y, or
year (Gregorian) years (365 d) plus leap years (366 d) on most = 31 556 952 s
yr
years divisible by 4. See leap year for details.
= 365.25 d average, calculated from common
a, y, or
year (Julian) years (365 d) plus one leap year (366 d) every = 31 557 600 s
yr
four years
≡ time taken for Sun to return to the same
a, y, or ≈ 365.256 363 d ≈ 31
year (sidereal) position with respect to the stars of the celestial
yr 558 149.7632 s
sphere
a, y, or ≡ Length of time it takes for the Sun to return ≈ 365.242 190 d ≈ 31
year (tropical)
yr to the same position in the cycle of seasons 556 925 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.

[edit] Frequency

Frequency
 Relation to SI
Name of unit Symbol Definition
units
hertz (SI unit) Hz ≡ Number of cycles per second = 1 Hz = 1/s
revolutions per ≡ One unit rpm equals one rotation completed ≈
rpm
minute around a fixed axis in one minute of time. 0.104719755 rad/s

[edit] Speed or velocity

Speed
Relation to SI
Name of unit Symbol Definition
units
≈ 8.466
foot per hour fph ≡ 1 ft/h
667 × 10−5 m/s
foot per minute fpm ≡ 1 ft/min = 5.08 × 10−3 m/s
= 3.048 × 10−1
foot per second fps ≡ 1 ft/s
m/s
furlong per ≈ 1.663
  ≡ furlong/fortnight
fortnight 095 × 10−4 m/s
inch per ≈ 4.23 333 × 10−4
ipm ≡ 1 in/min
minute m/s
inch per
ips ≡ 1 in/s = 2.54 × 10−2 m/s
second
kilometre per ≈ 2.777
km/h ≡ 1 km/h
hour 778 × 10−1 m/s
knot kn ≡ 1 NM/h = 1.852 km/h ≈ 0.514 444 m/s
knot
kn ≡ 1 NM (Adm)/h = 1.853 184 km/h[citation needed] = 0.514 773 m/s
(Admiralty)
Ratio of the speed to the speed of sound in the
medium. Varies especially with temperature. About ≈ 340 to 295 m/s
mach number M
1225 km/h (761 mph) in air at sea level to about for aircraft
1062 km/h (660 mph) at jet altitudes. Unitless
metre per
second (SI m/s ≡ 1 m/s = 1 m/s
unit)
mile per hour mph ≡ 1 mi/h = 0.447 04 m/s
mile per
mpm ≡ 1 mi/min = 26.8224 m/s
minute
mile per
mps ≡ 1 mi/s = 1 609.344 m/s
second
speed of light = 299 792 458
c ≡ 299 792 458 m/s
in vacuum m/s
Varies especially with temperature. About 1225 km/h ≈ 340 to 295 m/s
speed of sound
s (761 mph) in air at sea level to about 1062 km/h at aircraft
in air
(660 mph) at jet altitudes. altitudes
A velocity consists of a speed combined with a direction; the speed part of the velocity takes
units of speed.

[edit] Flow (volume)

Flow
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
cubic foot per minute CFM ≡ 1 ft /min = 4.719474432×10−4 m3/s
3

cubic foot per second ft3/s ≡ 1 ft3/s = 0.028316846592 m3/s

cubic inch per minute in /min ≡ 1 in /min = 2.7311773 × 10−7 m3/s
3 3

cubic inch per second in3/s ≡ 1 in3/s = 1.6387064×10−5 m3/s

cubic metre per second (SI unit) m3/s ≡ 1 m3/s = 1 m3/s
gallon (U.S. fluid) per day GPD ≡ 1 gal/d = 4.381263638 × 10−8 m3/s
gallon (U.S. fluid) per hour GPH ≡ 1 gal/h = 1.051503273 × 10−6 m3/s
gallon (U.S. fluid) per minute GPM ≡ 1 gal/min = 6.30901964×10−5 m3/s
litre per minute LPM ≡ 1 L/min = 1.6 × 10−5 m3/s

