Template:Convert/doc

Template:Notice

Usage

This template shows measurement quantities as primary and converted secondary units (or ranges), with optional rounding, wikilinks, abbreviation, or UK spellings, and various separators including:  parentheses "( )", "or", hyphens, comma, "to" or dashes. The can help users by generating correct conversions from one unit of measurement to another, particularly for more complex units. It's also useful by making the text adhere to books' manuals of style. The text the template generates does not differ from a plain text equivalent, however.

Styles include: distance "32 metres (104.9868768 ft)" and "32 metres104.9868768 ft"; temperature "18 °C (64.4 °F)"; mass "55.0  ( )" or "65  ( )"; etc. For units see: Convert/list of units.

Options include:

lk=in, abbr=on, abbr=off, sp=uk, adj=on, adj=mid, disp=x, disp=table and sortable=on (explained below). By default, output is rounded to match the precision of input; alternatives include: sigfig=3 or using the end parameter, such as "|1" to show tenths or "|-2" to show full 100's, etc.

Single value:

{{convert|value|in_unit|out_unit|round_to|...}}

Range of 2 values, or set of 3 (see below for list of range options):

{{convert|val1|range|val2 |in_unit|out_unit|round_to|...}}
{{convert/3 |val1|range|val2|words|val3|in_unit|out_unit|round_to|...}}

• Numbers must be entered in unformatted form (without commas). Values output by the template will be displayed formatted and with a true minus sign where appropriate. To specify with commas, re-code a number as {{formatnum:9,000,500|R}} (becomes 9000500).
• Optional parameters, in examples below, allow abbreviated units (abbr=on), or U.K. spellings (sp=uk for metre), or hyphenation (adj=on), etc.
• For this template many levels of substitution are possible, hence doing this fully, step by step, is cumbersome. Use Special:ExpandTemplates instead.
• The template has very limited in-built capacity for dimensional analysis. It is therefore up to the user to ensure that most input and output units are compatible. Do not, for example, attempt to convert barrels to tonnes. Also beware of units with similar names; the code oz, for example, is for the avoirdupois ounce (a unit of mass), do not use this if you want fluid ounces. Note also that the code lb gives pounds mass, for pounds force use lbf.
• An attempt to convert a unit to itself, e.g., km to km, will result in a template loop.
• The range functionality is not fully implemented for all units, so experimentation may be required.
• This documentation page tends to lag behind in terms of what the template can do. For details see the talk page and its archives.

Examples

Single value

Input	Displays as
{{convert|3.21|kg|lb}}	3.21  ( )
{{convert|3.21|kg|lb|0}}	3.21  ( )
{{convert|10|kg|lb|disp=or}}	10
{{convert|6|ft|5|in|m}}	6 feet ( )
{{mi to km|10}}	REDIRECT Template:Convert/mile
{{convert|100|mpgus}}	100  ( )
{{convert|120|km/h}}	120 kilometres per hour ( )
{{convert|18|°C|°F}}	18 °C (64.4 °F)
{{convert|1250|sqft|m2|lk=in|sigfig=2}}	1,250  ( ) Note 'lk=in' links only the input unit. This example is for illustration only, common units of measurement should not be linked.
{{convert|20.5|m3|cuyd|lk=out|abbr=on}}	20.5  ( ) Note 'lk=out' links only the output unit, cu yd.
{{convert|641|acre|ha sqmi|lk=on}}	641 acres ( [[]]) Note 'lk=on' links all units. Common units should not be linked.
{{convert|641|acre|ha sqmi|2|lk=on}}	641 acres ( [[]]) Although 640 acres equals 1 square mile; 641 acres rounded to two decimal places equals 1.00 sq mi.

Range of 2 values

Note: not yet operational for all units

Input	Displays as
{{convert|60|and|170|kg|lb}}	60  ( )
{{convert|60|to|170|kg|lb}}	60  ( )
{{convert|60|to(-)|170|kg|lb}}	60  ( )
{{convert|60|-|170|kg|lb}}	60  ( )
{{convert|41|to|50|F|C}}	41  ( )
{{convert|41|-|50|F|K}}	41  ( )
{{convert|60|x|120|m|ft}}	60  ( )
{{convert|60|+/-|10|m|ft}}	60  ( )
{{convert|19|to|27|L|USgal}}	19  ( )
{{convert|5|to|7|L|USgal|abbr=mos}}	5  ( )
{{convert|4|-|9|L|USgal|abbr=off}}	4  ( )

The following conversions are currently not available as a range of values:

• Some imperial and US gallon-based units
• Other fuel-consumption units, except "mpg" or "L100km" shown above.
• Large scale units (e3, e6, e9)
• Combination-based units (ft&in, st&lb, lb&oz) due to complexity of the conversion.

