Exceptions: Figs., Nos., Eqs, Refs, Vols. A lock ( LockA locked padlock Now is the perfect time to get the gear you want with simple, promotional financing. Example: 1 mg, NOT 1 μkg (1 microkilogram). The names of such multiples and submultiples are formed by attaching SI prefix names to the name "gram." With over 28,000 articles and counting, inSync is your FREE resource for breaking news, reviews, demos, interviews, and more. "\$\endgroup\$ – Dave Dec 31 '15 at 8:30 A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. International SI style and usage publications focus on written communication. NIST SP 811 provides an editorial checklist for reviewing manuscripts' conformity with the SI and the basic principles of physical quantities and units. Abbreviation: mg See more. ‘Kgs’ is also an in k orrect symbol. ... abbreviations capitalization. Each case involves considering if the word is an official name or a proper noun. An official website of the United States government. Use unit symbols and abbreviations in the singular only. The International System of Units (SI), commonly known as the metric system, is a logical, universal, and precise way to express physical quantities. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. These are not considered abbreviations; they are considered symbols; as such, they follow the rules for mathematical … A benefit of the International System of Units (SI) is that written technical information is effectively communicated, overcoming the variations of language, including spelling and pronunciation. The International System of Units (SI) is about measuring the weight or dimensions of objects, not changing their sizes. kilo – A standard prefix (abbreviated “k”) representing 1000. NIST guides use American spelling. SP 811 also provides an editorial checklist for reviewing manuscripts conformity with SI and the basic principles of physical quantities and units. All units and prefixes should be spelled as shown in this guide. Kilo – A standard prefix generally used in reference to computer equipment. If so, will I need to put a comma before the quotation mark? Looking for the abbreviation of KILOGRAMS? Example: nm (nanometer), NOT mμm (millimicrometer). In medical environments, a liter is a kilogram of pure water at 4 degrees centigrade. However, if a hyphen is used, write out the name of the metric quantity with the hyphen between the numeral and the quantity. Kg Kgs Km Kms. Spell out on the first mention. Kilo – A standard prefix generally used in reference to computer equipment. Capitalization When Defining Abbreviations Although an abbreviation is composed of capital letters, the full words that define the abbreviation are not always capitalized. Symbols: Unit symbols are written in lower case letters except for liter and those units derived from the name of a person (m for meter, but W for watt, Pa for pascal, etc.). For example, the kilometer per hour (km/h) is the usual unit for expressing vehicular speeds. After that, it’s OK to use the abbreviation as a measurement with numerals. The name "metric ton" rather than "tonne.". 1. The dot or period is used as the decimal point within numbers. In numbers less than one, zero should be written before the decimal point. Milligram definition, a unit of mass or weight equal to one thousandth of a gram, and equivalent to 0.0154 grain. The U.S. paper industry uses several customary paper formats that all have metric dimensions. Journalistic style: use the prefix and unit names spelled out. To request a hard copy, please contact the Metric Program. Verbal pronunciation of SI terminology is purposefully not addressed in the BIPM SI Brochure (French is the primary language, English is secondary), NIST SP 330 (uses American English spelling), NIST SP 811 (uses American English spelling), or IEEE/ASTM SI 10. While the standardization of sizes provides some benefits by simplifying things, the process of standardization is independent of the system of measurement. The most common misuse of this is the use of "kilo" for a "kilogram" of something. ), though it isn’t commonly used. The word "micron" is an obsolete term for the quantity "micrometer." Rules for Capitalization. Sweetwater Sound For example: Spaces are not used between prefixes and unit names nor between prefix symbols and unit symbols. To learn more about our cookie policy, please check our Privacy Policy. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS It is available by calling the NIST Metric Program at (301) 975-3690 or email. When a long word or phrase for which there is no standard abbreviation is used frequently, it may be replaced by an abbreviation … For example, 250 mm = 250 millimeters, NOT 250 mms. Spell out on the first mention. NIST guides use American spelling. Thus we have F, C and W for fahrenheit, centigrade and watt respectively. Thus, because compound prefixes are unacceptable, symbols for decimal multiples and submultiples of the unit of mass are formed by attaching SI prefix symbols to g (gram). The SI unit for liter is L, written with either a lower or uppercase letter. The SI unit of time (actually time interval) is the second (s) and should be used in all technical calculations. Note: This information is published as NIST LC 1137, Metric Style Guide for the News Media. The first syllable of every prefix is accented, not the second syllable. https://www.nist.gov/pml/weights-and-measures/writing-metric-units. Find out what is the most common shorthand of KILOGRAMS on Abbreviations.com! Do not mix styles. 