[edit] Acceleration

Acceleration
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
foot per hour per second fph/s ≡ 1 ft/(h·s) ≈ 8.466 667 × 10−5 m/s2
foot per minute per second fpm/s ≡ 1 ft/(min·s) = 5.08 × 10−3 m/s2
foot per second squared fps2 ≡ 1 ft/s2 = 3.048 × 10−1 m/s2
gal; galileo Gal ≡ 1 cm/s2 = 10−2 m/s2
inch per minute per second ipm/s ≡ 1 in/(min·s) ≈ 4.233 333 × 10−4 m/s2
inch per second squared ips2 ≡ 1 in/s2 = 2.54 × 10−2 m/s2
knot per second kn/s ≡ 1 kn/s ≈ 5.144 444 × 10−1 m/s2
metre per second squared (SI unit) m/s2 ≡ 1 m/s2 = 1 m/s2
mile per hour per second mph/s ≡ 1 mi/(h·s) = 4.4704 × 10−1 m/s2
mile per minute per second mpm/s ≡ 1 mi/(min·s) = 26.8224 m/s2
mile per second squared mps2 ≡ 1 mi/s2 = 1.609 344 × 103 m/s2
standard gravity g ≡ 9.806 65 m/s2 = 9.806 65 m/s2

[edit] Force

Force
Relation to SI
Name of unit Symbol Definition
units
≈ 8.238 722
atomic unit of force ≡ me·α2·c2/a0
06 × 10−8 N [23]
dyne (cgs unit) dyn ≡ g·cm/s2 = 10−5 N
kilogram-force; kgf; kp; ≡ g × 1 kg = 9.806 65 N
kilopond; grave-force Gf
kip; kipf; = 4.448 221 615
kip; kip-force ≡ g × 1 000 lb
klbf 2605 × 103 N
milligrave-force,
mGf; gf ≡ g × 1 g = 9.806 65 mN
gravet-force
A force capable of giving a mass of one kg
newton (SI unit) N an acceleration of one metre per second, per = 1 N = 1 kg·m/s2
second.[24]
= 0.278 013 850
ounce-force ozf ≡ g × 1 oz
953 7812 N
pound lb ≡ slug·ft/s2 = 4.448 230 531 N
= 4.448 221 615
pound-force lbf ≡ g × 1 lb
2605 N
= 0.138 254 954
poundal pdl ≡ 1 lb·ft/s2
376 N
sthene (mts unit) sn ≡ 1 t·m/s2 = 1 × 103 N
= 8.896 443 230
ton-force tnf ≡ g × 1 sh tn
521 × 103 N

See also: Conversion between weight (force) and mass

[edit] Pressure or mechanical stress

Pressure
Relation to SI
Name of unit Symbol Definition
units
atmosphere (standard) atm ≡ 101 325 Pa [25]
= 9.806 65 × 104 Pa
atmosphere (technical) at ≡ 1 kgf/cm2 [25]

bar bar ≡ 105 Pa

barye (cgs unit)   ≡ 1 dyn/cm2 = 0.1 Pa
≈ 1.333 22 × 103 Pa
centimetre of mercury cmHg ≡ 13 595.1 kg/m3 × 1 cm × g [25]

centimetre of water (4 °C) cmH2O ≈ 999.972 kg/m3 × 1 cm × g ≈ 98.0638 Pa [25]

foot of mercury ≈ 40.636 66 × 103
ftHg ≡ 13 595.1 kg/m3 × 1 ft × g
(conventional) Pa [25]
≈ 2.988 98 × 103 Pa
foot of water (39.2 °F) ftH2O ≈ 999.972 kg/m3 × 1 ft × g [25]

