Constant Value Dimension Alias Definition & Notes

Universal constants 
Speed of Now assigned (see
2.997 924 580 e+8  m.s-1 m/s 
light c  SI units) 
Gravitation
6.67428[67] e-11  kg-1.m3.s-2  
force = G M1M2 / r122
constant G 
Planck 6.626 068 96[33] e- = energy quantum /
kg.m2.s-1 J.s 
constant h  34  frequency
Angular
1.054 571 628[53] e-
Planck kg.m2.s-1 J.s  h/2π
34 
constant 
Planck mass
2.176 44[11] e-8  kg  kg  mp2 = (h/2π) c / G 
mp 
Planck time
5.391 24[27] e-44  s  s  = (h/2π) / (mpc2)
tp 
Planck
1.616 252[81] e-35  m  m  = ctp 
length lp 
Planck
1.416 785[71] e+32  K  K  = mpc2 / k
temperature 
Hubble Universe expansion
2.26[23] e-18  s-1  
constant  rate
Electromagnetic constants 
Permeability
H/m |
of vacuum 12.566 370 614... e-7  kg.m.s-2.A-2 = 4π.10-7. Assigned.
N/A2
μ0 
Permittivity
8.854 187 817... e-12  kg-1.m-3.s4.A2 F/m  = 1 / (c2 μ0). Assigned.
of vacuum ε0 
Impedance
Assigned by Z02 =
of vacuum 376.730 313 461 ...  kg.m2.s-3.A-2 Ω 
μ0/ε0.
Z0 
Elementary 1.602 176 487[40] e-
s.A  C   
charge e  19 
Charge/Qua 2.417 989 454[60]
kg-1.m-2.s2.A A/J  = e / h 
ntum ratio  e14 
Quantum/Ch 4.135 667 33[10] e-
kg.m2.s-2.A-1 J/A  = h / e 
arge ratio  15 
Fine
7.297 352 5376[50] Dimensionles   = μ0 c e2 / 2h. July
structure
e-3  s  2006 [1].
constant α 
Inverse of  
= 1/α = 2h / (μ0 c e2).
fine Dimensionles
137.035 999 679[94]   
Updated July 2006
structure s 
[1].
constant
Magnetic
2.067 833 667[52] e-
flux kg.m2.s-2.A-1 Wb  = h / 2e 
15 
quantum Φ0 
Conductance 7.748 091 7004[53]
kg-1.m-2.s3.A2 S  = 2e2 / h
quantum G0  e-5 
Inverse of
1.290 640 377 87[88]
conductance kg.m2.s-3.A-2 Ω  = RK / 2  
  e+4 
quantum
= 2e / h 
Josephson
4.835 978 91[12] e14  kg-1.m-2.s2.A Hz/V  conventional:
constant KJ 
483597.9 GHz/V
= h / e2 
von Klitzing 2.581 280 755 7[18] 2 -3 -2  
kg.m .s .A Ω conventional:
constant RK  e+4 
25812.807 Ω
Electron and atomic physics constants 
0.510 998 910[13]
Electron rest 9.109 382 15[45] e- MeV 
kg  kg 
mass me  31  5.485 799 094 2[23] e-
4u
Electron
- 1.758 820 150[44]
charge/mass kg-1.s.A C/kg  = e / me 
e11 
ratio 
Compton
2.426 310 217 5[33]
wavelength m  m  λC,e = h / c me 
e-12 
of electron 
Classical
2.817 940 289 4[58]
electron m  m  = e2 / (4πε0mec2 )
e-15 
radius re 
Thomson
0.665 245 855 8[27]
cross section m2 m2 = (8π/3) re2
e-28 
σe 
Quantum of 3.636 947 519 9[50] m2.s-1 m2/s = h / 2me 
circulation  e-4 
Bohr 9.274 009 15[23] e-
m2.A J/T  = 2π h e / me 
magneton μB  24 
Electron Dimensionles
1/2     
spin Se  s 
Electron
- 9.284 763 77[23] e- Last update July
magnetic m2.A J/T 
24  2006 [2] 
moment μe 
Electron g- - 2.002 319 304 362 Dimensionles  
= μe / (Se μB). 
factor  2[15]  s 
Electron/Pro
ton  
Dimensionles
magnetic - 658.210 684 8[54]     
s 
moments
ratio
Electron/Shi
eled proton  
Dimensionles In water; standard
magnetic - 658.227 597 1[72]   
s  conditions
moments
ratio
Electron
28.024 953 64[70]
gyromagneti kg-1.s.A Hz/T  γe = μe / h Se 
e+9 
c ratio γe 
Rydberg 1.097 373 156 852
m-1 m-1 = c α2 me / 2h 
constant R∞  7[73] e+7 
Hartree 4.359 743 94[22] e-
kg.m2.s-2 J  = α2 me c2 = 2h c R∞ 
energy EH  18 
5.291 772 08 59[36]
Bohr radius  m  m  = α / (4π R∞) 
e-11 
Physico-chemical constants 
Atomic mass 1.660 538 782[83] e- Mass of 12C nuclide /
kg  kg 
constant u  27  12
Molar mass
12 e-3  kg  kg  Assigned 
of  12C 
Molar mass
1 e-3  kg.mol-1 kg/mol  Assigned 
constant 
Boltzman Sets thermodynamic
1.380 6504[24] e-23  kg.m2.s-2.K-1 J/K 
constant k  temp. 
 = k/e.  
Boltzman
kg.m2.s-3.A- Electrochemical
constant in 86.173 43[15] e-6  1 V/K 
.K-1 potential is ~ (k/e)T
eV/K 
ln(c1/c2)
Avogadro's 6.022 141 79[30] Particles in a mole of
mol-1 mol-1
number NA  e+23  substance 
Molar
3.990 312 682 1[57] kg.m2.s-1.mol-
Planck J.s/mol  = h NA 
e-10  1
constant 
Molar
Planck kg.m3.s-2.mol-
0.119 626 564 72[17]  1 J.m/mol  = h c NA 
constant by
c 
Electron 5.485 799 094 3[23]
kg.mol-1 kg/mol  = me NA 
molar mass  e-7 
Electron
-9.648 533 99[24]
molar s.A.mol-1 C/mol  = e NA. 
e+4 
charge 
Faraday = |electron molar
9.648 533 99[24] e+4  s.A.mol-1 C/mol 
constant F  charge|. 
Molar gas kg.m2.s-2.K-
8.314 472[15]  J/K.mol  = k NA 
constant R  1
.mol-1
Molar
= (RT/p) 
volume     3 -1 3
22.413 996[39] e-3 m .mol m /mol at T=273.15 K,
of ideal gas
p=101325 Pa 
Vm
= NA / Vm 
Loschmidt   -3 -3
2.686 777 4[47] e25 m m at T=273.15 K,
constant n0 
p=101325 Pa
Sackur-
(5/2)+ln[(2πmukT/h2)3/2
Tetrode   Dimensionles  
- 1.151 704 7[44] (kT/p)]
constant s 
at T=1K, p=100 kPa.
S0/R 
Radiation constants 
Stefan-
W/m2.K
Boltzmann 5.670 400[40] e-8  kg.s-3.K-4 4 = 2 π5 k4 / 15 h3 c2 
const. σ 
1st radiation 3.741 771 18[19] e-
kg.m4.s-3 W.m2 = 2 π h c2 
constant c1  16 
2nd
radiation 1.438 775 2[25] e-2  m.K  m.K  = h c / k 
constant c2 
Wien
= λmaxT = c2 /
displacement 2.897 768 5[51] e-3  m.K  m.K 
4.9651423... 
const. 
Conventional constants 
Standard
Assigned. Called 1 g
gravity 9.806 65  m.s-2 m/s2
(gee).
acceleration 
Standard Assigned. Called 1
101 325  Pa   
atmosphere  atm.
Molar mass
0.001  kg.mol-1 kg/mol  Assigned (exact) 
constant 
Molar mass
0.012  kg  kg  Assigned (exact) 
of  12C 
SI conversion factors 
1.602 176 487[40] e-
Electron volt  kg.m2.s-2 J   
19 
Astronomica 1.495 978 70[30] Mean Earth-to-Sun
m  m 
l unit ua, au  e+11  distance 
Atomic mass
1.660 538 782[83] e- Mass of 12C nuclide /
constant u, kg  kg 
27  12 
mu 
Nuclear and particle physics constants 
Fermi
= (1.026 8365[88] e-5)
coupling 3.670 336[31] e+48  kg-2  
/ mp2
GF/(hc/2π)3
Fermi
coupling in 1.166 37[1] e+4  eV-2    

