MOS:YEAR

This page guides the presentation of numbers, dates, times, measurements, currencies, coordinates, and similar items in articles. The aim is to promote clarity, cohesion, and consistency, and to make the encyclopedia easier and more intuitive to use. For numbers, dates, and similar items in Wikipedia article titles, see the "Naming conventions (numbers and dates)" guideline.

Where this manual gives options, maintain consistency within an article unless there is a good reason to do otherwise. The Arbitration Committee has ruled that editors should not change an article from one guideline-defined style to another without a substantial reason unrelated to mere choice of style; edit-warring over optional styles is unacceptable.Tɛmplet:Efn If discussion fails to resolve the question of which style to use in an article, defer to the style used by the first major contributor. Tɛmplet:TOC limit

General notes

Quotations, titles, etc.

Quotations, titles of books and articles, and similar "imported" text should be faithfully reproduced, even if they use formats or units inconsistent with these guidelines or with other formats in the same article. If necessary, clarify via [bracketed interpolation], article text, or footnotes.

Non-breaking spaces

Guidance on the use of non-breaking spaces ("hard spaces") is given in some sections below, but not all situations in which hard spaces (Tɛmplet:T or  ) or Tɛmplet:Tlx may be appropriate are described. Tɛmplet:Crossref

Chronological items

Statements likely to become outdated

Except on pages that are inherently time-sensitive and updated regularly (e.g. the "Current events" portal), terms such as Tɛmplet:!xt, Tɛmplet:!xt, Tɛmplet:!xt, Tɛmplet:!xt, Tɛmplet:!xt, Tɛmplet:!xt, Tɛmplet:!xt, Tɛmplet:!xt, Tɛmplet:!xt, and Tɛmplet:!xt should usually be avoided in favor of phrases such as Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt, and Tɛmplet:Xt. Wording can usually be modified to remove the "now" perspective: not Tɛmplet:!xt but Tɛmplet:Xt; not Tɛmplet:!xt but Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt. Terms likely to go out of date include Tɛmplet:!xt, Tɛmplet:!xt, etc.Tɛmplet:Efn For current and future events, use phrases such as Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt to signal the time-dependence of the information; use the template Tɛmplet:Tl (or Tɛmplet:Tl) in conjunction. Relative-time expressions are acceptable for very long periods, such as geological epochs: Tɛmplet:Xt

Dates, months, and years

• These requirements do not apply to dates in quotations or titles; Tɛmplet:Crossref.
• Special rules apply to citations; Tɛmplet:Crossref.
• See also Wikipedia:Overview of date formatting guidelines.

Formats

Acceptable date formats

General use	Tɛmplet:NowrapTɛmplet:Efn	Comments
Tɛmplet:Xt	Tɛmplet:Xt	Tɛmplet:Anchor A comma doesn't follow the year unless otherwise required by context: Tɛmplet:Unordered list
Tɛmplet:Xt	Tɛmplet:Xt	Tɛmplet:Anchor A comma follows the year unless other punctuation obviates it: Tɛmplet:Unordered list
Tɛmplet:Xt	Tɛmplet:Xt	Omit year only where there is no risk of ambiguity: Tɛmplet:Unordered list
Tɛmplet:Xt	Tɛmplet:Xt
Tɛmplet:Nobr	Tɛmplet:Xt	Use Tɛmplet:Nowrap format only with Gregorian dates from 1583 onward.Tɛmplet:Efn
Tɛmplet:Xt	Tɛmplet:Xt

• Dates, years, and other chronological items should be linked only when they are relevant to the subject and likely to be useful to a reader; this rule does not apply to articles that are explicitly on a chronological item, e.g. 2002, 19th century Tɛmplet:Crossref.Tɛmplet:Efn
• For issues related to dates in sortable tables, Tɛmplet:Crossref and Tɛmplet:Crossref, or consider using Tɛmplet:Nowrap
• Phrases such as Tɛmplet:Xt (or Tɛmplet:Xt, but not Tɛmplet:!xt), Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt, and Tɛmplet:Xt are proper names, to which rules for dates do not apply (Tɛmplet:Xt).

Unacceptable date formats (except in external titles and quotes)

