The metric system names every multiple with a prefix: kilo for a thousand, milli for a thousandth, micro for a millionth. The same prefixes work for metres, grams, litres, watts, bytes and every other SI unit, so this converter works for any of them.
How to use the Metric Converter
- Pick the unit you are starting from in the From menu and type your value.
- Pick the unit you want in the To menu. The heading changes to match – for example “Kilos to Base Units Converter”.
- The most common value units are shown below at the same time, so you can compare them at a glance.
- Type into any result to convert backwards, then use Copy results – the copied text starts with the heading for your chosen units.
Results update as you type. Everything is calculated in your browser.
How it works
Every value unit is defined by an exact factor relative to the base unit (the base unit). The calculator first turns the value you type into base units, then turns that into the unit you picked in the “To” menu and into each of the common units below it. This two-step method means any unit can be converted to any other – 13 units are available in each menu – and you can type into any field, including a result, to work in the other direction. Changing a unit menu keeps the quantity the same and just re-expresses it, and the page heading and copied results follow your choice.
How to convert value units
- Choose the unit you have in the From menu and type the value, for example 1 kilo (k).
- Choose the unit you want in the To menu, for example base units. The page heading changes to “Kilos to Base Units Converter”.
- The calculator multiplies by the base unit factor of the “from” unit and divides by the factor of the “to” unit: 1 kilo (k) × 1,000 ÷ 1 = 1,000 base unit.
1 kilo in common units
| Unit | Value |
|---|---|
| Base units (base unit) | 1,000 |
| Megas (mega (M)) | 0.001 |
| Centis (centi (c)) | 100,000 |
| Millis (milli (m)) | 1,000,000 |
| Micros (micro (µ)) | 1 × 109 |
| Nanos (nano (n)) | 1 × 1012 |
Kilos conversion table
| Kilos | base unit | mega (M) | centi (c) | milli (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.001 | 1 | 1 × 10-6 | 100 | 1,000 |
| 1 | 1,000 | 0.001 | 100,000 | 1,000,000 |
| 10 | 10,000 | 0.01 | 1,000,000 | 10,000,000 |
| 1,000 | 1,000,000 | 1 | 100,000,000 | 1 × 109 |
Formula
1 kilo (k) = 1,000 base unit1 kilo (k) = 0.001 mega (M)1 kilo (k) = 100,000 centi (c)1 kilo (k) = 1,000,000 milli (m)1 kilo (k) = 1 × 10^9 micro (µ)Worked example
Inputs — From: 1 kilo (k).
Results — To = 1,000 base unit; Megas = 0.001 mega (M); Centis = 100,000 centi (c); Millis = 1,000,000 milli (m); Micros = 1,000,000,000 micro (µ); Nanos = 999,999,999,999.9999 nano (n).
Frequently asked questions
What does kilo mean?
1,000 times the base unit.
What is the difference between milli and micro?
Milli is 10⁻³, micro is 10⁻⁶, a factor of 1,000.
Is a kilobyte 1,000 or 1,024 bytes?
In SI it is 1,000; the binary 1,024-byte unit is the kibibyte (KiB).
How do I change the units?
Pick any unit in the From and To menus. The value is converted in place, and the heading changes to show your conversion, for example “Kilos to Base Units Converter”.
Can I type into any field?
Yes. Every field is editable, so you can start from whichever unit you have.
How many units can I convert between?
13 value units, from the everyday to the specialised.
Which units are exact?
All factors here are exact by definition except astronomical and similar reference values, which use internationally agreed constants.
What formula does the Metric Converter use?
1 kilo (k) = 1,000 base unit.