How to convert 1 kilo to 1000 base units?

1 kilo = 1000 base units (10³)

How to convert 1 mega to 1,000,000 base units?

1 mega = 1,000,000 base units (10⁶)

How to convert 1 milli to 0.001 base units?

1 milli = 0.001 base units (10⁻³)

What is the difference between SI (decimal) and binary prefixes?

SI prefixes (kilo, mega, giga) are based on powers of 10 (1000). Binary prefixes (kibi, mebi, gibi) are based on powers of 2 (1024) and are used in computing for memory and data storage. Learn more in our Units Guide.

Why is a kilobyte sometimes 1024 bytes and sometimes 1000 bytes?

Historically, 'kilobyte' was used for 1024 bytes in computing. To avoid confusion, the IEC created the term 'kibibyte' (KiB) for 1024 bytes, reserving 'kilobyte' (KB) for 1000 bytes. This tool can convert between both standards.

How do you convert from giga- to mega-?

Since 'giga' is 1000 times larger than 'mega', you multiply the giga value by 1000 to get the mega value. Formula: mega = giga × 1000. For example, 5 gigabytes is 5000 megabytes.

What comes after tera-?

The SI prefixes continue in multiples of 1000. After tera- (10¹²) comes peta- (10¹⁵), then exa- (10¹⁸), zetta- (10²¹), and yotta- (10²⁴).

What are the small prefixes, like nano- and pico-?

These represent fractions. Milli- is 10⁻³, micro- is 10⁻⁶, nano- is 10⁻⁹, and pico- is 10⁻¹². They are crucial in science and electronics for measuring very small quantities.

Is this prefix converter free to use?

Yes, this tool is completely free for converting between different orders of magnitude for any base unit. Discover more free tools at UnitConvertNow.

Unit Prefixes - Metric Prefixes, SI

SI Decimal Prefixes

Large Units

Tera (T) = 10¹² • Giga (G) = 10⁹ • Mega (M) = 10⁶ • Kilo (k) = 10³

Small Units

Milli (m) = 10⁻³ • Micro (μ) = 10⁻⁶ • Nano (n) = 10⁻⁹ • Pico (p) = 10⁻¹²

Examples

1 GHz = 1,000,000,000 Hz • 5 mm = 0.005 m

Binary Prefixes (Computing)

IEC Standard

Tebi (Ti) = 2⁴⁰ • Gibi (Gi) = 2³⁰ • Mebi (Mi) = 2²⁰ • Kibi (Ki) = 2¹⁰

Traditional Computing

TB = 2⁴⁰ bytes • GB = 2³⁰ bytes • MB = 2²⁰ bytes • KB = 2¹⁰ bytes

Memory Examples

1 GiB = 1,073,741,824 bytes • 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes

About Unit Prefixes

What Are Unit Prefixes?

Unit prefixes are standardized multipliers that modify the magnitude of base units in the International System of Units (SI) and other measurement systems. They allow us to express quantities ranging from the subatomic scale (10⁻²⁴) to cosmic scales (10²⁴) using the same base units, making scientific communication precise and universally understood.

The fundamental principle is simple: a prefix multiplies the base unit by a specific power of 10. For example, the prefix "kilo-" means "×1000," so 1 kilometer equals 1000 meters. This systematic approach eliminates the need for countless different unit names and enables consistent measurement across all scientific disciplines.

Newton's Second Law and Unit Prefixes

Unit prefixes follow a mathematical relationship similar to Newton's Second Law (F = m × a). Just as force equals mass times acceleration, prefix conversion follows the formula:

Value with Prefix = Base Value × 10^{prefix exponent}

For example: 5.2 kilowatts = 5.2 × 10³ watts = 5,200 watts. This exponential relationship allows precise scaling across 48 orders of magnitude using just 24 standard prefixes.