eV-2 
Weak
Dimensionles
mixing angle 0.222 55[56]   
= 1- (mW/mZ)2
s 
sin2θW 
938.272 013[23] MeV 
Proton rest 1.672 621 637[83] e-    
kg kg 1.007 276 466 77[10]
mass mp  27 
u
Nuclear 5.050 783 24[13] e-
m2.A J/T  = 2π h e / mp 
magneton μN 27 
 

Nuclear
= μN/h = [Larmor
magneton in 7.622 593 84[19] e+6  kg-1.s.A Hz/T 
freq.]/[g-factor]. 
Hz/T 
Compton
1.321 409 844 6[19]
wavelength m  m  λC,p = h / c mp 
e-15 
of proton 
Proton
1.410 606 662[37] e-
magnetic m2.A J/T  μp 
26 
moment 
Proton g- Dimensionles
5.585 694 713[46]   
= μp / (Sp μN) 
factor  s 
Proton
gyromagneti 42.577 482 1[11] e+6  kg-1.s.A Hz/T  γp = μp / h Sp. 
c ratio 
Proton
gyromagneti
In H2O,  standard
c 42.576 388 1[12] e+6  kg-1.s.A Hz/T 
  conditions
ratio shielde
d
Proton
Dimensionles
magnetic 25.694[14] e-6   
Relative value 
s 
shielding 
Proton rms
charge 0.8768[69] e-15  m  m   

radius 
939.565 346[23] MeV 
Neutron rest 1.674 927 211[84] e-
kg  kg  1.008 664 915 97[43]
mass mn  27 
u
Compton
1.319 590 895 1[20]
wavelength m  m  λC,n = h / c mn 
e-15 
of neutron 
Neutron
- 0.966 236 41[23] e-
magnetic m2.A J/T  μn 
26 
moment 
Neutron g- Dimensionles
-3.826 085 45[90]   
= μn / (Sn μN) 
factor  s 
Neutron 29.164 695 4[69] e+6  kg-1.s.A Hz/T  γn = μn / h Sn 
gyromagneti
c ratio 
105.658 3668[38]
Muon rest 1.883 531 30[11] e-    
kg kg MeV 
mass  28 
0.113 428 925 6[29] u
Muon
-4.490 447 86[16] e-
magnetic m2.A J/T   
26 
moment 
Muon g- Dimensionles
-2.002 331 841 4[12]     
factor  s 
Muon
gyromagneti 135.538 817[12] e+6  kg-1.s.A Hz/T  = μn / h Sn 
c ratio 
Tau rest 1776.99[29] MeV, 
3.167 77[52] e-27  kg  kg 
mass  1.907 68[31] u
1875.612 793[47]
Deuteron 3.343 583 20[17] e- MeV 
kg  kg 
rest mass  27  2.013 553 212 724[78]
u
Deuteron
0.433 073 465[11] e-
magnetic m2.A J/T   
26 
moment 
Deuteron g- Dimensionles
0.857 438 2308[72]     
factor  s 
Deuteron
gyromagneti 6.535903 e+6  kg-1.s.A Hz/T   