Unacceptable	Corrected	Comments
Tɛmplet:!xt	Tɛmplet:XtTɛmplet:Efn	Do not add a full stop (period) to an abbreviated month or to the day-of-month.Tɛmplet:Efn
Tɛmplet:!xt	Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt
Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt		Months should be capitalized.
Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:Nowrap		Do not use ordinals (Tɛmplet:!xt, Tɛmplet:!xt, Tɛmplet:!xt, etc.).
Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt		Do not use these formats.
Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt		Do not zero-pad dayTɛmplet:Nbsp...
Tɛmplet:!xt	Tɛmplet:XtTɛmplet:Efn	... except in all-numeric Tɛmplet:Nowrap, where both month and day should be zero-padded to twoTɛmplet:Nbspdigits.
Tɛmplet:!xt		Do not use separators other than hyphens.
Tɛmplet:!xt		Do not omit the hyphens.
Tɛmplet:!xt		Do not abbreviate year to two digits.
Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt		Do not use Tɛmplet:Nowrap, Tɛmplet:Nowrap or Tɛmplet:Nowrap formats.Tɛmplet:Efn
Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt		Do not use these formats.
Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt	Tɛmplet:Xt	Do not use theseTɛmplet:Nbspformats.
Tɛmplet:!xt		No comma between month andTɛmplet:Nbspyear.
Tɛmplet:!xt	Tɛmplet:Xt
Tɛmplet:!xt	Tɛmplet:Xt	Comma required between day andTɛmplet:Nbspyear.
Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt	Tɛmplet:Xt	Do not abbreviate year.
Tɛmplet:!xt	Tɛmplet:Xt	Roman numerals are not normally used forTɛmplet:Nbspdates.
Tɛmplet:!xt	Tɛmplet:Xt	Years and days of the month are not normally written inTɛmplet:Nbspwords.
Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt	Tɛmplet:Nowrap
Tɛmplet:!xt	Tɛmplet:Xt	Do not zero-pad years.
Tɛmplet:!xt	Tɛmplet:Xt	Do not add a comma to a four-digit year.
Tɛmplet:!xt	Tɛmplet:Xt	Write "the year" only where needed for clarity (Tɛmplet:Xt).

Strong national ties to a topic

For any given article, the choice of date format and the choice of national variety of English (see Tɛmplet:Section link) are independent issues.

• Articles on topics with strong ties to a particular English-speaking country should generally use the date format most commonly used in that nation. For the United States this is (for example) Tɛmplet:Nobr; for most other English-speaking countries it is Tɛmplet:Nobr.
• Articles related to Canada may use either format with (as always) consistency within each article. Tɛmplet:See below
• Tɛmplet:Shortcut In topics where a date format that differs from the usual national one is in customary usage, that format should be used for related articles: for example, articles on the modern US military, including biographical articles related to the modern US military, should use day-before-month, in accordance with US military usage.

Retaining existing format

• If an article has evolved using predominantly one date format, this format should be used throughout the article, unless there are reasons for changing it based on the topic's strong ties to a particular English-speaking country, or consensus on the article's talk page.
• The date format chosen in the first major contribution in the early stages of an article (i.e., the first non-stub version) should continue to be used, unless there is reason to change it based on the topic's strong ties to a particular English-speaking country, or consensus on the article's talk page.
• Where an article has shown no clear sign of which format is used, the first person to insert a date is equivalent to "the first major contributor".

Era style

• The default calendar eras are Anno Domini (Tɛmplet:Xt and Tɛmplet:Xt) and Common Era (Tɛmplet:Xt and Tɛmplet:Xt). Either convention may be appropriate for use in Wikipedia articles depending on the article context. Apply Tɛmplet:Section link with regard to changes from one era to the other.
  • Use either the BCTɛmplet:NdashAD or the BCETɛmplet:NdashCE notation consistently within the same article. Exception: do not change direct quotations, titles, etc.
  • An article's established era style should not be changed without reasons specific to its content; seek consensus on the talk page first (applying Tɛmplet:Section link) by opening a discussion under a heading using the word era, or another similarly expressive heading, and briefly stating why the style should be changed.
  • BCE and CE or BC and AD are written in upper case, unspaced, without a full stop (period), and separated from the numeric year by a space (Tɛmplet:Xt, not Tɛmplet:!xt). It is advisable to use a non-breaking space.
  • AD appears before or after a year (Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt); the other abbreviations appear only after (Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt).
  • In general, omit CE or AD, except to avoid ambiguity or awkwardness.
    • Typically, write Tɛmplet:Xt not Tɛmplet:!xt or Tɛmplet:!xt.
    • But Tɛmplet:Xt (not simply Tɛmplet:!xt) may avoid confusion unless the era is clear from context.
    • One- and two-digit years may look more natural with an era marker (Tɛmplet:Nobr or Tɛmplet:Nobr, not Tɛmplet:Nobr nor Tɛmplet:Nobr
    • Ranges beginning in BC/BCE should specify the ending era: write Tɛmplet:Nobr or Tɛmplet:Nobr or Tɛmplet:Nobr, but not Tɛmplet:Nobr. Tɛmplet:See below
• Uncalibrated (BCE) radiocarbon dates: Calibrated and uncalibrated dates can diverge widely, and some sources distinguish the two only via BCE or BC (for calibrated dates) versus bce or bc (uncalibrated). When feasible, avoid uncalibrated dates except in direct quotations, and even then ideally give the calibrated date in a footnote or square-bracketed noteTɛmplet:SndTɛmplet:Xt, or at least indicate the date typeTɛmplet:SndTɛmplet:Xt. This also applies to other dating systems in which a calibration distinction is drawn.
• BP or YBP: In scientific and academic contexts, BP (Before Present) or YBP (years Before Present) are often used. (Present in this context by convention refers to JanuaryTɛmplet:Nbsp1, 1950.) Write Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt but not forms such as Tɛmplet:!xt and Tɛmplet:!xt. If one of the abbreviated forms is used, link to Before Present on first use: Tɛmplet:Xt
• Tɛmplet:AnchorOther era systems may be appropriate in an article. In such cases, dates should be followed by a conversion to Anno Domini or Common Era, and the first instance linked: Tɛmplet:Xt, or Tɛmplet:Nobr.
  • Astronomical year numbering is similar to the Common Era. There is no need to follow a year expressed with astronomical year numbering with a conversion to Common Era. The first instance of a non-positive year should still be linked: Tɛmplet:Xt (The expressions Tɛmplet:Xt and Tɛmplet:Xt refer to the same year.)

