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4.28 SI/metric units

Capitalize only the word Celsius when writing the names of SI/metric units in full. When using symbols, capitalize all those based on personal names and the letter L for litre:

  • 30 m (metres)
  • 475 g (grams)
  • 12 V (volts)
  • 30 L (litres)

Capitalize the symbols for the prefixes from mega to exa. The symbols for the others remain in lower case. Consistency is important here because the letters m and p are both used in symbols for two different prefixes:

  • mg (milligram)
    • Mg (megagram)
  • pm (picometre)
    • Pm (petametre)

See also 1.23 The International System of Units (SI).