c ratio 
2808.391 383[70]
Helion rest 5.006 411 92[25] e-    
kg kg MeV 
mass  27 
3.014 932 247 3[26] u
Helion
-1.074 5532 982[30]
magnetic m2.A J/T  Shielded 
e-26 
moment 
Helion
32.434 101 98[90]
gyromagneti kg-1.s.A Hz/T  Shielded 
e+6 
c ratio 
α-particle 6.644 656 20[33] e- kg  kg  3727.379 109[93]
rest mass  27  MeV 
4.001 506 179 127[62]
 u

Notes:

- Format of numeric values: mantissa[uncertainty][exponent]. The uncertainty is

specified only for experimentally assessed constants and consists in the probable error in
the last two digits of mantissa, enclosed in square brackets. The format of the decadic
exponent is either e+value or e-value. When the exponent specification is missing, e+0 is
intended.
Example: 2.34567[17] e+2 indicates a quantity with the most probable value of 234.567
and an expected error of 0.017.
- Bold magenta values indicate constants whose values are assigned by convention and
therefore are no longer subject to experimental assessment. In particular this applies to
the speed of light which now indirectly defines the meter and permeability of vacuum
which now indirectly defines the ampere. In turn, these determine the permittivity and
characteristic impedance of vacuum, making them assigned as well.
- Bold black values indicate physical constants which can not be directly derived from
the others (in some cases, such choices may be subject to discussion).
- Vertical bar is used to separate various alias expressions for a dimension.
- Classification does not exactly follow NIST standard but reflects the Author's opinions
on what came first - whether the hen or the egg.
- Conventional values:
   a) The conventional (adopted) value of the Josephson constant is used to realize
voltage reference devices [1].
   b) The conventional (adopted) value of the von Klitzing constant is used to realize
electric resistance reference devices [4].
- The value of Hubble constant reported here corresponds to 70±07 (km/s)/Mparsec
which is the latest estimate by the group of W.Freedman in 1999. Values as low as 50
and as high as 82 km/s/Megaparsec were found in earlier measurements but the latest one
is now believed to be in error of not more than 10%. The conversion factor for parsec,
taken from the current NIST database, is 3.085678e+16 m.