Julian and Gregorian calendars

A date can be given in any appropriate calendar, as long as it is (at the minimum) given in the Julian calendar or the Gregorian calendar or both, as described below. For example, an article on the early history of Islam may give dates in both Islamic and Julian calendars. Where a calendar other than the Julian or Gregorian is used, the article must make this clear.

• Current events are dated using the Gregorian calendar.
• Dates of events in countries using the Gregorian calendar at that time are given in the Gregorian calendar. This includes some of the Continent of Europe from 1582, the British Empire from 14Tɛmplet:NbspSeptember 1752, and Russia from 14Tɛmplet:NbspFebruary 1918 Tɛmplet:Crossref.
• Dates before 15Tɛmplet:NbspOctober 1582 (when the Gregorian calendar was first adopted in some places) are normally given in the Julian calendar.
• Dates after 4Tɛmplet:NbspOctoberTɛmplet:Nbsp1582 in a place where the Julian calendar was observed should be given in the Julian calendar.
• For either the Julian or Gregorian calendars, the beginning of the year should be treated as 1Tɛmplet:NbspJanuary even if a different start-of-year date was observed in the place being discussed.
• Dates for Roman history before 45Tɛmplet:NbspBC are given in the Roman calendar, which was neither Julian nor Gregorian. When (rarely) the Julian equivalent is certain, it may be included.
• For dates in early Egyptian and Mesopotamian history, Julian or Gregorian equivalents are often uncertain. Follow the consensus of reliable sources, or indicate their divergence.

The dating method used should follow that used by reliable secondary sources (or if reliable sources disagree, that used most commonly, with an explanatory footnote). The guidance above is in line with the usage of reliable sources such as American National Biography, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, and Encyclopædia Britannica.Tɛmplet:Efn

Where it is not obvious that a given date should be given in Julian alone or in Gregorian alone, consider giving both styles, for example by using Tɛmplet:Tl. If a date appears without being specified as Old Style or New Style, tagging that date with Tɛmplet:Tl will add the page to Category:Articles containing ambiguous dates for further attention.

If an article contains Julian calendar dates after 4 October 1582 (as in the October Revolution), or if a start-of-year date other than 1 January was in force in the place being discussed, or both, a footnote should be provided on the first usage, explaining the calendar usage adopted for the article. The calendar usage should be compatible with this guideline.

Ranges

• A simple yearTɛmplet:Ndashyear range is written using an en dash (–, – or Tɛmplet:Tlx, or Tɛmplet:Tlx for a non-breaking en dash), not an em dash, hyphen, or slash; this dash is Tɛmplet:Em (that is, with no space on either side); and the end year is usually given in full:
  • Tɛmplet:Xt;Tɛmplet:Nbsp Tɛmplet:Xt (not Tɛmplet:!xt);Tɛmplet:Nbsp Tɛmplet:Xt (not Tɛmplet:!xt)
    • Markup: 1881Tɛmplet:Tl1882 or 1881–1882
  • Although non-abbreviated years are generally Tɛmplet:Em, two-digit ending years (Tɛmplet:Xt, but never Tɛmplet:!xt or Tɛmplet:!xt) Tɛmplet:Em be used in any of the following cases: (1) two consecutive years; (2) infoboxes and tables where space is limited (using a single format consistently in any given table column); and (3) in certain topic areas if there is a very good reason, such as matching the established convention of reliable sources.Tɛmplet:Efn For consistency, avoid abbreviated year ranges when they would be used alongside non-abbreviated ranges within an article (or related pages, if in titles). Never use abbreviated years for ranges across centuries (Tɛmplet:Xt, not Tɛmplet:!xt) or for years from the first millennium (Tɛmplet:Xt, not Tɛmplet:!xt).
  • The Tɛmplet:Visible anchor (Tɛmplet:Xt) may be used to signify a fiscal year or other special period, if that convention is used in reliable sources.
• Other "simple" ranges use an Tɛmplet:Em en dash as well:
  • dayTɛmplet:Ndashday: Tɛmplet:Xt;Tɛmplet:Nbsp Tɛmplet:Xt;Tɛmplet:Nbsp Tɛmplet:Xt.
  • monthTɛmplet:Ndashmonth: Tɛmplet:Xt;Tɛmplet:Nbsp Tɛmplet:Xt;Tɛmplet:Nbsp (but Tɛmplet:Xt uses a Tɛmplet:Em en dash; Tɛmplet:Crossref)
• In certain cases where at least one item on either side of the en dash contains a space, then a Tɛmplet:Em en dash (Tɛmplet:Tlx) is used. For example:
  • between specific dates in different months: Tɛmplet:Xt;Tɛmplet:Nbsp Tɛmplet:Xt
  • between dates in different years:
    • Tɛmplet:Xt
      • Markup: 12Tɛmplet:TFebruary 1809Tɛmplet:Tl19Tɛmplet:TApril 1882 or Tɛmplet:Nowrap
    • Tɛmplet:Xt
  • between months in different years: Tɛmplet:Xt;Tɛmplet:Nbsp Tɛmplet:Xt
    • Markup: March 1822Tɛmplet:TJanuaryTɛmplet:T1, 1823 or Tɛmplet:Nowrap
  • Where era designations, c. or other modifiers are present Tɛmplet:See below:
    • if the modifier applies to only one of the two endpoints of the range, use a Tɛmplet:Em en dash: Tɛmplet:Nobr, Tɛmplet:Nobr, Tɛmplet:Nobr
    • if the modifier applies to the range as a whole, Tɛmplet:Em the modifier: Tɛmplet:Nobr, Tɛmplet:Nobr, Tɛmplet:Nobr, Tɛmplet:Nobr, Tɛmplet:Nobr.
• Use an en dash, or a word such as from or between, but not both: Tɛmplet:Xt (not Tɛmplet:!xt);Tɛmplet:Nbsp Tɛmplet:Xt (not Tɛmplet:!xt)

