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The kilogram is the only standard unit to include an SI prefix (kilo-) as part of its name. The gram (10 −3 kg) is an SI derived unit of mass. However, the names of all SI mass units are based on gram , rather than on kilogram ; thus 10 3 kg is a megagram (10 6 g), not a * kilokilogram .
For historical reasons, the names and symbols for multiples and sub-multiples of the unit of mass are formed as if the gram were the base unit. Prefix names and symbols are attached to the unit name gram and the unit symbol g respectively. For example, 10 −6 kg is written milligram and mg, not microkilogram and μkg. [1]: 144
The prefix symbols are always prepended to the symbol for the unit without any intervening space or punctuation. [9] This distinguishes a prefixed unit symbol from the product of unit symbols, for which a space or mid-height dot as separator is required. So, for instance, while 'ms' means millisecond, 'm s' or 'm·s' means metre-second.
The different decimal numeral systems of the world use a larger base to better envision the size of the number, and have created names for the powers of this larger base. The table shows what number the order of magnitude aim at for base 10 and for base 1 000 000 .
The quectometre (SI symbol: qm) is a unit of length in the metric system equal to 10 −30 metres. To help compare different orders of magnitude , this section lists lengths shorter than 10 −30 m (1 qm).
The second is a link to the article that details that symbol, using its Unicode standard name or common alias. (Holding the mouse pointer on the hyperlink will pop up a summary of the symbol's function.); The third gives symbols listed elsewhere in the table that are similar to it in meaning or appearance, or that may be confused with it;
Conversions between units in the metric system are defined by their prefixes (for example, 1 kilogram = 1000 grams, 1 milligram = 0.001 grams) and are thus not listed in this article. Exceptions are made if the unit is commonly known by another name (for example, 1 micron = 10 −6 metre).
SI symbol Name Value SI symbol Name 10 −1 g dg decigram 10 1 g dag decagram 10 −2 g cg centigram 10 2 g hg hectogram 10 −3 g mg: milligram: 10 3 g kg: kilogram: 10 −6 g μg: microgram: 10 6 g Mg: megagram: 10 −9 g ng: nanogram: 10 9 g Gg: gigagram: 10 −12 g pg: picogram: 10 12 g Tg: teragram: 10 −15 g fg femtogram 10 15 g Pg ...