Contents

Help:Convert

This help page is a how-to guide. It details processes or procedures of some aspect(s) of Wikipedia's norms and practices. It is not one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, and may reflect varying levels of consensus and vetting.

Shortcut H:CON

Template {{convert}} is used to convert a value from one unit of measurement to another. This page provides an overview of the options available when using the template. See the documentation at Template:Convert for further details.

• Help:Convert units • Simplified list of some commonly used units
• Help:Convert messages • Error and warning messages

• Template talk:Convert • Questions on using the convert template, or discussion of any problems encountered, or proposals to add units or change convert
• Wikipedia:Help desk • General questions
• Module talk:Convert • Discussion concerning the convert modules (however, discussions relating to units should occur at Template talk:Convert)

• Help:Convert units • Overview and simplified list of some commonly used units
• Module:Convert/documentation/conversion data • Full list of units

By default, the name of the input unit is shown, while the output is abbreviated using the unit's symbol. If wanted, names or symbols can be used, and the output precision can be specified.

• {{convert|123.4|ft|m}} → 123.4 feet (37.6 m)
• {{convert|123.4|ft|m|abbr=on}} → 123.4 ft (37.6 m)
• {{convert|123.4|ft|m|abbr=off}} → 123.4 feet (37.6 metres)
• {{convert|123.4|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} → 123.4 feet (37.6 meters)
• {{convert|123.4|ft|m|0}} → 123.4 feet (38 m)
• {{convert|123.4|ft|m|3}} → 123.4 feet (37.612 m)

Feet and inches can be converted, optionally with fractions.

• {{convert|12.34|m|ft}} → 12.34 metres (40.5 ft)
• {{convert|12.34|m|ftin}} → 12.34 metres (40 ft 6 in)
• {{convert|12.34|m|ftin|frac=4}} → 12.34 metres (40 ft 5+3⁄4 in)
• {{convert|40|ft|6|in|m}} → 40 feet 6 inches (12.34 m)
• {{convert|5+3/4|in|mm}} → 5+3⁄4 inches (150 mm)
• {{convert|5+3/4|in|mm|0}} → 5+3⁄4 inches (146 mm)

To avoid overlinking, units are not normally linked, but they can be when needed.

• {{convert|12300|m2|rood|abbr=off|lk=out}} → 12,300 square metres (12.2 roods)
• {{convert|12.2|rood|m2|abbr=off|lk=in}} → 12.2 roods (12,300 square metres)
• {{convert|12300|m2|rood|abbr=off|lk=on}} → 12,300 square metres (12.2 roods)

A convert can be used in an adjectival phrase, and user-specified text can be inserted (e.g. -tall, -long, -high, -wide).

• {{convert|1500|ft|m|adj=on}} → 1,500-foot (460 m)
• {{convert|1500|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} → 1,500-foot-long (460 m)

If no output unit is specified, a default is used.

• {{convert|123.4|ft}} → 123.4 feet (37.6 m)
• {{convert|123.4|ft|abbr=on}} → 123.4 ft (37.6 m)
• {{convert|1500|ft||adj=mid|-long}} → 1,500-foot-long (460 m)

The last example used || to explicitly show that the output unit has been omitted. If that is not done, the result is an error, and holding the mouse over the error message shows that "-long" is misinterpreted as the output unit.

• {{convert|1500|ft|adj=mid|-long}} → 1,500-foot (^{[convert: unknown unit]})

The input and output can be swapped ("flipped").

• {{convert|12300|m2|rood|abbr=off|order=flip}} → 12.2 roods (12,300 square metres)
  

In a flipped conversion, an option such as |lk=out means "link the right-hand side".

• {{convert|12300|m2|rood|abbr=off|lk=out|order=flip}} → 12.2 roods (12,300 square metres)
• {{convert|12300|m2|rood|abbr=off|lk=in|order=flip}} → 12.2 roods (12,300 square metres)
• {{convert|12300|m2|rood|abbr=off|lk=on|order=flip}} → 12.2 roods (12,300 square metres)

The input value can be written out in words.