• MOS:DATED says "terms such as ... 'present' should usually be avoided". For ranges, if "to present" or "Tɛmplet:Ndashpresent" is used, the current year (or, in cases where necessary, date) of "present" at the time of writing should be included. Thus Tɛmplet:NobrTɛmplet:Sndif writing in 2025Tɛmplet:Sndis preferable to Tɛmplet:Nobr. If the "from" date has an internal space, a spaced en dash is used. Other constructions may be more appropriate in prose Tɛmplet:Crossref. An alternative form is Tɛmplet:Xt.

In tables and infoboxes where space is limited, pres. may be used (Tɛmplet:Xt). Do not use incomplete-looking constructions such as Tɛmplet:Nobr and Tɛmplet:Nobr

• Consider adding the Tɛmplet:T, or Tɛmplet:T templates to such constructions, depending on how important it is for editors to keep "present" up to date.

• For a person still living: Tɛmplet:Xt, not Tɛmplet:!xt or Tɛmplet:!xt.

  Do not use * to indicate born; use b. only where space is limited e.g. tables and infoboxes; use either born or b. consistently in any given table column.

• Where birthdate is unknown: Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt

  Do not use † to indicate died; use d. only where space is limited, with consistency within any given table column.

• An overnight period may be expressed using a slash between two contiguous dates: Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt.

  Or use an en dash: (unspaced) Tɛmplet:Xt;Tɛmplet:Nbsp (spaced) Tɛmplet:Xt.

• The Tɛmplet:Tlx template can keep ages current in infoboxes and so on:
  • {{age|1989|7|23}} returns: Tɛmplet:Xt
  • {{age|1989|7|23}}-year-old returns: Tɛmplet:Xt
  • {{age|1989|7|23}} years old returns: Tɛmplet:Xt
• Date mathematics templates are available for other age calculations.

Uncertain, incomplete, or approximate dates

• To indicate "around", "approximately", or "about", the use of the Tɛmplet:Tlx template is preferred at first occurrence over just Tɛmplet:!xt. At later occurrences, Tɛmplet:Xt is preferred over Tɛmplet:!xt, Tɛmplet:!xt, Tɛmplet:!xt, Tɛmplet:!xt, Tɛmplet:!xt, Tɛmplet:!xt, or Tɛmplet:!xt:
  • Tɛmplet:Xt
  • Tɛmplet:Xt
• Where both endpoints of a range are approximate, c. should appear before each date (the two-argument form of Tɛmplet:Tlx does this):
  • Tɛmplet:Xt (not Tɛmplet:!xt)
  • Tɛmplet:Xt (not Tɛmplet:!xt)
• Where birth/death limits have been inferred from known dates of activity:
  • Tɛmplet:Xt
  • Tɛmplet:Xt
  • Tɛmplet:Xt
• When birth and death dates are unknown, but the person is known to have been active ("flourishing") during certain years, Tɛmplet:Xt, [[Floruit|fl.]], or Tɛmplet:Tlx may be used:
  • Tɛmplet:Xt
  • Tɛmplet:Xt

The corresponding template Tɛmplet:Tlx produces reign output: Tɛmplet:Xt, though it is often clearer to write out Tɛmplet:Xt, especially in the lead. With both of these templates, linked forms should not be used on disambiguation pages, and "active" followed by the range is a better alternative for occupations not relating to the composition of works, whether it be musical, grammatical, historical, or any other such work.

