Guidelines for writing units

Rules for writing units

Rule Description Incorrect Format Correct Format
Separate the value and the unit with one space. 3km 3 km
If the value is a fraction, separate numerator and denominator by a forward slash '/' symbol. 3 by 5 km 3/5 km
For multiplying two or more units, put one space or asterisk '*' between them. 5 J-s
5 J . s
5 J s
5 J*s
Separate numerator and denominator of the units using '/' or 'per' symbol. 5 kmperhr 5 km/hr
5 km per hr
For adding dimensions to the unit, use the caret '^' symbol to add both positive and negative powers. 5 kg / m(2)
5 kg / m**2
5 kg m^(-2)
5 kg / m^2
5 kg / m^2
5 kg m^-2
In case of multiple units in the denominator, enclose them within the parenthesis. 5 kg / m * s
5 kg/m*s
5 kg / (m * s)
5 kg / m / s
Write beginning units (like currencies) with or without a space. 5 Rs
5$
5 $
Rs 5
$5
$ 5

Allowable units

Base Unit
Length meter (m), inch (in), foot (ft), yard (yd), mile (mi), link (li), rod (rd), chain (ch), angstrom, mil
Surface area m2, sqin, sqft, sqyd, sqmi, sqrd, sqch, sqmil, acre, hectare
Volume m3, litre (l, L, lt, liter), cc, cuin, cuft, cuyd, teaspoon, tablespoon
Angles rad (radian), deg (degree), grad (gradian), cycle, arcsec (arcsecond), arcmin (arcminute)
Time second (s, secs, seconds), minute (mins, minutes), hour (h, hr, hrs, hours), day (days), week (weeks), month (months), year (years), decade (decades), century (centuries), millennium (millennia)
Frequency hertz (Hz)
Mass kilogram (kg), gram (g), tonne, ton, grain (gr), dram (dr), ounce (oz), poundmass (lbm, lb, lbs), hundredweight (cwt), stick, stone
Electric current ampere (A)
Temperature kelvin (K), celsius (degC), fahrenheit (degF), rankine (degR)
Amount of substance mole (mol)
Luminous intensity candela (cd)
Force newton (N), dyne (dyn), poundforce (lbf), kip
Energy joule (J), erg, Wh, BTU, electronvolt (eV)
Power watt (W), horsepower (hp)
Pressure Pa, psi, atm, torr, bar, mmHg, mmH2O, cmH2O
Electricity and magnetism ampere (A), coulomb (C), watt (W), volt (V), ohm, farad (F), weber (Wb), tesla (T), henry (H), siemens (S), electronvolt (eV)
Binary bit (b), byte (B)
Currency $ (dollar(s), Dollar(s)), ₹ (Rs, Rupee(s), rupee(s)), Cent(s) / cent(s), Paisa / paise