• {{convert|5|mi|km|spell=in|0}} → five miles (8 km)
• {{convert|5|mi|km|spell=In|0}} → Five miles (8 km)

Ranges of values are supported.

• {{convert|3|-|6|ft}} → 3–6 feet (0.91–1.83 m)
• {{convert|3|to|6|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}} → 3 to 6 feet (0.91 to 1.83 meters)

A range can use more than two values.

• {{convert|100|x|120|x|210|mm|in}} → 100 by 120 by 210 millimetres (3.9 in × 4.7 in × 8.3 in)
• {{convert|100|x|120|x|210|mm|in|abbr=on}} → 100 mm × 120 mm × 210 mm (3.9 in × 4.7 in × 8.3 in)
• {{convert|100|by|120|by|210|mm|in}} → 100 by 120 by 210 millimetres (3.9 by 4.7 by 8.3 in)

Some input units consist of multiple components.

• {{convert|5|ft|8|in}} → 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m)
• {{convert|11|st|3|lb|kg}} → 11 stone 3 pounds (71 kg)

The output can show several different units.

• {{convert|123|nmi|km mi}} → 123 nautical miles (228 km; 142 mi)
• {{convert|123|hPa|psi inHg|abbr=on|lk=on}} → 123 hPa (1.78 psi; 3.6 inHg)

Some outputs give a measurement in multiple units.

• {{convert|123.4|m|ydftin}} → 123.4 metres (134 yd 2 ft 10 in)
• {{convert|123.4|kg|stlb}} → 123.4 kilograms (19 st 6 lb)

Only output multiple codes such as ydftin can be used:

• {{convert|123.4|m|yd ft in}} → 123.4 metres (135.0 yd; 405 ft; 4,860 in)
• {{convert|123.4|m|yardfootinch}} → 123.4 m Error in convert: Unit name "yardfootinch" is not known

By default, the output value is rounded to adjust its precision to match that of the input. An input such as 1234 is interpreted as 1234 ± 0.5, while 1200 is interpreted as 1200 ± 50, and the output value is displayed accordingly, taking into account the scale factor used in the conversion.

If the default is not wanted, the precision of output values can be specified using:

• |N (where N is a number) displays N digits after the decimal mark (round output to N decimal places).
• |-N (where -N is a negative number) replaces N digits before the decimal mark with zero (round output to nearest 10^N).
• |sigfig=N (where N is a positive number) to specify the number of significant digits (round output to N significant figures).
• |round=5 to round the output to the nearest multiple of 5. The round value can be 0.5, 5, 10, 25 or 50.

Examples:

• {{convert|1234|ft|m}} → 1,234 feet (376 m)
• {{convert|1234|ft|m|2}} → 1,234 feet (376.12 m)
• {{convert|1234|ft|m|-1}} → 1,234 feet (380 m)
• {{convert|1234|ft|m|round=5}} → 1,234 feet (375 m)
• {{convert|1234|ft|m|round=10}} → 1,234 feet (380 m)
• {{convert|1234|ft|m|round=25}} → 1,234 feet (375 m)
• {{convert|1234|ft|m|round=50}} → 1,234 feet (400 m)
• {{convert|1234|ft|m|sigfig=2}} → 1,234 feet (380 m)
• {{convert|1234|ft|m|sigfig=4}} → 1,234 feet (376.1 m)
• {{convert|1230|ft|m}} → 1,230 feet (370 m)
• {{convert|1230|ft|m|0}} → 1,230 feet (375 m)
• {{convert|1230|ft|m|1}} → 1,230 feet (374.9 m)
• {{convert|5670|sqft}} → 5,670 square feet (527 m²)
• {{convert|5670|sqft|-2}} → 5,670 square feet (500 m²)
• {{convert|7|x|8|x|12|ft|abbr=on|round=0.5}} → 7 ft × 8 ft × 12 ft (2 m × 2.5 m × 3.5 m)

An input value such as 5000 is assumed to have one significant figure, while 5001 has four. If wanted, "5000." can be used to specify an input number that has four significant figures.