• When a date is known to be either of two years (e.g. from a regnal or AH year conversion, or a known age at death):
  • Tɛmplet:Xt
• Other forms of uncertainty should be expressed in words, either in article text or in a footnote: Tɛmplet:Xt. Do not use a question mark (Tɛmplet:!xt), because it fails to communicate the nature of the uncertainty.
• Where Tɛmplet:Xt or a similar form appears which applies only to one of the two endpoints of the range, use a spaced en dash ({{snd}}).
  • Examples: Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt.
  • Markup: Tɛmplet:Nobr, Tɛmplet:Nobr, Tɛmplet:Nobr, Tɛmplet:Nobr.
• Where a modifier applies to the range as a whole, such as Tɛmplet:Xt and Tɛmplet:Xt, use a spaced or unspaced en dash as appropriate to the range if this modifier is disregarded.
  • Examples: Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt.
• Some modifiers, such as Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt, and Tɛmplet:Xt, sometimes apply to only one endpoint, and sometimes to the whole range. Whether the en dash should be spaced or unspaced should still be determined by the above guidelines, but consider rephrasing if the result is ambiguous or possibly confusing.
  • Tɛmplet:Nobr and Tɛmplet:Nobr mean two different things, which may not be obvious to the reader.
  • Tɛmplet:Nobr can have two different meanings, and which one is meant may not be clear.
  • Tɛmplet:Nobr clearly has Tɛmplet:Xt applying only to one endpoint, but the range is ambiguous. Consider using Tɛmplet:Nobr, Tɛmplet:Nobr, or Tɛmplet:Nobr, depending on what is meant.
  • Technically, Tɛmplet:Nobr is currently unambiguous (because there is no Taishō 57), but it is better to use both era designations in this case: Tɛmplet:Nobr.
• Ideally a non-breaking space should follow very short modifiers such as Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt, and Tɛmplet:Xt

Times of day

Context determines whether the 12- or 24-hour clock is used. In all cases, colons separate hours, minutes, and (where present) seconds, e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt. Use figures (Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt) rather than words (Tɛmplet:!xt).

• 12-hour clock times end with lower-case Tɛmplet:Xtn or Tɛmplet:Xtn, or Tɛmplet:Xtn or Tɛmplet:Xtn, preceded by a non-breaking space, e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt (markup: 2:30Tɛmplet:Tlp.m. or 2:30Tɛmplet:Tlpm), not Tɛmplet:!xt or Tɛmplet:!xt. Hours should not have a leading zero (e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt, not Tɛmplet:!xt). Usually, use Tɛmplet:Xt and Tɛmplet:Xt rather than Tɛmplet:!xt and Tɛmplet:!xt; whether "midnight" refers to the start or the end of a date should be explicitly specified unless clear from the context. Where several times that are all a.m. or all p.m. appear in close proximity, then a.m. or p.m. need be given only once if there is no risk of confusion.
• 24-hour clock times have no a.m., p.m., noon or midnight suffix, and include a colon (Tɛmplet:Xt not Tɛmplet:!xt). Hours under 10 should have a leading zero (Tɛmplet:Xt). The time Tɛmplet:Xt refers to midnight at the start of a date, Tɛmplet:Xt to noon, and Tɛmplet:Xt to midnight at the end of a date, but Tɛmplet:!xt should not be used for the first hour of the next day (e.g. use Tɛmplet:Xt for ten minutes after midnight, not Tɛmplet:!xt).

Time zones

Tɛmplet:Shortcut Give dates and times appropriate to the time zone where an event took place. For example, the date of the attack on Pearl Harbor should be DecemberTɛmplet:Nbsp7, 1941 (Hawaii time/Tɛmplet:Zwspdate). Give priority to the place at which the event had its most significant effects; for example, if a hacker in Monaco attacked a Pentagon computer in the US, use the time zone for the Pentagon, where the attack had its effect. In some cases, the best solution may be to add the date and time in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). For example:

Alternatively, include just the UTC offset:

Rarely, the time zone in which an event took place has since changed; for example, China until 1949 was divided into five time zones, whereas all of modern China is one time zone; UTC+8. Similarly, the term "UTC" is not appropriate for dates before this system was adopted in 1960; Universal Time (UT) is the appropriate term for the mean time at the prime meridian (Greenwich) when it is unnecessary to specify the precise definition of the time scale. Be sure to show the UTC or offset appropriate to the clock time in use at the time of the event, not the modern time zone, if they differ.

Days of the week

• Where space is limited (e.g. tables), days of the week may be abbreviated as Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt (without dots, i.e. not Tɛmplet:!xt, Tɛmplet:!xt, etc.).

