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Prefixes Converter

Convert a number between SI metric prefixes, from quecto to quetta, such as kilo to milli or mega to micro.

What this tool does

Convert a number between SI metric prefixes, from quecto to quetta, such as kilo to milli or mega to micro. Type an amount, choose the prefix it is in and the prefix to convert to, and the tool converts it, for example from kilo to base units (no prefix). It offers 25 choices, the base unit with no prefix and the SI prefixes, and also shows the same amount in the others.

Inputs

  • Value: A number.
  • From: Choose one from 25 options, including Quetta, Ronna, Yotta, Zetta, Exa, Peta. Starts as Kilo.
  • To: Choose one of the same 25 units as "From". Starts as Base unit (no prefix).

How to use

  1. Enter the amount you want to convert.
  2. Choose the unit to convert from and the unit to convert to.
  3. Read the result: the converted amount and the same amount in the other units. It appears once every required field has a valid value.

Worked examples

Conversions from kilo to base units (no prefix):

  • 1 k = 1,000 base units (no prefix)
  • 5 k = 5,000 base units (no prefix)
  • 10 k = 10,000 base units (no prefix)
  • 50 k = 50,000 base units (no prefix)
  • 100 k = 100,000 base units (no prefix)

Multiply the number of kilo by 1,000 to get base units (no prefix). Both units are exact definitions, so 1,000 is the exact factor: 1 k = 1,000 base units (no prefix).

Sources: Kilo: SI Brochure, 9th edition (2019, updated 2022), Table 7 (SI prefixes). Base unit (no prefix): SI Brochure, 9th edition (2019, updated 2022), Table 7 (SI prefixes).

Limitations

  • Scales a number between prefixes only. It does not know which physical unit you are using.
  • Binary prefixes such as kibi and mebi are not included. Use the data storage converters for those.

FAQs

Q: How does converting between prefixes work?
A: Each prefix is a power of ten. To go from one prefix to another, multiply by 10 raised to the exponent of the From prefix minus the exponent of the To prefix. For example 5 kilo (10³) in plain units (10⁰) is 5 × 10³ = 5,000, because 3 minus 0 is 3.
Q: What does the base unit option mean?
A: It is the plain unit with no prefix, such as a gram, meter or watt. The tool works for any unit, since the prefix only scales the number.
Q: Are ronna, quetta, ronto and quecto real prefixes?
A: Yes. They were added to the SI in 2022 and cover 10²⁷, 10³⁰, 10⁻²⁷ and 10⁻³⁰.

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