Quantity Dimension Alternatives Root definition and Notes

Basic SI quantities 
Length  m  m  meter 
Mass  kg  kg  kilogram 
Time  s  s  second 
Current, electric  A  A  ampere 
Temperature  K  K  kelvin 
Quantity of
mol  mol  mole 
substance 
Luminosity |
cd  cd  candle 
Luminous intensity 
Universal dimensionless quantities 
Ratio of like
1     
quantities 
Relative variation  1   
ΔQ/Q, for any quantity Q. 
Logarithmic scale
d{ln(Q)} = dQ/Q,  for any
differential |  1   
quantity Q.
Relative differential
Probability of an Real number lying in the
1   
event  interval [0,1]. 
Plane angle  1  rad  radian 
Phase angle  1  rad  φ in exp(i(ωt+φ)) 
Solid angle  1  sr  steradian 
Logarithmic ratio log in any Applicable to any ratio of like
1 
logb(A/A')  base b  quantities. 
Logarithmic ratio
1  Np  neper. Uses natural logarithm. 
ln(A/A') 
Ln-scale probability [Probability]/[Natural-
1  Np-1
density  logarithmic ratio] 
decibel. Uses base-10
Logarithmic ratio    
1 dB logarithm. 
Log(P/P')/10 
Applies to power P.
decibel. Uses base-10
Logarithmic ratio logarithm. 
1  dB 
Log(X/X')/20  Applies to voltages (X=V) and
currents (X=I).
Quantities related only to time 
Time | Duration  s  s  second 
Log-scale evolution s-1  
d{ln(Q)}/dt = (dQ/dt)/Q. 
rate | 
Relative evolution
rate
Count rate  s-1  
[Events]/[Time]. 
Activity |
s-1 Bq  bequerel. [Events]/[Time]. 
Radioactivity 
Frequency of waves
s-1 Hz  hertz .
or events 
Frequency drift rate  s-2 Hz.s-1 [ΔFrequency]/[Time]. 
Phase drift rate  s-1 rad.s-1 [Phase angle]/[Time]. 
Angular velocity  s-1 rad.s-1 [Plane angle]/[Time]. 
Angular acceleration  s-2 rad.s-2 [ΔAngularVelocity]/[Time]. 
Used in all branches of
Relaxation time  s   
Science. 
Relaxation rate  s-1  
1/[Relaxation time]. 
Quantities related only to space 
Length  m  m  meter 
Distance | Position in all Euclidean n-dimensional
m   
vector  spaces. 
Area | Cross section  m2  
[Distance]*[Distance]. 
Volume  m3  
[Area]*[Distance] 
of a line in plane/space or
Curvature radius  m   
surface in space 
same as reciprocal space
K-space vector  m-1  
position. 
Convergence  m-1 dioptry  in optics, but not only ... 
In transmition of a radiation
Extinction coefficient  m-1  
through space. 
Wavenumber  m-1  
[Number of waves]/[Distance]. 
Wavelength  m   
[Wave velocity]/[Frequency]. 
Kinematics 
Velocity | Speed  m.s-1  
[Distance]/[Time] 
Steady-state speed of an
Drift speed  m.s-1  
object .
Acceleration, linear  m.s-2  
[ΔVelocity]/[Time] 
Matter distribution and transport 
Mass  kg  kg  kilogram 
Specific density |
kg.m-3  
[Mass]/[Volume]. 
Density of mass 
Specific volume  m3.kg-1  
[Volume]/[Mass]. 
Concentration |  [Quantity]/[Volume]. 
m-3.mol  
Molar concentration Also density of substance
Volume [Volume of substance]/[Total
1  Dimensionless 
concentration  volume] 
Mass | Weight [Mass of substance]/[Total
1  Dimensionless 
concentration  mass]. 
Molar mass  kg.mol-1  
[Mass]/[Quantity] 
Molar density |
Molarity |  m-3.mol  
[Quantity]/[Volume]. 
Molar concentration
Molality  kg-1.mol mol/kg  [Quantity]/[Mass]. 
Molar volume  m3.mol-1  
[Volume]/[Quantity]. 
Mass flow | Mass
kg.s-1  
[ΔMass]/[Time]. 
production rate 
Diffusion coefficient  m2.s-1  
[Distance2]/[Time]. 
Katalytic activity | 
[ΔQuantityOfSubstance]/
Molar production mol.s-1 katal 
[Time]. 
rate
Mechanics 
[Mass]*[Velocity], [Mass
Moment of motion  kg.m.s-1  
flow]*[Distance]. 
newton.
Force  kg.m.s-2 N 
[Mass]*[Acceleration]. 
Moment of force | [Force]*[Distance]. Same as
kg.m2.s-2 N.m 
Torque  [energy]. 
Pressure | Stress |
kg.m-1.s-2 N.m-2, Pa pascal. [Force]/[Area]. 
Tension 
Energy | Lagrangian | joule. [Force]*[Distance],
kg.m2.s-2 N.m, J 
Hamiltonian  [Power]*[Time]. 
Specific energy  m2.s-2 J.kg-1 [Energy]/[Mass]. 
kg.m2.s-
Molar energy  2 J.mol-1 [Energy]/[Quantity]. 
.mol-1
Energy density  kg.m-1.s-2 J.m-3 [Energy]/[Volume]. 
Power | Energy flux  kg.m2.s-3 J.s-1, W  watt. [ΔEnergy]/[ΔTime]. 
Action  kg.m2.s-1 J.s  [Energy]*[Time]. 
Angular moment of [Moment of
kg.m2.s-1 J.s 
motion  motion]*[Distance]. 
Angular moment of
kg.m2  
[Mass]*[Distance2]. 
inertia 
[Angular moment of
Circulation  m2.s-1 J.s.kg-1
motion]/[Mass] 
Spin  1  Dimensionless  of a quantum particle 
Gravity 
Gravitational field
intensity |  m.s-2  
[Force]/[Mass], [Acceleration]. 
Gravity
Gravitational field
m2.s-2  
[Energy]/[Mass].  
potential 
Mechanical properties of matter 
Compressibility |
Bulk modulus |  [Pressure]/([ΔVolume]/
kg-1.m.s2 Pa-1
Compression [Volume]). 
modulus
Young modulus  kg.m-1.s-2 N.m-2, Pa [Stress]/([ΔLength]/[Length]). 
Shear modulus | 
kg.m.s-2 N, N.rad-1 [Force]/[ΔAngle]. 
Modulus of rigidity
Impact | Notch
kg.s-2 J.m-2 [Energy]/[Area] 
resistance 
Hardness  kg.m-1.s-2 N.m-2 [Force]/[Area] 
[Tangential force]/[Normal
Friction coefficient  1  Dimensionless 
force]. 
Self-diffusion
m2.s-1  
[Distance2]/[Time]. 
coefficient 
Surface tension  kg.s-2 N/m  [Force]/[Length]. Same as
 surface energy. 
[Energy]/[Area]. Same as
Surface energy  kg.s-2 J/m2
surface tension. 
Viscosity, dynamic  kg.m-1.s-1 Pa.s  ([Force]/[Area])/[ΔVelocity] 
Viscosity, kinematic  m2.s-1  
[Dynamic viscosity]/[Density] 
[Velocity]*[length]/[Kinematic
Reynolds number  1  Dimensionless 
viscosity] 
Thermodynamics 
Temperature  K  K  kelvin 
Temperature
gradient |  K.m-1  
[ΔTemperature]/[Distance]. 
Thermal gradient
Heat | Internal energy
kg.m2.s-2 J  Same as [energy]. 
| Enthalpy 
[ΔHeat]/[ΔTime]. Same as
Heat flux  kg.m2.s-3 J.s, W 
[power]. 
Heat flux density |
kg.s-3 W.m-2 [Heat flux]/[Area]. 
Irradiance 
Specific 
heat | internal energy m2.s-2 J.kg-1 [Heat]/[Mass]. 
| enthalpy
Molar 
kg.m2.s-
heat | internal energy 2 J.mol-1 [Heat]/[Quantity]. 
.mol-1
| enthalpy