Seasons of the year

• Do not use seasons to refer to a particular time of year (Tɛmplet:!xt) as this would be ambiguous; the seasons are six months apart in the northern and southern hemispheres; winter in the northern hemisphere spans two calendar years, as does summer in the southern hemisphere; and areas near the equator have only wet and dry seasons. Unambiguous alternatives include Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt.
  • Referring to a season by name is appropriate when it is part of a conventional name or designation (Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt).
• Season names are generally not capitalized (Tɛmplet:Xt), except when personified (Tɛmplet:Xt) or when part of a formal name (Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt) that is capitalized under the guidelines for capitalization. They are capitalized when part of the title of a work (Tɛmplet:Xt), except that seasonal editions may be lower-cased in running text (Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt).

Decades

• To refer to a decade as a chronological period Tɛmplet:Lang (not with reference to a social era or cultural phenomenon), always use four digits and an s, as in Tɛmplet:Xt. Do not use Tɛmplet:!xt, or Tɛmplet:!xt.
  • Prefixes should be hyphenated (Tɛmplet:Xt;Tɛmplet:Nbsp Tɛmplet:Xt).
  • Adjectives should not be hyphenated (Tɛmplet:Xt).
• For a social era or cultural phenomenon associated with a particular decade:
  • Two digits (with a preceding apostrophe) may be used as an alternative to four digits, but only in well-established phrases seen in reliable sources: Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:XtTɛmplet:Mdashbut Tɛmplet:Xt. Do not write: Tɛmplet:!xt; Tɛmplet:!xt; or Tɛmplet:!xt.
  • Another alternative (where seen in reliable sources) is to spell the decade out, capitalized: Tɛmplet:Xt.

Centuries and millennia

The sequence of numbered years in dates runs Tɛmplet:Xt; there is no "year zero".

• Treat the 1st century AD as years Tɛmplet:Nobr, the 17th century as Tɛmplet:Nobr, and the second millennium as Tɛmplet:Nobr; similarly, the 1st century BC/BCE was Tɛmplet:Nobr BC/BCE, the 17th century BC/BCE was Tɛmplet:Nobr BC/BCE, and the second millennium Tɛmplet:Nobr BC/BCE.
• Centuries and millennia are identified using either Arabic numerals (Tɛmplet:Nobr) or words (Tɛmplet:Xt), with in-article consistency (MOS:ORDINAL notwithstanding). When used adjectivally they contain a hyphen (Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt). Do not use superscripts (Tɛmplet:!xt).
• Do not capitalize (Tɛmplet:!xt;Tɛmplet:NbspTɛmplet:!xt)
• Do not use Roman numerals (Tɛmplet:!xt).
• Tɛmplet:Xt refers to the period (Tɛmplet:Nobr), while strictly Tɛmplet:!xt refers either to (Tɛmplet:Nobr) or (Tɛmplet:Nobr)
  • When using forms such as Tɛmplet:Xt, ensure there is no ambiguity as to whether the century or the decade is meant.
• Tɛmplet:Crossref

Long periods of time

• When the term is frequent, combine Tɛmplet:XtnTɛmplet:Nbsp(years) or Tɛmplet:XtnTɛmplet:Nbsp(years ago) with Tɛmplet:XtnTɛmplet:Nbsp(thousand): Tɛmplet:Xtn, Tɛmplet:Xtn; Tɛmplet:XtnTɛmplet:Nbsp(million): Tɛmplet:Xtn, Tɛmplet:Xtn; and Tɛmplet:XtnTɛmplet:Nbsp(short-scale billion): Tɛmplet:Xtn, Tɛmplet:Xtn. Tɛmplet:Crossref
• In academic contexts, annus-based units are often used with an SI prefix: Tɛmplet:XtnTɛmplet:Nbsp(kiloannus), Tɛmplet:XtnTɛmplet:Nbsp(megaannus), and Tɛmplet:XtnTɛmplet:Nbsp(gigaannus). Tɛmplet:Crossref
• Show the meaning parenthetically, and consider linking to the appropriate section of the Year article Tɛmplet:Crossref on first occurrence and where the use is a standalone topic of interest. In source quotations, use square brackets: Tɛmplet:Xt

Numbers

Numbers as figures or words

Generally, in article text:

• Integers from zero to nine are spelled out in words.
• Integers greater than nine Tɛmplet:Em may be expressed either in numerals or in words (Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Nobr, Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Nobr). When written as words, integers from 21 to 99 that are not multiples of 10 are hyphenated (including when part of a larger number): Tɛmplet:Nobr and Tɛmplet:Nobr, but Tɛmplet:Xt and Tɛmplet:Xt.