inch of mercury ≈ 3.386 389 × 103

inHg ≡ 13 595.1 kg/m3 × 1 in × g
(conventional) Pa [25]
inch of water (39.2 °F) inH2O ≈ 999.972 kg/m3 × 1 in × g ≈ 249.082 Pa [25]
kilogram-force per square = 9.806 65 × 106 Pa
kgf/mm2 ≡ 1 kgf/mm2 [25]
millimetre
kip per square inch ksi ≡ 1 kipf/sq in ≈ 6.894 757 × 106
 Pa [25]
micron (micrometre) of ≡ 13 595.1 kg/m3 × 1 μm × g ≈ 0.001 ≈ 0.133 3224 Pa [25]
mercury μmHg torr
millimetre of mercury mmHg ≡ 13 595.1 kg/m3 × 1 mm × g ≈ 1 torr ≈ 133.3224 Pa [25]
≈ 999.972 kg/m3 × 1 mm × g = 0.999
millimetre of water (3.98 °C) mmH2O = 9.806 38 Pa
972 kgf/m2
pascal (SI unit) Pa ≡ N/m2 = kg/(m·s2) = 1 Pa [26]
= 1 × 103 Pa = 1
pièze (mts unit) pz ≡ 1 000 kg/m·s2
kPa
2
pound per square foot psf ≡ 1 lbf/ft ≈ 47.880 26 Pa [25]
≈ 6.894 757 × 103
pound per square inch psi ≡ 1 lbf/in2
Pa [25]
poundal per square foot pdl/sq ft ≡ 1 pdl/sq ft ≈ 1.488 164 Pa [25]
≈ 95.760 518 × 103
short ton per square foot   ≡ 1 sh tn × g / 1 sq ft
Pa
torr torr ≡ 101 325/760 Pa ≈ 133.3224 Pa [25]

[edit] Torque or moment of force

Torque
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
foot-pound force ft lbf ≡ g × 1 lb × 1 ft = 1.355 817 948 331 4004 N·m
2 2
foot-poundal ft pdl ≡ 1 lb·ft /s = 4.214 011 009 380 48 × 10−2 N·m
inch-pound force in lbf ≡ g × 1 lb × 1 in = 0.112 984 829 027 6167 N·m
metre kilogram m kg ≡ N × m / g ≈ 0.101 971 621 N·m
2 2
Newton metre (SI unit) N·m ≡ N × m = kg·m /s = 1 N·m