• {{convert|5000|m}} → 5,000 metres (16,000 ft)
• {{convert|5000.|m}} → 5,000 metres (16,404 ft)

Use |sp=us to specify that unit names should be displayed with US spelling:

• {{convert|6|km}} → 6 kilometres (3.7 mi)
• {{convert|6|km|sp=us}} → 6 kilometers (3.7 mi)

Use |spell=in to specify that the input value should be spelled in words, or |spell=In (uppercase "I") to start with an uppercase letter:

• {{convert|5|mi|km|spell=in}} → five miles (8.0 km)
• {{convert|5|mi|km|spell=in|abbr=off|0}} → five miles (8 kilometres)
• {{convert|5|mi|km|spell=In|0}} → Five miles (8 km)
• {{convert|5|mi|km|spell=In|abbr=off|0}} → Five miles (8 kilometres)
• {{convert|2+1/4|mi|km|abbr=off|0|spell=In}} → Two and a quarter miles (4 kilometres)
• {{convert|2+1/4|mi|km|abbr=off|0|spell=In|sp=us}} → Two and a fourth miles (4 kilometers)

The input and output can be "flipped", as shown in these examples. The resulting first number is spelled:

• {{convert|5|mi|0|order=flip|spell=in}} → eight kilometres (5 mi)
• {{convert|5|mi|0|order=flip|spell=In|abbr=off}} → Eight kilometres (5 miles)

Both input and output values can be spelled:

• {{convert|5|mi|m|-2|spell=on|sp=us|abbr=off}} → five miles (eight thousand meters)
• {{convert|5|mi|m|-2|spell=On|sp=us|abbr=off}} → Five miles (eight thousand meters)

Commas in input numbers are ignored but spaces are not accepted: 1,000 is one thousand but 1 000 is an error.

In output, by default, the thousands separator is the comma:

• {{convert|1234567|m|ft}} → 1,234,567 metres (4,050,417 ft)
• {{convert|1,234,567|m|ft}} → 1,234,567 metres (4,050,417 ft)

Set |comma=off to remove separators from the result:

• {{convert|1,234,567|m|ft|comma=off}} → 1234567 metres (4050417 ft)

Setting |comma=5 adds a separator only when the number of digits is 5 or more:

• {{convert|1234|m|ft}} → 1,234 metres (4,049 ft)
• {{convert|1234|m|ft|comma=5}} → 1234 metres (4049 ft)
• {{convert|12345|m|ft|comma=5}} → 12,345 metres (40,502 ft)

Set |comma=gaps to use a small space for thousands grouping. If the resulting number is copied, only the digits are copied (the gaps are omitted).

• {{convert|1234567|m|ft}} → 1,234,567 metres (4,050,417 ft)
• {{convert|1234567|m|ft|comma=gaps}} → 1234567 metres (4050417 ft)

Gaps are inserted on both sides of the decimal mark. However, by default, no gap is inserted before a single digit. If a gap is always wanted, |comma=gaps3 can be used.

• {{convert|1234.98765|m|ft|comma=gaps}} → 1234.98765 metres (4051.7968 ft)
• {{convert|1234.98765|m|ft|comma=gaps3}} → 1234.98765 metres (4051.7968 ft)
• {{convert|1234.9876|m|ft|comma=gaps}} → 1234.9876 metres (4051.797 ft)
• {{convert|1234.9876|m|ft|comma=gaps3}} → 1234.9876 metres (4051.797 ft)
• {{convert|1.2349876|m|ft|comma=gaps}} → 1.2349876 metres (4.051797 ft)
• {{convert|1.2349876|m|ft|comma=gaps3}} → 1.2349876 metres (4.051797 ft)

An input value can be specified as a fraction.

