Units of measurement
We mostly always use the abbreviation of the measurement since they’re more widely recognised and it helps to conserve space.
Don’t pluralise the unit.
With the exception of kilowatt-hour (kWh), don’t add a space between the number and the unit of measurement.
- 10cm
- 99m²
- 9.25 kWh
- 10 centimetres
- 99 sq. m.
- 9.25kWh
The correct abbreviation for units of measurement are:
|
Measurement |
Unit |
Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
|
Area |
square centimetres |
cm² |
|
|
square metres |
m² |
|
|
square kilometres |
km² |
|
Distance or length |
millimetres |
mm |
|
|
centimetres |
cm |
|
|
metres |
m |
|
|
kilometres |
km |
|
|
miles |
mi |
|
Energy unit |
kilowatt-hour |
kWh |
|
Speed |
metres per second |
m/s |
|
|
miles per hour |
mph |
|
Temperature |
degree Celsius |
°C |
|
|
degree Fahrenheit |
°F |
|
Volume |
millilitres |
ml |
|
|
litres |
L |
|
|
cubic metres |
m³ |
|
Weight |
milligrams |
mg |
|
|
grams |
g |
|
|
kilograms |
kg |
|
|
tonnes |
t |
Ranges of measurement
Always try to write out ‘to’ to indicate a range. But if there’s not enough space, use the en dash in place of it.
Add the unit of measurement only once at the end of the range.
- 1 to 99cm²
- 5 – 10L
- 1cm² to 99cm²
- 5L – 10L
Decimals
Use decimals if the measurement isn’t a whole number.
For numbers smaller than 0, use two decimal places with a 0 at the front.
0.25 kWh
.25 kWh
For numbers between 0 and 10, use two decimal places.
1.75km
1.751km
For numbers between 10 and 99, use one decimal place.
21.8m
21.83m
For numbers bigger than 100, don’t use decimal places at all.
192mm
192.2mm