[edit] Energy, work, or amount of heat

Energy
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
6
barrel of oil equivalent bboe ≈ 5.8 × 10 BTU59 °F ≈ 6.12 × 109 J
British thermal unit (ISO) BTUISO ≡ 1.0545 × 103 J = 1.0545 × 103 J
British thermal unit = 1.055 055 852
BTUIT
(International Table) 62 × 103 J
British thermal unit
BTUmean ≈ 1.055 87 × 103 J
(mean)
British thermal unit
BTUth ≈ 1.054 350 × 103 J
(thermochemical)
British thermal unit (39
BTU39 °F ≈ 1.059 67 × 103 J
°F)
British thermal unit (59
BTU59 °F ≡ 1.054 804 × 103 J = 1.054 804 × 103 J
°F)
British thermal unit (60
BTU60 °F ≈ 1.054 68 × 103 J
°F)
British thermal unit (63
BTU63 °F ≈ 1.0546 × 103 J
°F)
calorie (International
calIT ≡ 4.1868 J = 4.1868 J
Table)
calorie (mean) calmean ≈ 4.190 02 J
calorie (thermochemical) calth ≡ 4.184 J = 4.184 J
calorie (3.98 °C) cal3.98 °C ≈ 4.2045 J
calorie (15 °C) cal15 °C ≡ 4.1855 J = 4.1855 J
calorie (20 °C) cal20 °C ≈ 4.1819 J
Celsius heat unit = 1.899 100 534
CHUIT ≡ 1 BTUIT × 1 K/°R
(International Table) 716 × 103 J
cubic centimetre of
cc atm;
atmosphere; standard ≡ 1 atm × 1 cm3 = 0.101 325 J
scc
cubic centimetre
cubic foot of atmosphere; cu ft atm; = 2.869 204 480
≡ 1 atm × 1 ft3
standard cubic foot scf 9344 × 103 J
= 1.055 055 852
cubic foot of natural gas   ≡ 1 000 BTUIT
62 × 106 J
cubic yard of atmosphere; cu yd atm; = 77.468 520 985
≡ 1 atm × 1 yd3
standard cubic yard scy 2288 × 103 J
≈ 1.602 177
electronvolt eV ≡e×1V 33 × 10−19 ±
4.9 × 10−26 J
erg (cgs unit) erg ≡ 1 g·cm2/s2 = 10−7 J
= 1.355 817 948
foot-pound force ft lbf ≡ g × 1 lb × 1 ft
331 4004 J
= 4.214 011 009
foot-poundal ft pdl ≡ 1 lb·ft2/s2
380 48 × 10−2 J
gallon-atmosphere imp gal
≡ 1 atm × 1 gal (imp) = 460.632 569 25 J
(imperial) atm
US gal = 383.556 849 0138
gallon-atmosphere (US) ≡ 1 atm × 1 gal (US)
atm J
hartree, atomic unit of ≈ 4.359 744 × 10−18
Eh ≡ me·α2·c2 (= 2 Ry)
energy J
= 2.684 519 537
horsepower-hour hp·h ≡ 1 hp × 1 h
696 172 792 × 106 J
= 0.112 984 829
inch-pound force in lbf ≡ g × 1 lb × 1 in
027 6167 J
The work done when a force of one
newton moves the point of its = 1 J = 1 m·N =
joule (SI unit) J
application a distance of one metre in 1 kg·m2/s2
the direction of the force.[24]
kilocalorie; large calorie kcal; Cal ≡ 1 000 calIT = 4.1868 × 103 J
kilowatt-hour; Board of kW·h;
≡ 1 kW × 1 h = 3.6 × 106 J
Trade Unit B.O.T.U.
litre-atmosphere l atm; sl ≡ 1 atm × 1 L = 101.325 J
= 1.055 055 852
quad   ≡ 1015 BTUIT
62 × 1018 J
≈ 2.179 872 × 10−18
rydberg Ry ≡ R∞·ℎ·c
J
= 105.505 585
therm (E.C.)   ≡ 100 000 BTUIT
262 × 106 J
therm (U.S.)   ≡ 100 000 BTU59 °F = 105.4804 × 106 J
thermie th ≡ 1 McalIT = 4.1868 × 106 J
ton of coal equivalent TCE ≡ 7 Gcalth = 29.3076 × 109 J
ton of oil equivalent TOE ≡ 10 Gcalth = 41.868 × 109 J
ton of TNT tTNT ≡ 1 Gcalth = 4.184 × 109 J

[edit] Power or heat flow rate

Power
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
atmosphere-cubic
atm ccm ≡ 1 atm × 1 cm3/min = 1.688 75 × 10−3 W
centimetre per minute
atmosphere-cubic
atm ccs ≡ 1 atm × 1 cm3/s = 0.101 325 W
centimetre per second
atmosphere-cubic foot = 0.797 001 244 704
atm cfh ≡ 1 atm × 1 cu ft/h
per hour W
atmosphere-cubic foot = 47.820 074 682 24
atm·cfm ≡ 1 atm × 1 cu ft/min
per minute W
atmosphere-cubic foot = 2.869 204 480
atm cfs ≡ 1 atm × 1 cu ft/s
per second 9344 × 103 W
BTU (International
BTUIT/h ≡ 1 BTUIT/h ≈ 0.293 071 W
Table) per hour
BTU (International
BTUIT/min ≡ 1 BTUIT/min ≈ 17.584 264 W
Table) per minute
BTU (International = 1.055 055 852
BTUIT/s ≡ 1 BTUIT/s
Table) per second 62 × 103 W
calorie (International
calIT/s ≡ 1 calIT/s = 4.1868 W
Table) per second
foot-pound-force per
ft lbf/h ≡ 1 ft lbf/h ≈ 3.766 161 × 10−4 W
hour
foot-pound-force per = 2.259 696 580 552
ft lbf/min ≡ 1 ft lbf/min
minute 334 × 10−2 W
foot-pound-force per = 1.355 817 948 331
ft lbf/s ≡ 1 ft lbf/s
second 4004 W
horsepower (boiler) bhp ≈ 34.5 lb/h × 970.3 BTUIT/lb ≈ 9.810 657 × 103 W
horsepower (European
hp ≡ 75 kp·m/s = 736 W
electrical)
horsepower (Imperial
hp ≡ 746 W = 746 W
electrical)
horsepower (Imperial = 745.699 871 582
hp ≡ 550 ft lbf/s
mechanical) 270 22 W
horsepower (metric) hp ≡ 75 m kgf/s = 735.498 75 W
litre-atmosphere per
L·atm/min ≡ 1 atm × 1 L/min = 1.688 75 W
minute
litre-atmosphere per
L·atm/s ≡ 1 atm × 1 L/s = 101.325 W
second
lusec lusec ≡ 1 L·µmHg/s [14] ≈ 1.333 × 10−4 W
poncelet p ≡ 100 m kgf/s = 980.665 W
square foot equivalent
sq ft EDR ≡ 240 BTUIT/h ≈ 70.337 057 W
direct radiation
ton of air conditioning   ≡ 1 t ice melted / 24 h ≈ 3 504 W
ton of refrigeration
  ≡ 1 BTUIT × 1 lng tn/lb ÷ 10 min/s ≈ 3.938 875 × 103 W
(Imperial)
ton of refrigeration (IT)   ≡ 1 BTUIT × 1 sh tn/lb ÷ 10 min/s ≈ 3.516 853 × 103 W
The power which in one second of
= 1 W = 1 J/s =
watt (SI unit) W time gives rise to one joule of energy.
[24] 1 N·m/s = 1 kg·m2/s3