Free energy | Free Helmholtz | Gibbs functions,
kg.m2.s-2 J 
enthalpy  respectively. 
Specific  [Energy]/[Mass]. 
free energy | free m2.s-2 J.kg-1 Also specific Helmholtz |
enthalpy Gibbs functions.
Molar 
kg.m2.s- [Energy]/[Quantity]. 
free energy | free 2 J.mol-1
.mol-1 Molar versions of the above.
enthalpy
Heat capacity  kg.m2.s-2.K-1 J.K-1 [ΔHeat]/[ΔTemperature]. 
Entropy  kg.m2.s-2.K-1 J.K-1 [ΔHeat]/[Temperature]. 
Specific entropy  m2.s-2.K-1 J.K-1.kg-1 [Entropy]/[Mass]. 
 kg.m2.s-2.K-
Molar entropy  1 J.K-1.mol-1 [Entropy]/[Quantity]. 
.mol-1
Thermodynamic properties of matter 
Thermal expansion ([ΔLength]/[Length])/
K-1  
coefficient  [Temperature]. 
[Heat
Thermal | Heat -3 -1 -1 -1
kg.m.s .K W.m .K flux]/([Distance]*[ΔTemperatu
conductivity 
re]). 
Thermal diffusivity  m2.s-1  
([∂Temp]/[∂Time])/[∇2Temp].
[Kinematic viscosity]/[Thermal
Prandtl number  1  Dimensionless 
diffusivity]. 
Specific heat capacity  m2.s-2.K-1 J.K-1.kg-1 [Heat capacity]/[Mass]. 
kg.m2.s-2.K-
Molar heat capacity  1 J.K-1.mol-1 [Heat capacity]/[Quantity]. 
.mol-1
Joule-Thomson
kg-1.m.s2.K K.Pa-1 [ΔTemperature]/[ΔPressure]. 
coefficient 
kg.m-1.s-
Pi coefficient, molar  2 J.m-3 [ΔInternalEnergy]/[ΔVolume]. 
.mol-1
Chemical potential, kg.m2.s- [ΔInternalEnergy]/
J.mol-1
molar  2
.mol-1 [ΔQuantityOfSubstance]. 
Electromagnetism 
Current, electric  A  A  ampere 
Current density |
m-2.A  
[Current]/[Area] 
Current intensity 
Charge, electric  s.A  C  coulomb. [Current]*[Time] 
Charge density  m-3.s.A  C.m-3 [Charge]/[Volume] 
Specific charge | 
kg-1.s.A  C.kg-1 [Charge]/[Mass] 
Charge/mass ratio
Molar charge  s.A.mol-1  C.mol-1 [Charge]/[Quantity] 
[Charge]/[Elementary charge
Quantum charge  1  Dimensionless 
quantum] 
Surface density of
m-2.s.A  C.m-2 [Charge]/[Area] 
charge 
W.A-1, J.C-1, volt. [Power]/[Current],
Potential, electric  kg.m2.s-3.A-1
C.F-1, V [Energy]/[Charge] 
Electromotive force
kg.m2.s-3.A-1 V  [ΔPotential] 
(emf) 
Electric dipole
m.s.A  C.m  [Charge]*[Distance] 
moment 
Electric quadrupole
m2.s.A  C.m2 [El.dipole]*[Distance] 
moment 
Resistance  kg.m2.s-3.A-2 V.A-1, Ω  ohm. [ΔPotential]/[Current] 
siemens.
  -1 -2 3 2 -1  
Conductance kg .m .s .A A.V , S [Current]/[ΔPotential]. 
Inverse of resistance.
Capacitance  kg-1.m-2.s4.A2 C.V-1, F  farad. [Charge]/[ΔPotential] 
Electric field strength
|  kg.m.s-3.A-1 V.m-1 [ΔPotential]/[Distance]. 
Electric intensity
Electric field
kg.s-3.A-1 V.m-2 [ΔEl.field strength]/[Distance]. 
gradient 
Electric flux density | 
m-2.s.A C.m-2 [Charge]/[Area]. 
Electric induction
[Charge]/[Area]. 
Electric polarization  m-2.s.A C.m-2
Same as [electric flux density]
Magnetic field
strength |  m-1.A  
[Current]/[Distance]. 
Magnetic intensity
Magnetomotive force
A   
[Current]*[Number fo turms] 
(mmf) 
weber. 
  2 -2 -1 V.s, W.s.A-1,
Magnetic flux kg.m .s .A [ΔPotential]*[Time],
Wb 
[Power]/[dCurrent/dt]
Magnetic flux density
|  kg.s-2.A-1 Wb.m-2, T  Tesla. [Mag.flux]/[Area]. 
Magnetic induction
Magnetic field [ΔMagnetic flux
kg.m-1.s-2.A-1 T.m-1
gradient  density]/[Distance]. 
[Electric field
  -2 -1 -1
Vector potential kg.m.s .A V.s.m , T.m strength]*[Time], 
[Mag.flux density]*[Distance]
Magnetization  m-1.A  
[Magnetic moment]/[Volume]. 
 Same as [magnetic field
strength]
Magnetic dipole
m2.A J.T-1 [Current]*[Area] 
moment 
Magnetic quadrupole
m3.A m.J.T-1 [Magnetic dipole]*[Distance] 
moment 
henry.
Inductance | Mutual V.s.A-1, Wb.A-
kg.m2.s-2.A-2 [ΔPotential]/[dCurrent/dt], 
inductance  1
, H 
[Magnetic flux]/[Current]
[El.field strength]/[Mag.field
Poynting vector  kg.s-3 W.m-2 strength]. 
Same as [irradiance].
[Mag.moment]/[Angular
Gyromagnetic ratio  kg-1.s.A Hz.T-1
moment of motion]. 
[Angular moment of
Magnetogyric ratio  kg.s-1.A-1 T.Hz-1
motion]/[Mag.moment]. 
Current noise,
s.A2 A2/Hz [Current]2/[Bandwidth]
variance nJ2 
Voltage noise,
kg2.m4.s-5.A-2 V2/Hz [Voltage]2/[Bandwidth]
variance nV2 
Electromagnetic properties of matter 
Resistivity  kg.m3.s-3.A-2 Ω.m  [Resistance]*[Length])/[Area]. 
Conductivity  kg-1.m-3.s3.A2 S.m-1 1/[Resistivity]. 
[El.flux density]/[El.field
Permittivity, electric  kg-1.m-3.s4.A2 F.m-1
strength]. 
Dielectric constant |  [Permittivity]/[Permittivity of
1  Dimensionless 
Relative permittivity vacuum]. 
Permeability, [Mag.flux density]/[Mag.field
kg.m.s-2.A-2 N.A-2, H.m-1
magnetic  strength]. 
Relative
[Permeability]/[Permeability of
permeability, 1  Dimensionless 
vacuum]. 
magnetic 
Susceptibility,
1  Dimensionless  [Relative permeability] - 1. 
magnetic 
Characteristic √([Mag.Permeability]/
kg.m2.s-3.A-2 V.A-1, Ω, ohm 
impedance  [El.Permittivity]). 
Electric|Dielectric
kg.m.s-3.A-1 V.m-1 [ΔPotential]/[Distance]. 
strength 
([Angle]/[Length])/[Magnetic
Verdet constant  kg-1.m-1.s2.A1 rad.m-1.T-1
flux density] 
[Energy] needed to remove an
Work function  kg.m2.s-2 J, eV 
electron. 
Seeback coef. |
Thermopower |  kg.m2.s-3.A-
1 V.K-1 [ΔPotential]/[ΔTemperature]. 
Thermoelectric .K-1
power
[Heat
  kg.m2.s-3.A- -1 -1
Thomson coefficient 1 W.K .A flux]/([ΔTemperature]*[Curren
.K-1
t]). 
Peltier coefficient  kg.m2.s-3.A-1 W.A-1, V [Heat flux]/[Current]. 
Piezzoelectric [El.field
kg.m.s-3.A-1 V.m-1
coefficient  strength]/([ΔLength]/[Length]). 
Electrostriction ([ΔVolume]/[Volume])/
kg-2.m-2.s6.A2 m2.V-2
coefficient  [El.field strength]2. 
[Mag.moment]/([Spin].[Bohr
g-factor of a particle  1  Dimensionless 
magneton]) 
Optics 
Convergence  m-1 dioptry  dioptry 
Luminosity |
cd  cd  candle 
Luminous intensity 
lumen. [Luminosity]*[Solid
Luminous flux  cd.sr  lm 
angle] 
Illuminance  cd.sr.m-2 lm.m-2, lx  lux. [Luminous flux]/[Area]. 
Luminance  cd.m-2  
[Luminosity]/[Area] 
Radiance  kg.s-3.sr-1 W.m-2.sr-1 ([Power]/[Area])/[Solid angle]. 
Optical properties of matter 
Extinction coefficient  m-1    

