SI Prefix Calculator — Scale Between Metric Units
Select a from-prefix and a to-prefix, enter your value, and get an instant result with a step-by-step breakdown. Supports all 19 SI prefixes from yotta (10²⁴) to atto (10⁻¹⁸).
SI prefix calculator — scale between metric prefixes
The International System of Units (SI) uses prefixes to express very large or very small quantities without writing long strings of zeros. Engineers use these prefixes constantly — kN, MPa, mm, μm, GHz — and often need to convert between them.
Complete SI prefix table
| Symbol | Name | Factor | Engineering example |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | giga | 10⁹ | 1 GN = 10⁹ N |
| M | mega | 10⁶ | 1 MPa = 10⁶ Pa |
| k | kilo | 10³ | 1 kN = 10³ N |
| — | base | 10⁰ | N, Pa, m, g |
| m | milli | 10⁻³ | 1 mm = 10⁻³ m |
| μ | micro | 10⁻⁶ | 1 μm = 10⁻⁶ m |
| n | nano | 10⁻⁹ | 1 nm = 10⁻⁹ m |
How the scaler works
To convert between prefixes, the calculator finds the difference in exponents between the two prefixes and multiplies your value accordingly. For example, converting 1.427 × 10⁷ from milli to base: milli = 10⁻³, so 1.427 × 10⁷ × 10⁻³ = 1.427 × 10⁴ in base units.
Common conversions in structural engineering
The most frequent prefix conversions in structural and civil engineering involve force (N → kN → MN), pressure/stress (Pa → kPa → MPa), and length (mm → m → km). The calculator handles all of these and any other combination instantly.