• {{convert|1/2|in|mm|1}} → 1⁄2 inch (12.7 mm)
• {{convert|1/2|in|mm|1|adj=on}} → 1⁄2-inch (12.7 mm)
• {{convert|2+1/2|in|mm|1}} → 2+1⁄2 inches (63.5 mm)
• {{convert|1|ft|10+5/8|in}} → 1 foot 10+5⁄8 inches (0.575 m)
• {{convert|-2-1/4|in|mm|1}} → −2+1⁄4 inches (−57.2 mm)
• {{convert|1/2|in|mm|1|spell=in}} → one-half inch (12.7 mm)

If two slashes are used, a horizontal fraction bar is used.

• {{convert|1//2|in|mm|1}} → 1/2 inch (12.7 mm)
• {{convert|2+1//2|in|mm|1}} → 2+1/2 inches (63.5 mm)

An output can be expressed with a fraction using |frac=N where N is the denominator. For example, |frac=8 rounds the output to the nearest eighth.

• {{convert|219|mm|in|abbr=on}} → 219 mm (8.6 in)
• {{convert|219|mm|in|abbr=on|frac=2}} → 219 mm (8+1⁄2 in)
• {{convert|219|mm|in|abbr=on|frac=4}} → 219 mm (8+1⁄2 in)
• {{convert|219|mm|in|abbr=on|frac=8}} → 219 mm (8+5⁄8 in)
• {{convert|222|mm|in|abbr=on|frac=8}} → 222 mm (8+3⁄4 in)

A fraction is applied to the output unit (if there is only one), or to non-SI units (if using a combination), except that if a precision is also specified, the fraction only applies to the hand unit.

• {{convert|18.45|in|m|frac=2}} → 18.45 inches (1⁄2 m)
• {{convert|18.45|in|ft in hand cm|frac=2}} → 18.45 inches (1+1⁄2 ft; 18+1⁄2 in; 4.2+1⁄2 hands; 46.9 cm)
• {{convert|18.45|in|ft in hand cm|frac=2|1}} → 18.45 inches (1.5 ft; 18.5 in; 4.2+1⁄2 hands; 46.9 cm)

If|frac=-N is used (negative N), a horizontal fraction bar is used for the output.

• {{convert|12.7|mm|frac=-2}} → 12.7 millimetres (1/2 in)
• {{convert|222|mm|in|abbr=on|frac=-8}} → 222 mm (8+3/4 in)

The |disp= ("display") option may be used to "join" the input and output, as shown in the following examples.

A range of values can be specified, as shown in the following examples.

Ranges can use more than two values.

Ranges can be specified in the first parameter although writing {{convert|3.2|-|7.5|ha}} would be clearer.

Some options provide text that is included in the output, as shown in the following examples.

In each of the above examples, "||" provides an empty output unit which causes the default output to be used. An output unit, possibly empty, must be specified to avoid the template interpreting the extra text as the output unit. For example, using {{convert|4|ft|adj=mid|-long}} has the same effect as using {{convert|4|ft|-long|adj=mid}}, namely that an error would occur because "-long" would be used as the output unit. The following illustrates the error (hover the mouse over the error text to see that the problem is due to "-long" ) and how it may be avoided.

• {{convert|4|ft|adj=mid|-long}} → 4-foot (^{[convert: unknown unit]})
• {{convert|4|ft||adj=mid|-long}} → 4-foot-long (1.2 m)
• {{convert|4|ft| |adj=mid|-long}} → 4-foot-long (1.2 m)
• {{convert|4|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} → 4-foot-long (1.2 m)

The following examples show how to display only a part of the result.

Note: in Convert, abbr is synonym for unit symbol

To invert the order of measurements, use |order=flip

• {{convert|10|km|mi}} → 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
• {{convert|10|km|mi|order=flip}} → 6.2 miles (10 km)

Convert uses the regular space (" ") and non-breaking space (  which displays as " ") to control line-breaking (also called wrapping/nowrapping).