Light speeds ratio (in medium)/

Refractive index  1  Dimensionless 
(in vacuum) 
Specific refractivity  m3.kg-1  
[(r2-1)/(r2+2)]/[Specific
density], 
 where r is refractive index.
Molar refractivity  m3.mol-1  
[(r2-1)/(r2+2)]/[Concentration] 
[ΔRefractive
Dispersivity quotient  m-1  
index]/[ΔWavelength] 
Ratio of differences of
Dispersive power  1  Dimensionless 
refractive indices. 
Abbé number  1  Dimensionless  Inverse of refractive index. 
m-m'= -100.4(S/S'), where
Star magnitude    
1 Dimensionless S,S' are the luminous fluxes of
(astronomy) 
two stars.
Chemistry and physical chemistry. 
Concentration |
Molar density | 
m-3.mol  
[Quantity]/[Volume]. 
Molarity | Density of
substance
Molality  kg-1.mol mol/kg  [Quantity]/[Mass]. 
Katalytic activity | 
Molar production mol.s-1 katal  [Quantity]/[Time]. 
rate
Molar mass  kg.mol-1  
[Mass]/[Quantity] 
Molar charge  s.A.mol-1  C.mol-1 [Charge]/[Quantity] 
Molecular | ionic  [Charge of a molecule or ion]/ 
1  Dimensionless 
quantum charge [Elementary charge quantum]
Ionic strength |  Sum([Conc.]*[Ionic quantum
m-3.mol  
Ionic force charge]2)
[Velocity]/[Electric field
Ion mobility  kg-1.m-1.s2.A m2.s-1.V-1 
strength] .
Steady-state speed of ions in
Drift speed  m.s-1  
electric field .
Effective pressure in real
Fugacity  kg.m-1.s-2 Pa 
gases. 
Osmotic pressure  kg.m-1.s-2 Pa  