[edit] Action

Action
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
atomic unit of action au ≡ ℏ ≡ ℎ/2π ≈ 1.054 571 68 × 10−34 J·s[27]

[edit] Dynamic viscosity

Dynamic viscosity
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
2
pascal second (SI unit) Pa·s ≡ N·s/m , kg/(m·s) = 1 Pa·s
poise (cgs unit) P ≡ 10−1 Pa·s = 0.1 Pa·s
pound per foot hour lb/(ft·h) ≡ 1 lb/(ft·h) ≈ 4.133 789 × 10−4 Pa·s
pound per foot second lb/(ft·s) ≡ 1 lb/(ft·s) ≈ 1.488164 Pa·s
pound-force second per square foot lbf·s/ft2 ≡ 1 lbf·s/ft2 ≈ 47.88026 Pa·s
2 2
pound-force second per square inch lbf·s/in ≡ 1 lbf·s/in ≈ 6,894.757 Pa·s

[edit] Kinematic viscosity

 Kinematic viscosity
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
square foot per second ft2/s ≡ 1 ft2/s = 0.09290304 m2/s
square metre per second (SI unit) m2/s ≡ 1 m2/s = 1 m2/s
stokes (cgs unit) St ≡ 10−4 m2/s = 10−4 m2/s

[edit] Electric current

Electric current
Relation to SI
Name of unit Symbol Definition
units
≡ The constant current needed to produce a
force of 2  × 10−7 newton per metre between
ampere (SI base
A two straight parallel conductors of infinite =1A
unit)
length and negligible circular cross-section
placed one metre apart in a vacuum.[8]
electromagnetic
unit; abampere (cgs abamp ≡ 10 A = 10 A
unit)
esu per second; ≈
esu/s ≡ (0.1 A·m/s) / c
statampere (cgs unit) 3.335641×10−10 A

[edit] Electric charge

Electric charge
Relation to SI
Name of unit Symbol Definition
units
abcoulomb; electromagnetic
abC; emu ≡ 10 C = 10 C
unit (cgs unit)
≈ 1.602 176
atomic unit of charge au ≡e
462 × 10−19 C
≡ The amount of electricity carried in
coulomb (SI unit) C one second of time by one ampere of = 1 C = 1 A·s
current.[24]
faraday F ≡ 1 mol × NA·e ≈ 96 485.3383 C
statcoulomb; franklin; statC; Fr; ≈ 3.335
≡ (0.1 A·m) / c
electrostatic unit (cgs unit) esu 641 × 10−10 C

[edit] Electric dipole

Electric dipole
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
atomic unit of electric dipole moment ea0   ≈ 8.478 352 81 × 10−30 C·m[28]
coulomb meter C·m   =1C·1m
debye D = 10-10 esu·Å = 3.33564095 × 10−22 C·m