In all examples below, an   is shown as "_" (red underscore): "3_ft".

Wrapping is possible where a regular space (" ") is used. Prevent wrapping is enforced in the template using the non-breaking space, that ties and keeps text elements together.

3 feet may break after "3"

3 ft, or 3_ft, will not break after "3"

A line break (<br/>) forces a newline (line break), and so overrules any nowrap setting at that point.

Word meaning:

In measurements, SI uses wording that says that value = number × unit, for example length = number × meter.

In{{Convert}} documentation, sometimes 'value' is used to mean the number; and abbr is used to mean unit symbol(s).

Within a single measured value (number and unit)

The separator between the number and the unit can be a space or a nonbreaking space ( ):

• When a unit is abbreviated (symbol is shown), the separator is  .

{{convert|12|m|ft|abbr=on}} → 12_m (39_ft)

• When a unit is not abbreviated (name is shown), the separator is a space.

{{convert|12|m|ft}} → 12 metres (39_ft)

• Some units do not have a symbol and always use a space (such as acre).

{{convert|3|acre|m2|abbr=on}} → 3 acres (12,000_m²)

• Except,   is always used when a measurement is in multiple units.

{{convert|1|ft|6|in|cm}} → 1_foot 6_inches (46_cm)

{{convert|2|m|ftin}} → 2 metres (6_ft 7_in)

• Except, if option |adj=on is used and the unit is not abbreviated, the separator is a hyphen ("-").

{{convert|2|m|ftin|adj=on}} → 2-metre (6_ft 7_in)

• When the name of a number is used,   is used as the separator between the number and the name. For example, a measurement spelled as『12 million metres』has   before "million" and a space afterwards.

{{convert|12|e6m}} → 12_million metres (39,000,000_ft)

Between measurements

• A space is used as the separator in a join between the first and second measurement.

{{convert|3|ft|m}} → 3 feet (0.91_m)

• Except for the special case before "[" :

{{convert|12|in|cm|disp=sqbr|abbr=on}} → 12_in_[30_cm] (  before "[")

• Multiple output measurements (by listing units) always use a space between measurements ("; " has a space after ";").

{{convert|2|acre|m2 sqft ha}} → 2 acres (8,100_m²; 87,000_sq_ft; 0.81_ha)

Between components of a measurement (e.g., in a range; between foot–inch)

• A measurement in multiple units always uses a space between components ("1 foot 6 inches" has   before the unit names, but a space after "foot").

{{convert|1|ft|6|in|cm}} → 1_foot 6_inches (46_cm)

• In a range, spaces are generally used to separate items. For example, "to" and "or" have a space before and after in the following.

{{convert|12|to|20|in|cm}} → 12 to 20 inches (30 to 51_cm)

{{convert|12|or|20|in|cm}} → 12 or 20 inches (30 or 51_cm)

• The ranges +/- and , always use  :

{{convert|12|+/-|2|in|cm}} → 12_±_2 inches (30.5_±_5.1_cm)

{{convert|12|,|20|in|cm}} → 12,_20 inches (30,_51_cm)

• The "to(-)" range is an exception. When a unit is not abbreviated, "to" has   before and a space after.

{{convert|12|to(-)|20|in|cm}} → 12_to 20 inches (30–51_cm)

• The "x" range is an exception. When a unit is abbreviated,『×』has a space before and   after.

{{convert|12|x|20|in|cm}} → 12 by 20 inches (30_cm ×_51_cm)

Overrule by setting a line break

• Parameter |disp=br adds a forced line break (<br/>) between measurements; brackets are omitted. Use |disp=br() to add the line break and keep the brackets.

{{convert|12|m|ft|disp=br}} → 12 metres<br/>39 feet shows:

12 metres
39 feet

{{convert|12|m|ft|disp=br()}} → 12 metres<br/>(39 feet) shows:

12 metres
(39 feet)

Preview wikicode

To see the wikicode result of the convert template: put your {{convert|...}} code into Special:ExpandTemplates and then preview by clicking OK.