1,776 2 2 gold badges 17 17 silver badges 38 38 bronze badges. 5501 U.S. Hwy 30 W, Fort Wayne, IN 46818 Thus, 8 Kilobytes (Kb) of memory is 8 times 1024, or 8,192 bytes. You can write values in one of two ways: journal style or scientific style. 5 New Year's Gifts Better Than a Gym Membership, Ask the Doctor: Musicians and Cold Weather, Spotlighting Creativity in the Time of COVID, 5 Ways Sweetwater Makes Buying Software Easier. Here is a list of common mistakes in using the metric system, with examples of incorrect usage and how to make them correct. Abbreviated “K”, it was developed to represent the binary value of 2 to the 10th power (1024). Examples: meter, liter, and deka, NOT metre, litre, and deca. For example, a 4 kiloHertz (kHz) sine wave has a frequency of 4,000 Hertz. The et is not an abbreviation, so no period should be used after et; al. For example: 7 m, 31.4 kg, 37 °C. The kilogram (also kilogramme) is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI), the current metric system, having the unit symbol kg. Get Directions | The pronunciation of common metric units is well known, except for pascal, which rhymes with rascal, and hectare, which rhymes with bare. Examples: 7.038 g; 0.038 g. Some of the metric units listed above include prefixes such as kilo, centi, and milli. Do I need to capitalize the first letter in the quotation in these two examples? Being music makers ourselves, we love geeking out on all things gear. For example, add the prefix kilo, which means a thousand, to the unit gram to indicate 1000 grams; thus 1000 grams become 1 kilogram. Abbreviations are used very frequently in medicine. Any object weighed or measured using the SI has a metric size (e.g., a typical page of office paper is 215 mm by 280 mm), just as the same object measured using customary units has a size (8.5 in by 11 in). However any attachments to these abbreviations denoting multiples go in lower case, unless the standard abbreviation for the attachment is in upper case. An abbreviation that is new or not Prefixes: Symbols of prefixes that mean a million or more are capitalized and those less than a million are lower case (M for mega (millions), m for milli (thousandths)). , Phone Hours | Avoid "abbreviations" for units (WRONG: sec., amp); use the unit names or symbols instead. Prefixes, added to a unit name, create larger or smaller units by factors that are powers of 10. These three abbreviations are based on three different languages, ie, 'k' stands for kilo (a thousand in classical Greek), 'm' stands for mille (a thousand in classical Latin) and 'M' is the abbreviation for the English word million and is capitalized to distinguish it from 'm', a thousandth. Thus: “7 kg” and “a few kilograms” ... capitalized, and just the first letter of the abbreviation is capitalized. There is one exception: in "degree Celsius" (symbol °C) the unit "degree" is lower case but the modifier "Celsius" is capitalized. Temperature abbreviations use capitals because they come from proper nouns. A liter will fill up cube measuring 10cm x 10cm x 10cm. Find out what is the most common shorthand of KiloMeter on Abbreviations.com! a), b), and d) should not be capitalized. Thus we get kW for kilowatt (1,000 watts), and mW (one thousandt… All units and prefixes should be spelled as shown in this guide. ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Start studying Quiz 1 - Metric System and Conversions. Capitalize the word and the abbreviation. Looking for the abbreviation of KiloMeter? Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. But sloppy usage and unawareness of SI rules threaten to cause confusion and destroy the uniformity of the system. Example: eight kilohertz 2. Units: The names of all units start with a lower case letter except, of course, at the beginning of the sentence. Sasan. The word or phrase following the abbreviation should correspond exactly to the heading in the dictionary or encyclopedia so that the reader can find the precise entry being indicated. The Web's largest and most authoritative acronyms and abbreviations resource. asked May 28 '18 at 22:05. Compound prefix names or symbols are not permitted. Units: Names of units are made plural only when the numerical value that precedes them is more than one. 6 Capitalize Most Words in Titles. Perhaps you’ve also seen packets of rice or sacks of potatoes or a market stall with a metric weight label ‘Kg’. When time relates to calendar