[edit] Electromotive force, electric potential difference

Voltage, electromotive force

Name of Relation to SI
Symbol Definition
unit units
abvolt
abV ≡ 1 × 10−8 V = 1 × 10−8 V
(cgs unit)
statvolt
statV ≡ c· (1 μJ/A·m) = 299.792 458 V
(cgs unit)
The difference in electric potential across two points along
volt (SI a conducting wire carrying one ampere of constant current = 1 V = 1 W/A =
V
unit) when the power dissipated between the points equals one 1 kg·m2/(A·s3)
watt.[24]

[edit] Electrical resistance

Electrical resistance
Name of Relation to SI
Symbol Definition
unit units
The resistance between two points in a conductor when one
ohm (SI = 1 Ω = 1 V/A = 1
Ω volt of electric potential difference, applied to these points,
unit) kg·m2/(A2·s3)
produces one ampere of current in the conductor.[24]

[edit] Capacitance

Capacitor's ability to store charge

Name of Relation to SI
Symbol Definition
unit units
The capacitance between two parallel plates that results in
farad (SI = 1 F = 1 C/V = 1
F one volt of potential difference when charged by one
unit) A2·s4/(kg·m2)
coulomb of electricity.[24]

[edit] Magnetic flux

magnetic flux
Name of Relation to SI
Symbol Definition
unit units
maxwell
Mx ≡ 10−8 Wb[29] = 1 × 10−8 Wb
(CGS unit)
Magnetic flux which, linking a circuit of one turn, would
weber (SI = 1 Wb = 1 V·s =
Wb produce in it an electromotive force of 1 volt if it were
unit) 1 kg·m2/(A·s2)
reduced to zero at a uniform rate in 1 second.[24]
[edit] Magnetic flux density

What physicists call Magnetic field is called Magnetic flux density by electrical engineers and
magnetic induction by applied mathematicians and electrical engineers.
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
2 −4
gauss (CGS unit) G ≡ Mx/cm = 10 T = 1 × 10−4 T [30]
tesla (SI unit) T ≡ Wb/m2 = 1 T = 1 Wb/m2 = 1 kg/(A·s2)

[edit] Inductance

Inductance
Name of Relation to SI
Symbol Definition
unit units
The inductance of a closed circuit that produces one volt of
henry = 1 H = 1 Wb/A =
H electromotive force when the current in the circuit varies at
(SI unit) 1 kg·m2/(A·s)2
a uniform rate of one ampere per second.[24]

[edit] Temperature

For more details on this topic, see Temperature conversion.

Temperature
Name of unit Symbol Definition Conversion to kelvin
degree Celsius °C °C ≡ K − 273.15 [K] ≡ [°C] + 273.15
[K] = 373.15 − [°De] ×
degree Delisle °De
2/3
degree [K] ≡ ([°F] + 459.67) ×
°F °F ≡ °C × 9/5 + 32
Fahrenheit 5/9
[K] = [°N] × 100/33 +
degree Newton °N
273.15
degree Rankine °R; °Ra °R ≡ K × 9/5 [K] ≡ [°R] × 5/9
degree [K] = [°Ré] × 5/4 +
°Ré
Réaumur 273.15
[K] = ([°Rø] − 7.5) ×
degree Rømer °Rø
40/21 + 273.15
kelvin (SI base ≡ 1/273.16 of the thermodynamic temperature
K ≡1K
unit) of the triple point of water.[8]

[edit] Information entropy

Information entropy
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units Relation to bits
SI unit J/K ≡ J/K = 1 J/K
nat; nip; nepit nat ≡ kB = 1.380 650 5(23) × 10−23 J/K
bit; shannon bit; b; Sh ≡ ln(2) × kB = 9.569 940 (16) × 10−24 J/K = 1 bit
ban; hartley ban; Hart ≡ ln(10) × kB = 3.179 065 3(53) × 10−23 J/K
nibble ≡ 4 bits = 3.827 976 0(64) × 10−23 J/K = 22 bit
byte B ≡ 8 bits = 7.655 952 (13) × 10−23 J/K = 23 bit
kilobyte (decimal) kB ≡ 1 000 B = 7.655 952 (13) × 10−20 J/K = 8 × 103 bit = 8000 bit
kilobyte (kibibyte) KB; KiB ≡ 1 024 B = 7.839 695 (13) × 10−20 J/K = 213 bit = 8192 bit

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

[edit] Luminous intensity

The candela is the preferred nomenclature for the SI unit.