Range/set of 3 values

Note: not yet operational for all units

Input	Displays as
{{convert/3 |2|x|4|x|6|m|ft}}	Template:Convert/3
{{convert/3 |60|-|70|-|80|kg|lb}}	Template:Convert/3
{{convert/3 |60|to|80|or|85|m|ft}}	Template:Convert/3
{{convert/3 |11|by|15|rarely|16|ft|m}}	Template:Convert/3
{{convert/3 |41|to|50|to|60|F|C}}	Template:Convert/3
{{convert/3 |41|-|50|almost|51|F|K}}	Template:Convert/3

For {{convert/3}}, the separator words can be any text.

Parameters

Parameters
Template:AnchorUse UK spelling	attach |sp=uk
Template:AnchorMake units linked	attach |lk=on   to link all units (default: lk=off) attach |lk=in   to link only the input units attach |lk=out  to link only the output units (Wikibooks:Dewikify suggests that you should not link common units of measurement).
Template:AnchorUse the adjective form, or insert mid-text words	attach |adj=on (e.g. "190-foot (58 m) bridge" instead of "190 feet..."). This produces the adjective form—the unit name in the singular with a hyphen. attach |adj=mid (e.g. "190-foot bridge (58 m)" as: |adj=mid|bridge or "190-foot-long bridge (58 m)" as: |adj=mid|-long bridge) Note 1: Any rounding-parameter should follow the mid-text: "text|0". Note 2: For adj=mid, must specify both input & output unit-codes. For example, to convert feet, use "ft|m" or "ft|0":   • {{convert|9|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} → 9-foot-long (2.7 m) To default the output unit-code, set parameter 3 to: 0.
Abbreviate units, or not	Template:Anchorattach |abbr=on to show unit symbols attach |abbr=off   to show all unit names in full words attach |abbr=in to abbreviate input units attach |abbr=out to abbreviate output units attach |abbr=values to suppress unit names & show only values. So, {{convert|6|mi|abbr=values}} gives: 6 miles ( ).
Template:AnchorChange "( )" to display other separators	attach |disp=comma to put comma, not brackets/parentheses attach |disp=or to put "or" between units. The default value is:  disp=b for brackets/parentheses.
Change "( )" to customized separators	attach |disp=x| (begin | end) to show "xx (begin yy end)" See example 1 attach |disp=x|; to show "xx; yy" See example 2 attach |disp=x| (same as |) to show "xx (same as yy)". See example 3 Example 1: {{convert|9|km|mi|disp=x| [|]}}→9 kilometres [5.6 mi] (note space before [|) Example 2: {{convert|9|km|mi|disp=x|;}}→9 kilometres;5.6 mi Example 3: {{convert|10|km|mi|disp=x| (about |)}}→10 kilometres (about 6.2 mi) (note spaces used within the code).
Display output only	attach |disp=output only to show result number & unit attach |disp=output number only to show just number Note when using "disp=output only" then the unit name can still be shown as full words by abbr=off or linked by lk=on.
Display units inverted as reverse order	attach |disp=flip  to reverse the order & show output unit first. So, {{convert|6|km|disp=flip}} shows "3.7 miles (6 km)". To get symbol "mi" use abbr=in, to abbreviate the input unit (left-side unit).
Display unit name (only)	attach |disp=unit to show the unit name for a symbol The unit name will be plural when the amount is not 1, or hyphenated when adj=on. So, {{convert|2|cuyd|disp=unit}} shows "cubic yards" plural.
Template:AnchorDisplay amounts as table cells	attach |disp=table (or |disp=tablecen) Note: For use in tables, the template must start on a new line after a pipe. Only the number will be displayed unless you set |abbr=on, |lk=on, |lk=in or |lk=out.
Round to a specified number of significant figures	attach |sigfig={some integer greater than zero}. In the case of temperatures Celsius or Fahrenheit this refers to the difference with the absolute-zero temperature. For example, at room temperature two significant digits means rounded to tens of degrees.
Round by 5	attach |disp=5  to round the output amount to the nearest 5 units. Not supported for all options.
Let Convert decide the unit to convert to	skip the precision parameter (the 3rd or 4th unnamed parameter) e.g. {{convert|100|km|kn}} gives 100 kilometres ( ) and {{convert|100|km}} gives 100 kilometres ( ).
Display input value with a fraction	{{convert|3/8|in|mm|3|abbr=on}} → 3/8 in (9.525 mm) or {{convert|11+1/4|in|cm|2|abbr=on}} → 11+1/4 in (11.64 cm) For negative amounts, use two minus signs (hyphens): -11-1/4.
Template:AnchorGenerate a hidden sort key for use with a sortable table	attach |sortable=on to generate a hidden sort key so that sortable tables will sort correctly. This uses {{ntsh}} to generate a sort key from the first numeric value. It ignores any additional values, i.e., if you use 6|ft|2|in as the value, it will only use the 6 for the sort key. This will cause numeric values to sort in numeric order, i.e.: 5, 10, 15 instead of 10, 15, 5.

