Appendix: units of measure

This appendix lists units of measure likely to occur in Taligent documentation. For each unit, both the full term and the abbreviation are given, along with notes about restrictions on usage.

Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement. Spell out the abbreviation for a unit of measure at first occurrence in text when the context might be unclear.

In general, when abbreviating units of measure:

Insert a space if the abbreviation is more than a single letter; no space if it's only a single letter.

Put the unit of measure at the end of a range or series.

Do not add an s to form the plural. Both singular and plural forms are encompassed by the abbreviation.

not

Unit	Abbreviation	Notes
bit	b	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
bits per second	bps	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
byte	B	A unit of information consisting of 8 bits; in computer processing and storage, the equivalent of a single character, such as a letter, a numeral, or punctuation.
bytes per second	bytes/s	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
centigrade	C	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
centimeter	cm	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
decibel (dB)	dB	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
dots per inch	dpi	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
Fahrenheit	F	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement. Note capitalization.
gigabit	Gb	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement. Note capitalization.
gigabyte	GB	A unit of measure equal to 1,073,741,824 bytes. Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement. Note capitalization.
gigahertz	GHz	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement. Note capitalization.
hertz	Hz	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement. Note capitalization.
hour	h	(noun) Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
inch	in.	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement. Spell out the word in running text, or use a period after the abbreviation (in.).
kilobit	Kb	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement. Note capitalization.
kilobyte	KB	A unit of measure equal to 1,024 bytes. Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement. Note capitalization.
kilohertz	kHz	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
kilometer	km	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
mega	M	(prefix) Represents one million, that is 1,000,000.
megabit	Mb	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement. Note capitalization.
megabyte	MB	A unit of measure equal to 1,048,576 bytes. Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement. Note capitalization.
megahertz	MHz	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement. Note capitalization.
micro		(prefix) Represents one millionth, that is, 1/1,000,000.
microsecond		Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
miles per hour	mph	Do not use periods with the abbreviation.
milli	m	(prefix) Represents one thousandth, that is 1/1,000.
milligram	mg	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
millimeter	mm	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
millisecond	ms	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
minute	min	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
month	mo	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
nano	n	(prefix) Represents one billionth, that is, 1/1,000,000,000.
nanosecond	ns	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
pico	p	(prefix) Represents one trillionth, that is 1/1,000,000,000,000.
picosecond	ps	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
pound	lb	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
second	s	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
square foot	sq ft	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
square inch	sq in	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
square meter		Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
square mile	sq mi	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
square yard	sq yd	Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement.
tera	T	(prefix) Represents one trillion, that is 1,000,000,000,000.
terahertz	THz	A unit of measure equal to 1,009,511,627,776 bytes. Abbreviate when using with a number to indicate a specific measurement. Note capitalization.
yard	yd	Use the abbreviation when context is clear.

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