Metric

SI Metric Prefix Hierarchy & BIPM Standards

The Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) defines standard decimal prefixes to express physical quantities across scientific disciplines:

Primary Metric Prefix Steps

• tera- (T): 10^12 = 1,000,000,000,000

• giga- (G): 10^9 = 1,000,000,000

• mega- (M): 10^6 = 1,000,000

• kilo- (k): 10^3 = 1,000

• Base Unit: 10^0 = 1 (meter, gram, liter, watt, volt, joule)

• milli- (m): 10^-3 = 0.001

• micro- (µ): 10^-6 = 0.000001

• nano- (n): 10^-9 = 0.000000001

• pico- (p): 10^-12 = 0.000000000001

How to Use This Calculator

Enter your Numerical Quantity (e.g. 1.0) and Source SI Metric Prefix — choose from kilo- (k) [10³ = 1,000], Base Unit (meter, gram, liter, watt) [10⁰ = 1], milli- (m) [10⁻³ = 0.001]. Results update instantly as you type — adjust any value to compare scenarios.

The Formula

Base value = val * 10^srcExp

Worked Example

1 kilowatt (1 kW) equals 1,000 watts, 0.001 megawatts, and 1,000,000 milliwatts of electrical power.

Understanding Your Result

Unit conversions are exact by definition within a given measurement system (e.g., 1 km = exactly 1,000 m). Cross-system conversions (metric to imperial) use defined exchange factors: 1 inch = exactly 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Round your converted result to match the precision of your original measurement — expressing more decimal places than your input justifies implies false accuracy. For regulatory, legal, or safety-critical applications, verify which measurement system is required by the applicable standard.