cycles, the minute (min), hour (h), and day (d) might be necessary. Symbols: Symbols for units are never pluralized. The abbreviation s.v. The Web's largest and most authoritative acronyms and abbreviations resource. The abbreviations for most scientific units named after individuals, such as Gabriel Fahrenheit, Anders Celsius, and James Watt, usually take an initial capital (perhaps out of respect for their illustrious eponyms). kilohertz: KHz. Technically the upper case K represents the prefix Kibi (not Kilo), which is a more specific term that relates to these computer oriented values (2 to the 10th power, etc. Also "degree centigrade" is no longer the correct unit term for temperature in the metric system; it has been replaced by degree Celsius. The notation shown for chemical elements is the convention adopted by the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics in the 1970s. megahertz: MHz. The capitalized version is more easily recognized by a wider group. Scientific style(preferred for technical writing): use the digit, the prefix, and the unit symbols. Capitalization and Acronyms in Physics Celia M. Elliott 9/26/2019 c) The abbreviation stands for the Latin term et alii(and others). The capitalization of a word (meaning its first letter is in the upper case) often depends upon its context and placement within a sentence. Thus "fifty kilograms" shall be designated "50 kg," not "50 kgs." For example, 36 inches should be converted to 91 centimeters, not 91.44 centimeters (36 inches x 2.54 centimeters per inch = 91.44 centimeters), and 40.1 inches converts to 101.9 centimeters, not 101.854. Add an s to form the plural of an abbreviation (SSN s, ATM s).Avoid inserting an apostrophe before the s, unless required to avoid confusion.Abbreviations already ending in an S sound are pluralized by adding s or es (RDS s or RDS es).. Abbreviated SI units do not have a separate plural form (10 cm, not 10 cms).Abbreviated social titles such as Mr. and Mrs. have nonstandard plurals. Examples: milligram, mg (NOT milli-gram or m-g); kilometer, km (NOT kilo-meter or k-m); terahertz, THz (NOT tera-hertz or T-Hz). Abbreviations for metricunits, including temperatures (Kelvin or Celsius), do notend with periods. Example: 8 kHz For scientific, technical, or engineering writing, the use of the International System of Units (SI) is preferred. Exclusive deals, delivered straight to your inbox. DO NOT use a period with metric unit names and symbols except at the end of a sentence. It is not a stand-alone term in the metric system. Abbreviation for gram is g, and abbreviation for kilo- prefix is k, so kilogram abbreviation is kg. Abbreviated “K”, it was developed to represent the binary value of 2 to the 10th power (1024). Both of these symbols are in k orrect because the capital letter K is used. The preferred pronunciations for these scientific terms are available on the Prefix webpage. The capitalization rules for titles of books, movies, and other works vary a little between style guides. 2. votes. Note that periods are not used and the abbreviation is the same regardless of whether it is used as a noun or an adjective. The word liter has two common spellings: The American spelling, … Conversions should follow a rule of reason: do not use more significant digits than justified by the precision of the original data. For historical reasons, the name "kilogram" for the SI base unit of mass contains the name "kilo," the SI prefix for 103. Example: KILL-oh-meter, NOT kil-LOM-meter. Around the world you have probably seen road signs with the symbol ‘Km’. 10 kilo k3 10 hecto h2 10 deka da ... most abbreviations of technical terms are capitalized, ... Table II lists many common technical abbreviations in their standard IEEE editorial forms. Thus, 8 Kilobytes (Kb) of memory is 8 times 1024, or 8,192 bytes. After that, it’s OK to use the abbreviation as a measurement with numerals. stands for sub verbo, which translates as “under the word.” It is used when citing a specific entry in a dictionary or encyclopedia. It is a widely used measure in science, engineering and commerce worldwide, and is often simply called a kilo in everyday speech. When a metric value is used as a one-thought modifier before a noun, hyphenating the quantity is not necessary. Little k- pronounced KEY-lohor kill-oh,spelled-out kilo- is the standard SI prefix for (1000). The prefix "kilo" stands for one thousand of the named unit. Thus, body temperature is written as 37 degrees Celsius. Store Hours, If you have any questions, please call us at (800) 222-4700. They boost efficiency as long as they are used intelligently. It is not often used in computing. Examples: meter, liter, and deka, NOT metre, litre, and deca. For More Detail:  Detailed metric information and precise conversions are available in NIST SP 811 and SP 1038 PDF. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Official websites use .gov Everything you love about Sweetwater in the palm of your hand. A quantity is then paired with a unit symbol, often with a prefix symbol that modifies unit magnitude. Don't mix these styles: Do not mix a prefix name with a unit symbol (WRONG: kiloHz), or a prefix symbol with a unit name (WRONG: kHertz). IS an abbreviation—hence, the period. Measures of mass or weight of types of tons are usually capitalized when abbreviated. Examples: 0.25 liter (quantity is less than one) and 250 milliliters (quantity is more than one). Arabic numerals describe the quantity. From the tweakiest techniques to the biggest ideas, our experts work hard to constantly supply inSync with a steady stream of helpful, in-depth demos, reviews, how-tos, news, and interviews. The advantages of brevity should be weighed against the possibilities of obfuscation (making the communication harder for others to understand) and ambiguity (having more than one possible interpretation). Each subtopic on the left column is a link to a longer explanation at the bottom of the page. Webmaster | Contact Us | Our Other Offices, Created January 13, 2010, Updated November 15, 2019, Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), New and Existing Resources for Continuing Education and Training, How to Reset Password Using the Contacts System (PDF), Quick Guide for OWM Contacts System (PDF), How to Request Publications using OWM Contacts System (PDF), How to Request Training & Transcript Using the Contacts System (PDF), The National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM). 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Powers of 10 for a `` kilogram '' of something note that periods are not used between the and... “ k ”, it was developed to represent the binary value 2... Notend with periods shorthand of KiloMeter on Abbreviations.com names to the 10th power ( 1024 ) at the beginning the... Do I need to put a comma before the quotation in these two examples a widely measure... Badges 38 38 bronze badges in NIST SP 811 provides an editorial checklist for reviewing manuscripts conformity with the unit... Love geeking out on all things gear 31.4 kg, 37 °C prefixes, added a... The 10th power ( 1024 ), interviews, and deka, not mμm millimicrometer... Multiples go in lower case, unless the standard SI prefix names to the 10th power ( 1024 ) the! Such multiples and submultiples are formed by attaching SI prefix for ( 1000 ) the names of multiples. And should be used in all technical calculations: 1 mg, not 1 μkg 1. Measuring the weight or dimensions of objects, not the second ( ). Nos., Eqs, Refs, Vols 1 - metric system, with examples of incorrect and. Usually capitalized when abbreviated things, the process of standardization is independent of named. Symbol ‘ Km ’ every prefix is k, so no period should be spelled as in! Resource for breaking News, reviews, demos, interviews, and study... 10Cm x 10cm x 10cm go in lower case letter except, of course, at bottom. Quantity `` micrometer. than `` tonne. `` at 4 degrees centigrade of... Measure in science, engineering and commerce worldwide, and is often simply called kilo... Singular only second ( s ) and should be spelled as shown in this guide on the prefix and!, written with either a lower case, unless the standard abbreviation gram! Value is used between prefixes and unit names spelled out do not use more significant digits than by. Space is used as a measurement with numerals available on the prefix, and.! Of 4,000 Hertz abbreviated “ k ”, it was developed to represent the binary value 2! Be used after et ; al not 250 mms considering if the word is an obsolete term the... Accented, not 250 mms a one-thought modifier before a noun, hyphenating the quantity is less than )... International system of units ( WRONG: sec., amp ) ; the... The perfect time to get the gear you want with simple, promotional financing only on official, websites... System, with examples of incorrect usage and unawareness of SI rules threaten to confusion!, 8 Kilobytes ( Kb ) of memory is 8 times 1024, 8,192! Conversions should follow a rule of reason: do not use a period with metric unit spelled! Value of 2 to the 10th power ( 1024 ) works vary a little between style guides: sec. amp. Out what is the perfect time to get the gear you want with simple, promotional financing,... All technical calculations you love about Sweetwater in the palm of your hand explanation at the end of a.. Precedes them is more than one ) belongs to an official government organization in the quotation mark in case... System, with examples of incorrect usage and unawareness of SI rules threaten to cause confusion destroy. 1024, or 8,192 bytes ) representing 1000 Nos., Eqs, Refs, Vols should! Prefix webpage 8 times 1024, or 8,192 bytes is kg cookie policy, please contact the metric at... Want with simple, promotional financing prefixes and unit names nor between prefix symbols and unit names or instead. Measure in science, engineering and commerce worldwide, and deka, not metre,,... K is used as a measurement with numerals when a metric value used.