The following parameters are intended for use in tables.

The following shows the wikitext output by some example converts.

Fixed table[edit]

This wikitext:

{|class="wikitable"
! align=right, rowspan="2" |
!colspan="2"| Length
!colspan="2"| Weight
|- style="vertical-align:bottom;"
!metres !!ft in !!kg!!lb
|-
! Lorem ipsum
| {{convert|28.1|m|ftin|disp=table}}
| {{convert|47.5|kg|lb|disp=table}}
|-
! Dolor sit amet
| {{convert|9.9|m|ftin|disp=table}}
| {{convert|74.1|kg|lb|disp=table}}
|-
! Consectetur
| {{convert|38.2|m|ftin|disp=table}}
| {{convert|31.5|kg|lb|disp=table}}
|-
! Adipisicing elit
| {{convert|18.7|m|ftin|disp=table}}
| {{convert|52.7|kg|lb|disp=table}}
|}

produces this table:

Sortable table[edit]

This wikitext:

{|class="wikitable sortable"
! align=right, rowspan="2" |
!colspan="2"| Length
!colspan="2"| Weight
|- style="vertical-align:bottom;"
!metres !!ft in !!kg!!lb
|-
! Lorem ipsum
| {{convert|28.1|m|ftin|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|47.5|kg|lb|disp=table|sortable=on}}
|-
! Dolor sit amet
| {{convert|9.9|m|ftin|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|74.1|kg|lb|disp=table|sortable=on}}
|-
! Consectetur
| {{convert|38.2|m|ftin|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|31.5|kg|lb|disp=table|sortable=on}}
|-
! Adipisicing elit
| {{convert|18.7|m|ftin|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|52.7|kg|lb|disp=table|sortable=on}}
|}

produces this table:

Unit symbols are always singular. Unit names can be singular or plural. A unit is singular when the number is exactly +1:

• {{convert|0.5|ft|m|abbr=off}} → 0.5 feet (0.15 metres)
• {{convert|1|ft|m|abbr=off}} → 1 foot (0.30 metres)
• {{convert|2|ft|m|abbr=off}} → 2 feet (0.61 metres)

This example is from article Fort McHenry:

The American defenders had 18-, 24- and 32-pounder (8, 11 and 15 kg) cannons.

This result cannot reasonably be produced by {{convert}}. However, convert can be used to construct the required text.

• Use {{convert}} with subst to insert the required wikitext into the article or your sandbox.

  had {{subst:convert|18|,|24|,|32|lb|kg|0}} cannons

  → had 18, 24, 32 pounds (8, 11, 15 kg) cannons

• When the edit is saved, the convert template is replaced with the result.
• Edit the result to produce the final text.

  → had 18-, 24- and 32-pounder (8, 11 and 15 kg) cannons

An alternative to subst would be to enter {{convert|18|,|24|,|32|lb|kg|0}} into Special:ExpandTemplates, then copy and edit its result into the article.

Deprecated options should not be used. They may produce incorrect or undesired results and there is no guarantee that they will be supported in the future.

• disp=flip is deprecated. Use order=flip instead
• sing= is deprecated in any situation. Use adj= instead
• Range separator |xx| is deprecated (not MOS compliant). Use |x| instead
• Range separator |*| is deprecated (not MOS compliant). Use |x| instead

This is a list of features that the module may be expected to support, but which will not work.

Composite units cannot be used in a range:

• {{convert|2|ft|6|in|to|3|ft|9|in}} → 2 feet 6 inches (^{[convert: unknown unit]})^*

If an expression is wanted, it has to use {{#expr:...}}:

• {{convert|3*12|ft|mm}} → 3×12 feet (910×3,660 mm)
• {{convert|{{#expr:3*12}}|ft|mm}} → 36 feet (11,000 mm)