Luminous intensity
Relation to
Name of unit Symbol Definition
SI units
The luminous intensity, in a given direction, of a source
candela (SI base that emits monochromatic radiation of frequency
cd = 1 cd
unit); candle 540 × 1012 hertz and that has a radiant intensity in that
direction of 1/683 watt per steradian.[8]
candlepower ≡ cd The use of candlepower as a unit is discouraged due
cp = 1 cd
(new) to its ambiguity.
candlepower Varies and is poorly reproducible.[31] Approximately
cp ≈ 0.981 cd
(old, pre-1948) 0.981 cd.[14]

[edit] Luminance

Luminance
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
candela per square foot cd/ft2 ≡ cd/ft2 ≈ 10.763910417 cd/m2
candela per square inch cd/in2 ≡ cd/in2 ≈ 1,550.0031 cd/m2
candela per square metre (SI unit); nit
cd/m2 ≡ cd/m2 = 1 cd/m2
(deprecated[14])
footlambert fL ≡ (1/π) cd/ft2 ≈ 3.4262590996 cd/m2
≡ (104/π)
lambert L ≈ 3,183.0988618 cd/m2
cd/m2
stilb (CGS unit) sb ≡ 104 cd/m2 ≈ 1 × 104 cd/m2

[edit] Luminous flux

 Luminous flux
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
lumen (SI unit) lm ≡ cd·sr = 1 lm = 1 cd·sr

[edit] Illuminance

Illuminance
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
footcandle; lumen per square foot fc ≡ lm/ft2 = 10.763910417 lx
lumen per square inch lm/in2 ≡ lm/in2 ≈ 1,550.0031 lx
lux (SI unit) lx ≡ lm/m2 = 1 lx = 1 lm/m2
phot (CGS unit) ph ≡ lm/cm2 = 1 × 104 lx

[edit] Radiation - source activity

Radioactivity
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
becquerel (SI unit) Bq ≡ Number of disintegrations per second = 1 Bq = 1/s
curie Ci ≡ 3.7 × 1010 Bq = 3.7 × 1010 Bq [32]
rutherford (H) rd ≡ 1 MBq = 1 × 106 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.[33]

[edit] Radiation - exposure

Radiation - exposure
Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
roentgen R 1 R ≡ 2.58 × 10 C/kg = 2.58 × 10−4 C/kg
−4 [29]

The roentgen is not a SI unit and the NIST strongly discourages its continued use.[34]

[edit] Radiation - absorbed dose

Radiation - absorbed dose

Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
2 2 [35]
gray (SI unit) Gy ≡ 1 J/kg = 1 m /s = 1 Gy
rad rad ≡ 0.01 Gy[29] = 0.01 Gy

[edit] Radiation - equivalent dose

Radiation - equivalent dose

 Name of unit Symbol Definition Relation to SI units
Röntgen equivalent man rem ≡ 0.01 Sv = 0.01 Sv
sievert (SI unit) Sv ≡ 1 J/kg[33] = 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.[36]

[edit] Software tools

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

[edit] General commercial sources of converters

 Advanced electronic calculators have unit-conversion functionality.

 Spreadsheet programs usually provide conversion functions or formulas or the user can
write their own.
 Commercial mathematical, scientific and technical applications often include converters.

[edit] See also

Wikibooks has a book on the topic of
FHSST Physics Units:How to Change Units
 Accuracy and precision  Natural units
 English units  Rounding
 False precision  Significant figures
 Imperial units  Temperature conversion
 International System of Units  United States customary units
 Mesures usuelles  Units conversion by factor-label
 Metric system