Thermodynamic kg.m.s-2.mol- [ΔChemical

N/mol 
force  1
potential]/[Distance] 
Chemico-physical properties of matter 
Molar volume  m3.mol-1  
[Volume]/[Quantity]. 
Chemical potential, kg.m2.s- [ΔInternalEnergy]/
J.mol-1
molar  2
.mol-1 [ΔQuantityOfSubstance]. 
Solubility, molar  m-3.mol  
[Quantity]/[Volume]. 
Reduction | Redox
kg.m2.s-3.A-1 V   
potential 
kg- [El.conductivity]/
Molar conductivity  1 3 S.m2.mol-1
.s .A2.mol-1 [Concentration]. 
[Relaxation
Molar relaxivity  m3.s-1.mol-1  
rate]/[Concentration]. 
Ebullioscopic
kg.mol-1.K K/(mol/kg)  [ΔTemperature]/[Molality]. 
constant 
Cryoscopic constant  kg.mol-1.K K/(mol/kg)  [ΔTemperature]/[Molality]. 
van der Waals
kg.m5.s-2 Pa.m6 a in (p+a/V2)(V-b)=RT.
constant: a 
van der Waals
m3  
b in (p+a/V2)(V-b)=RT.
constant: b 
van der Waals virial kg-1.m5.s-   A in p=(n/V)RT+(n/V)2(RTB-
constant: A  2
.mol-2 A).
van der Waals virial B in p=(n/V)RT+(n/V)2(RTB-
kg-1.m3.mol-1  
constant: B  A).
A in
Virial coefficient: kg.m5.s- -3 -2
Pa.(mol.m ) p=(n/V)RT+A(n/V)2+B(n/V)3+
second  2
.mol-2
C(n/V)4.
B in
Virial coefficient: kg.m8.s-
Pa.(mol.m-3)-3 p=(n/V)RT+A(n/V)2+B(n/V)3+
third  2
.mol-3
C(n/V)4.
C in
Virial coefficient: kg.m11.s-
Pa.(mol.m-3)-4 p=(n/V)RT+A(n/V)2+B(n/V)3+
fourth  2
.mol-4
C(n/V)4.
Radiation and radioactivity. 
Activity |
s-1 Bq  bequerel. [Events]/[Time]. 
Radioactivity 
Irradiance  kg.s-3 W.m-2 [Power]/[Area]. 
Absorbed dose  m2.s-2 J.kg-1, Gy  gray. [Energy]/[Mass]. 
Absorbed dose rate  m2.s-3 Gy.s-1 [Absorbed dose]/[Time]. 
Absorbed dose sievert.
m2.s-2 J.kg-1, Sv 
equivalent  [const].[Energy]/[Mass]. 
[Charge]/[Mass]. For ionising
Exposure  kg-1.s.A C.kg-1
radiations. 
Radiation properties of matter 
typically of a radioactive
Half life  s   
substance 
Informatics 
bit; the elementary information
Information  bit-1 bit 
quantum. 
Baud rate |
bit.s-1 Baud  baud. [Information]/[Time]. 
Information flux 
Operators 
d/dt  s-1    

dp/dtp s-p  
For p = 1,2,3,... 
∇ | div | grad | rot | Any derivative with respect to
m-1  
curl  a distance. 
∇2 | Laplacian |
m-2    
D'Allembertian
dp/drp m-p  
For p = 1,2,3,... [r] is a Length. 

Table I. Basic Units

defined by Conférence Générale des Poids et Mesures (CGPM) in the latest SI-brochure
of 1998.
Quantity Unit Symbol Definition
1983, 17th CGPM:  The path travelled by
light in vacuum during a time interval of
Length  meter  m 
1/299792458 seconds. This fixes the speed
of light to exactly 299792458 m/s.
1901, 3rd CGPM:  Mass of the platinum-
Mass  kilogram  kg 
iridium prototype at BIPM in Sevres.
 1968, 13th CGPM:  On second equals
9192631770 periods of the radiation due to
Time  second  s 
the transition between the two hyperfine
levels of the ground state of Cesium 133.
1948, 9th CGPM:  Given two parallel,
rectilinear conductors of negligible circular
cross-section positioned 1 m apart in
vacuum, one ampere is the electric current
Electric current  ampere  A  which, passing through both of them, makes
them attract each other by the force of 2.10-
7
newtons per every meter of length. This
fixes the permeability of vacuum to exactly
2π*10-7 H/m.
1968, 13th CGPM:  One degree K equals
     
Temperature kelvin K 1/273.16 of the thermodynamic temperature
of the triple point of water.
1971, 14th CGPM:  The amount of a
substance composed of as many specified
Quantity of substance  mole  mol 
elementary units (molecules, atoms) as
there are atoms in 0.012 kg of Carbon 12.
1979, 16th CGPM:  The candle (or candela)
is the luminous intensity, in a given
direction, of a source that emits
Luminosity  candle  cd 
monochromatic radiation of frequency
540.1012 hertz and that has a radiant
intensity in that direction of 1/683 W/sr.
Table II. Derived units with assigned names

defined by BIPM in the latest SI-brochure (1998) and its supplement (2000).
Quantity Unit Symbol Equals Definition / Note
Space and time:
The plain angle which,  when
centered in a circle, cuts off an
Plane angle  radian  rad   
arc whose length is equal to
the circle radius.
The solid angle which,  when
centered in a sphere, cuts off a
Solid angle  steradian  sr   
cap whose surface equals that
of a square having the radius
as side.
Frequency  hertz  Hz  1 s-1 [number of events or
 cycles]/[time]. 
Mechanics:
Force  newton  N  1 kg.m.s-2 [mass].[acceleration]. 
Pressure  pascal  Pa  1 N.m-2 [force]/[area]. Also: stress. 
[force].[length]. Also: Work,
Energy  joule  J  1 N.m 
Heat 
[energy]/[time]. Also: Radiant
Power  watt  W  1 J.s-1
flux 
Thermodynamics:
T [oC] = T [K] -273.15 (the
Temperature  celsius  o
C  1 K 
offset is exact!). 
Electromagnetism:
Charge  coulomb  C  1 A.s  [current].[time]. 
[power]/[current]. Only
Potential  volt  V  1 W.A-1
differences are measurable! 
Resistance  ohm  Ω  1 V.A-1 [Δpotential]/[current]. 
Conductance  siemens  S  1 A.V-1 [current]/[Δpotential]. 
Capacitance  farad  F  1 C.V-1 [charge]/[Δpotential]. 
[Δpotential]/[rate of change of
Inductance  henry  H  1 V.s.A-1
current]. 
Magnetic flux  weber  Wb  1 J.A-1 [energy]/[current]. 
[magnetic flux]/[area]. Also
Magnetic flux density  tesla  T  1 Wb.m-2
magnetic induction. 
Optics:
Luminous flux  lumen  lm  1 cd.sr  [luminosity].[solid angle]. 
Illuminance  lux  lx  1 lm.m-2 [luminous flux]/[area]. 
Convergence  dioptry  dioptry  1 m-1 Inverse of focal length. 
Radioactivity and radiation:
[number of decay
Activity  becquerel  Bq  1 s-1
events]/[time]. 
Absorbed dose  gray  Gy  1 J.kg-1 [energy]/[mass]. 
Dose equivalent  sievert  Sv  1 J.kg-1 [energy]/[mass]. Absorbed
dose re-normalized by
 biological effects. 
Chemistry:
Katalytic activity  katal  kat  1 mol.s-1 [quantity of substance]/[time]. 
Table III. SI Units prefixes

with examples of correct usage.