Common Unit Prefixes and Conversions

Prefix	Symbol	Multiplier	Scientific Notation	Example
Yotta	Y	1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000	10²⁴	1 YB = 1 septillion bytes
Zetta	Z	1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000	10²¹	1 ZW = 1 sextillion watts
Exa	E	1,000,000,000,000,000,000	10¹⁸	1 EJ = 1 quintillion joules
Peta	P	1,000,000,000,000,000	10¹⁵	1 PB = 1 quadrillion bytes
Tera	T	1,000,000,000,000	10¹²	1 THz = 1 trillion hertz
Giga	G	1,000,000,000	10⁹	1 GW = 1 billion watts
Mega	M	1,000,000	10⁶	1 MPa = 1 million pascals
Kilo	k	1,000	10³	1 km = 1,000 meters
Milli	m	0.001	10⁻³	1 mm = 0.001 meters
Micro	μ	0.000001	10⁻⁶	1 μm = 0.000001 meters
Nano	n	0.000000001	10⁻⁹	1 nm = 0.000000001 meters
Pico	p	0.000000000001	10⁻¹²	1 ps = 0.000000000001 seconds
Femto	f	0.000000000000001	10⁻¹⁵	1 fm = 0.000000000000001 meters

Types of Unit Prefixes

Prefix Type	Base	Multiplier	Common Applications	Real-World Examples
SI Decimal Prefixes	10	1000×	Science, Engineering, Physics	5.2 kW = 5,200 watts
Binary Prefixes (IEC)	2	1024×	Computer Memory, Storage	1 GiB = 1,073,741,824 bytes
Legacy Binary Prefixes	2	1024×	Older Computing Systems	1 GB = 1,073,741,824 bytes (confusing)
Custom Prefixes	Variable	Custom	Specialized Fields	Decibel (logarithmic scale)

Unit Prefix Measurement Tools

Modern measurement tools and instruments are designed to handle the full range of unit prefixes automatically. These tools ensure accurate conversions and prevent errors in scientific calculations.

Digital Multimeters

Automatically display measurements in appropriate prefixes (mV, μA, kΩ). Modern multimeters can measure from picoamperes to kilovolts with automatic range selection.

Oscilloscopes

Display time and voltage measurements with automatic prefix scaling. Can measure signals from picoseconds to seconds and microvolts to kilovolts.

Spectrum Analyzers

Measure frequency ranges from hertz to terahertz with automatic unit display. Essential for RF and microwave engineering applications.

Data Loggers

Record measurements across multiple prefix ranges simultaneously. Used in environmental monitoring, industrial processes, and scientific research.

Unit Prefixes - Mass - Weight Relationship

The relationship between mass and weight demonstrates how prefixes work with fundamental physical quantities. Weight is calculated using the formula:

W = m × g

Where: W = weight (N), m = mass (kg), g = gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s²)

1 gram (g)

= 0.001 kg

Weight: 0.00981 N

1 kilogram (kg)

= 1 kg

Weight: 9.81 N

1 megagram (Mg)

= 1,000 kg

Weight: 9,810 N

Graph: Unit Prefix Scaling Relationship

The relationship between unit prefixes follows a logarithmic scale, where each step represents a multiplication by the base factor. This creates a predictable pattern across all measurement scales.

Prefix Scaling Diagram

Femto (10⁻¹⁵)→Pico (10⁻¹²)→Nano (10⁻⁹)→Micro (10⁻⁶)→Milli (10⁻³)→Base (10⁰)→Kilo (10³)→Mega (10⁶)→Giga (10⁹)→Tera (10¹²)

Each step represents a 1000× (10³) multiplication factor

Why Unit Prefix Measurement is Important

Accurate unit prefix usage is crucial across multiple industries and scientific disciplines. Proper prefix application ensures precision, prevents costly errors, and enables effective communication between professionals.

Engineering Applications

• Electrical Engineering: Circuit design with microamperes to kiloamperes
• Mechanical Engineering: Stress calculations in megapascals
• Civil Engineering: Load measurements in kilonewtons
• Chemical Engineering: Concentration in parts per million (ppm)
• Computer Engineering: Memory addressing in gigabytes
• Telecommunications: Bandwidth in megabits per second

Safety and Compliance

• Medical Dosage: Precise drug administration in micrograms
• Nuclear Safety: Radiation exposure in millisieverts
• Food Safety: Contaminant levels in parts per billion
• Environmental Monitoring: Air quality in micrograms per cubic meter
• Industrial Safety: Pressure measurements in kilopascals
• Transportation: Speed limits in kilometers per hour

SI vs Binary Prefixes: Key Differences

SI prefixes use powers of 10 (1000) and are the international standard for scientific and engineering measurements. They provide consistent scaling across all physical quantities and are universally recognized.

Binary prefixes use powers of 2 (1024) and are specifically designed for computing applications where data is naturally organized in binary structures. The IEC standard (kibi, mebi, gibi) eliminates confusion between decimal and binary interpretations.

Prefixes Converter