Parameters still under construction

Parameters still under construction. May not work in all situations
disp=5	The output will be rounded to the nearest 5 units. Might not work when linking unit names.
disp=tablecen	Similar to disp=table except that the values will be centered within the column.
disp=comma	The two values will be separated by a comma, for situations where the first value is already within parentheses.
abbr=in	Abbreviates only the input unit.
abbr=out	Abbreviates only the output unit.
abbr=comma	"Abbreviates" (removes) commas. For ranges, using abbr=comma conflicts with internal options, so instead, append "nocomma" to a range-word: tonocomma, bynocomma, andnocomma, -nocomma & xnocomma.
abbr=mos	For ranges, abbreviates with the input unit repeated, twice.
disp=br	This separates input and output units with a forced line break. This can be useful in tables with limited horizontal space.
disp=sqbr	Shows square brackets "[ ]" instead of parentheses "( )" in output. Example: 55 miles [89 km]. This option can be used in direct quotes, to show conversions in editorial brackets. See: attach |disp=x|[|], above, as another way of showing brackets "[ ]".

Rounding

Convert supports four types of rounding:

Rounding to a given precision

Specify the desired precision with the fourth unnamed parameter (or third unnamed parameter if the "convert to" parameter is omitted; or fifth unnamed parameter if a range is specified; or fourth unnamed parameter again if a range is specified and the "convert to" parameter is omitted; needs to be replaced with a "precision" named parameter). The conversion is rounded off to the nearest power of Template:Frac this number. For instance, if the result is 8621 and the round number is '-2', the result will be 8600. If the result is '234.0283043' and the round number is '0', the result will be 234.

Rounding to a given number of significant figures

Specify the desired number of significant figures using |sigfig={some integer greater than zero} as noted above.

Default rounding

If neither the desired precision nor the desired number of significant figures is specified, the conversion will be rounded either to a comparable precision as the input value (the number of digits after the decimal point—or the negative of the number of non-significant zeroes before the point—is increased by one if the conversion is a multiplication by a number between 0.02 and 0.2, remains the same if the factor is between 0.2 and 2, is decreased by 1 if it is between 2 and 20, and so on) or to two significant figures, whichever is the most precise. An exception to this is temperature, wherein the conversion will be rounded either to precision comparable to that of the input value or to that which would give three significant figures when expressed in kelvins, whichever is the most precise.

Examples of default rounding
Input	Displays as	Note
{{convert|550|ft|m|0}}	550 feet (168 m)	Approximate value is 167.64 m
{{convert|550|ft|m}}	550 feet (167.64 m)	Rounds to 170, when approximate value is 167.64 m
{{convert|500|ft|m|0}}	500 feet (152 m)	Approximate value is 152.4 m
{{convert|500|ft|m}}	500 feet (152.4 m)	Rounds to 150, when approximate value is 152.4 m

See also

• {{Metricate}}