Tɛmplet:AnchorTɛmplet:Shortcut Notes and exceptions:

• Avoid beginning a sentence with a figure:
  • Use: Tɛmplet:Nowrap Or: Tɛmplet:Nowrap
  • Not: Tɛmplet:!xt
  • Use: Tɛmplet:Xt
  • Not: Tɛmplet:Nowrap (Nor: Tɛmplet:Nowrap comparable numbers should be both written in words or both in figures.)
• In tables and infoboxes, quantities are expressed in figures (Tɛmplet:Xt); but numbers within a table's explanatory text and comments follow the general rule.
• Numbers in mathematical formulae are never spelled out (Tɛmplet:Nobr not Tɛmplet:Nobr), and "numbers as numbers" are rarely spelled out in other mathematical contexts (Tɛmplet:Xt not Tɛmplet:!xt; but Tɛmplet:Xt and Tɛmplet:Xt).
• Sport scores and vote tallies should be given as numerical figures (Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt, though Tɛmplet:Xt would be acceptable, instead of Tɛmplet:Xtn).
• Comparable values nearby one another should be all spelled out or all in figures, even if one of the numbers would normally be written differently: Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt, but not Tɛmplet:!xt.
  • Similar guidance applies where "mixed units" are used to represent a single value (as is often done with time durations, and in the imperial and US customary systems): Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt.
• Adjacent quantities not comparable should ideally be in Tɛmplet:Em Tɛmplet:Nobr or Tɛmplet:Nobr, not Tɛmplet:Nobr or Tɛmplet:Nobr.
  • Avoid awkward juxtapositions: Tɛmplet:Xt, not Tɛmplet:Nobr.
• Sometimes figures and words carry different meanings; for example, Tɛmplet:Xt implies there is a single exception (without specifying which), while Tɛmplet:Xt implies that locker numberTɛmplet:Nbsp1 was the only locker not searched.
• Proper names, technical terms, and the like are never altered: [[10 Downing Street|Tɛmplet:Xt]],Tɛmplet:Nbsp [[Nine Inch Nails|Tɛmplet:Xt]],Tɛmplet:Nbsp [[Channel 8 (Thailand)|Tɛmplet:Xt]],Tɛmplet:Nbsp [[Seven Samurai|Tɛmplet:Xt]],Tɛmplet:Nbsp [[The Sixth Sense|Tɛmplet:Xt]],Tɛmplet:Nbsp [[Chanel No. 5|Tɛmplet:Xt]],Tɛmplet:Nbsp [[Fourth Estate|Tɛmplet:Xt]],Tɛmplet:Nbsp [[The Third Man|Tɛmplet:Xt]],Tɛmplet:Nbsp [[Second Coming|Tɛmplet:Xt]],Tɛmplet:Nbsp [[First Amendment|Tɛmplet:Xt]],Tɛmplet:Nbsp [[Zero Hour!|Tɛmplet:Xt]],Tɛmplet:Nbsp "[[Less than Zero (Elvis Costello song)|Tɛmplet:Xt]]", Tɛmplet:Nbsp [[C7 vertebra|Tɛmplet:Xt]].
• Figures as figures: Use a figure when the figure itself (its glyph, shape, etc.) is meant: Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt. Tɛmplet:Crossref
• Only figures are used with unit Tɛmplet:Em (Tɛmplet:Xt not Tɛmplet:!xt); but figures or words may be used with unit Tɛmplet:Em (Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt), subject to the provisions above.

Other numbers

• Other numbers are given in numerals (Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt) or in forms such as Tɛmplet:Xt (or billion, trillion, etc.Tɛmplet:Sndbut rarely thousand or hundred). Markup: Tɛmplet:Nowrap
  • Billion and trillion are understood to represent their short-scale values of 10⁹Tɛmplet:Nbsp(1,000,000,000) and 10¹²Tɛmplet:Nbsp(1,000,000,000,000), respectively. Keep this in mind when translating articles from non-English or older sources.
  • Tɛmplet:Xt (unspaced, capitalized) or Tɛmplet:Xt (unspaced), respectively, may be used for "million" or "billion" after a number, when the word has been spelled out at the first occurrence (Tɛmplet:Xt).
  • SI prefixes and symbols, such as Tɛmplet:XtnTɛmplet:Nbsp(Tɛmplet:Xtn), Tɛmplet:XtnTɛmplet:Nbsp(Tɛmplet:Xtn) and Tɛmplet:XtnTɛmplet:Nbsp(Tɛmplet:Xtn), should be used only with units of measure as appropriate to the field and not to express large quantities in other contexts. Examples of misuse: Tɛmplet:!xt
  • Sometimes, the variety of English used in an article may suggest the use of a numbering system other than the Western thousands-based system. For example, the Indian numbering system is conventionally used for certain things (especially monetary amounts) in South Asian English. This is discouraged in Wikipedia articles by Tɛmplet:Section link.
    • When it is done anyway, for contextually important reasons, link the first spelled-out instance of each quantity (e.g. [[crore]], which yields: crore). If no instances are spelled out, provide a note after the first instance, directing the reader to the article about the numbering system.
    • Provide a conversion to Western numbers for the first instance of each quantity (For Indian figures, the templates Tɛmplet:Tlx and Tɛmplet:Tlx may be used for this purpose), and provide conversions for subsequent instances if they do not overwhelm the content of the article. For example, write Tɛmplet:Xt. When converting a currency amount, use the exchange rate that applied at the time being written about; the Tɛmplet:Tlx template can be used for this purpose, or specialized templates for a currency such as Tɛmplet:Tlx (for Indian Rupees) or Tɛmplet:Tlx (for Korean Won) can be used.
    • Group digits in Western thousands-based style (e.g., Tɛmplet:Xt; not Tɛmplet:!xt); Tɛmplet:Crossref.
    • An article's variety of English does not uniquely determine its formatting of numbers. Other considerationsTɛmplet:Sndsuch as conventions used in mathematics, science, and engineeringTɛmplet:Sndmay also apply. In general, choice and order of formats and conversions is a matter of editorial discretion and consensus at the article.