Prefix Symbol Factor Examples of usage Origin
Yotta  Y  1024 0.2 YW, 1.23Y [W]  Greek 'octo' (eight, 10008)
Zetta  Z  1021 3.33 Zs, 3.33Z [s]  French 'sept' (seven, 10007)
Exa  E  1018 1.23 Ekg, 1.23E [kg]  Greek 'six' (10006)
Peta  P  1015 7.5 Ps, 7.5P [s]  Greek 'five' (10005)
Tera  T  1012 0.5 Tm, 0.5T [m]  Greek 'teras' = monster 
Giga  G  109 1.2 GΩ, 1.2G [Ω]  Greek 'gigas' = giant 
Mega  M  106 7 MW, 7M [W]  Greek 'megas' = large 
Kilo  K, k  103 33 km, 33K [m]  Greek 'kilioi' = thousand 
hecto  h  100  Deprecated by SI  Greek 'hekaton' = hundred 
deca  da  10  Deprecated by SI  Greek 'deka' = ten 
deci  d  0.1  Deprecated by SI  Latin 'decima pars' = one tenth 
centi  c  0.01  Deprecated by SI  Latin 'centesima pars' = one hundredth 
milli  m, k  10-3 22 mm , 1.2m [m]  Latin 'millesima pars' = one thousandth 
micro  µ, u  10-6 2.7 uJ , 2.7µ [J]  Greek 'mikros' = small 
nano  n  10-9 2.2 nF, 2.2n [F]  Latin 'nanus' = dwarf 
pico  p  10-12 1.5 pA, 1.5p [A]  Spanish 'pico' = minimal measure 
Danish and Norvegian 'femten' = fifteen
femto  f  10-15 4.8 fs, 4.8f [s] 
(10-15)
Danish and Norvegian 'atten' = eighteen
atto  a  10-18 1.2 ag, 1.2a [g] 
(10-18)
zepto  z  10-21 0.2 zm, 1.2z [m]  French 'sept' (seven, 1000-7)
yocto  y  10-24 1 ys, 1y [s]  Greek 'octo' (eight, 1000-8)
Table IV. Accepted non-SI units

compiled according to the US Federal Register (ref.4).

Unit of Symbol Equals Definition / Note
Degree of
plain angle  o
(π/180) rad   
arc 
Minute of
plain angle  '  (1/60) o  
arc 
Second of
plain angle  "  (1/60)'   
arc 
Minute  time  min  60 s   

Hour  time  h  60 min   

Notice that the duration of a day is not

Day  time  d  24 h 
linked to Earth motion! 
Often used sub-units are deciliter (dl)
Liter  volume  L, l  0.001 m3
and centiliter.(cl). 
A tolerated anomaly: the basic unit of
Gram  mass  g  0.001 kg 
mass (kg) has a prefix. 
Ton  mass  t  1000 kg  More precise term: metric ton. 
The smallest, dimensionless quantum
Bit  information  bit  - 
of information 
Baud rate  info flux  Baud  1 bit.s-1 [amount of information]/[time] 
Measure of a ratio A/B. The logarithms
Neper  ratio  Np  log(A/B) 
are in base 10. 
Mostly used as decibel (dB): 1 dB =
Bel  ratio  B  0.5 Np 
(1/20) Np. 
Table V. Accepted non-SI units with experimental values.

For the most recent values of these constantly improving units, see Constants of Physics
and Mathematics.
Unit of Symbol Equals Note
Energy to move an
electron across a
Electronvolt  energy  eV  1.60217733(49).10-19 J
potential difference of 1
V. 
Mean distance of the
      +11
Astronomical unit length ua 1.49597870(30).10 m Earth from the Sun.
Also denoted as au. 
1/12 of the rest mass of
Atomic mass unit  mass  u  1.6605402(10).10-27 kg an unbound 12C atom in
ground state. 
 Table VI. Units deprecated by the SI

which are still in current use in most countries.

Unit of Symbol Equals Note
Nautical mile  length  mile  1852 km   

Knot  velocity  knot  1 mile.h-1 A nautical unit. 

Are  area  are  100 m2  

Hectar  area  ha  100 are  10000 m2 

Almost 1 atm = 101325 Pa
Bar  area  bar  100000 Pa 
(an obsolete unit) 
Note: the conversion factor
Calory  energy  cal  4.1868 J 
is fixed by convention. 
Used in atomic and
Ångström  length  Å  10-10 m
molecular physics. 
Used in particle physics
Barn  area  b  10-28 m2
(collision cross-sections). 
Radioactivity and radiation:
Note: the conversion factor
Curie  Radioactivity  b  3.7*10+10 Bq
is fixed by convention. 
Radiation Note: the conversion factor
Röntgen  R  0.000258 Ci.kg-1
dose  is fixed by convention. 
Radiation
Rad  rad  0.01 Gy   
dose 
Equivalent
Rem  rem  0.01 Sv   
dose 
Spelling differences

The symbols of various units are international. This, however, is not true about the names of
the units. Thus, for example, the US meter corresponds to the French metre, Italian metro,
Czech metr, etc. In particular, UK English uses the French spelling. Consequently, the US
terms meter, gram and liter become, respectively, metre, gramm and litre in the British
Commonwealth. Throughout this document, I have used the US spelling.