Definition:Metric System/Scaling Prefixes

Metric Scaling Prefixes

Standard prefixes for the SI units of measure

Multiples	Name	deka-	hecto-	kilo-	mega-	giga-	tera-	peta-	exa-	zetta-	yotta-	ronna-	quetta-
	Symbol	$\mathrm{da}$	$\mathrm h$	$\mathrm k$	$\mathrm M$	$\mathrm G$	$\mathrm T$	$\mathrm P$	$\mathrm E$	$\mathrm Z$	$\mathrm Y$	$\mathrm R$	$\mathrm Q$
	Factor	$10^1$	$10^2$	$10^3$	$10^6$	$10^9$	$10^{12}$	$10^{15}$	$10^{18}$	$10^{21}$	$10^{24}$	$10^{27}$	$10^{30}$
Subdivisions	Name	deci-	centi-	milli-	micro-	nano-	pico-	femto-	atto-	zepto-	yocto-	ronto-	quecto-
	Symbol	$\mathrm d$	$\mathrm c$	$\mathrm m$	$\mu$	$\mathrm n$	$\mathrm p$	$\mathrm f$	$\mathrm a$	$\mathrm z$	$\mathrm y$	$\mathrm r$	$\mathrm q$
	Factor	$10^{-1}$	$10^{-2}$	$10^{-3}$	$10^{-6}$	$10^{-9}$	$10^{-12}$	$10^{-15}$	$10^{-18}$	$10^{-21}$	$10^{-24}$	$10^{-27}$	$10^{-30}$

Sources

• 1969: J.C. Anderson, D.M. Hum, B.G. Neal and J.H. Whitelaw: Data and Formulae for Engineering Students (2nd ed.) ... (next): $1.$ Units and Abbreviations: $1.1$ Decimal prefixes
• 1986: David Wells: Curious and Interesting Numbers ... (previous) ... (next): $10$
• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): SI units
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): SI units