Ordinals

• The general principles set out in Tɛmplet:Section link apply to ordinals. In particular, do not start a sentence with a figure, and generally use Tɛmplet:Xt through Tɛmplet:Xt, not Tɛmplet:!xt through Tɛmplet:!xt, for single-digit ordinals.
• In "suffix" forms, use two-letter suffixes: Tɛmplet:Xt and so on (Tɛmplet:Xt not Tɛmplet:!xt). Do not superscript (e.g. Tɛmplet:!xt).
• Do not use ordinals for dates (see MOS:BADDATE).
• In English text, do not use a dot (Tɛmplet:!xt) or the ordinal indicator (Tɛmplet:!xt). The masculine Tɛmplet:Xt or feminine Tɛmplet:Xt ordinal indicator is acceptable in names, quotations, etc. from languages that conventionally use it. An Italian example: Tɛmplet:Xt not Tɛmplet:!xt or Tɛmplet:!xt. Use HTML markup for languages that do not have a special character but conventionally use a superscript, like Tɛmplet:Xt in French.
• Regnal numbers are normally written with ASCII Roman numerals (without suffix, e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt not Tɛmplet:!xt or Tɛmplet:!xt).

Number ranges

Like Tɛmplet:Crossref, number ranges and page ranges should state the full value of both the beginning and end of the range, separated by an en dash: Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt. Except within quotations, avoid abbreviated forms such as Tɛmplet:!xt or Tɛmplet:!xt, which are not understood universally, are sometimes ambiguous, and can cause inconsistent metadata to be created in citations.

Sport scores, vote tallies, etc.

These use an unspaced en dash, directly or with the template Tɛmplet:Tlx AKA Tɛmplet:Tlx:

• Tɛmplet:Xt
• Tɛmplet:Xt

To avoid potential line breaks, use Tɛmplet:Tlx around the entire score construction, or use Tɛmplet:Tlx between scores instead of Tɛmplet:Tlx.

Singular versus plural

• Nouns following simple fractions are singular (Tɛmplet:Xt;Tɛmplet:Nbsp Tɛmplet:Xt;Tɛmplet:Nbsp Tɛmplet:Xt).
• Nouns following mixed numbers are plural (Tɛmplet:Xt;Tɛmplet:Nbsp Tɛmplet:Xt).
• Nouns following the lone, unsigned digit 1 (one) are singular, but those following other decimal numbers (i.e. base-10 numbers not involving fractions) are plural (Tɛmplet:Xt;Tɛmplet:Nbsp Tɛmplet:Xt;Tɛmplet:Nbsp Tɛmplet:Xt;Tɛmplet:Nbsp Tɛmplet:Xt but Tɛmplet:Xt;Tɛmplet:Nbsp Tɛmplet:Xt;Tɛmplet:Nbsp Tɛmplet:Xt).
• The same rules apply to numbers given in words (Tɛmplet:Xt;Tɛmplet:Nbsp Tɛmplet:Xt;Tɛmplet:Nbsp Tɛmplet:Xt;Tɛmplet:Nbsp Tɛmplet:Xt).

Fractions and ratios

• Where numerator and denominator can each be expressed in one word, a fraction is usually spelled out (e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:NbspTɛmplet:Xt); use figures if a fraction appears with a symbol (e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt (markup: Tɛmplet:Tlf mi), not Tɛmplet:!xt or Tɛmplet:!xt). A common exception is a series of values: Tɛmplet:Xt.
• Mixed numbers may be given in figures or words (perhaps applying the guidance above to the integer part). If given in figures, they are unspaced (not Tɛmplet:!xt or Tɛmplet:!xt but Tɛmplet:Xt (markup: {{frac|9|3|4}})). In any case the integer and fractional parts should be consistent (not Tɛmplet:!xt).
• Metric (SI) measurements generally use decimals, not fractions (Tɛmplet:Xt, not Tɛmplet:!xt).
• Non-metric (imperial and US customary) measurements may use fractions or decimals (Tɛmplet:Xt;Tɛmplet:NbspTɛmplet:Xt); the practice of reliable sources should be followed, and within-article consistency is desirable.
• In science and mathematics articles, mixed numbers are rarely used (use Tɛmplet:Xt rather than Tɛmplet:!xt). The use of Tɛmplet:Tlx is discouraged; instead use one of these styles:
  • $\frac{1}{2}$ (markup: <math>\textstyle\frac{1}{2}</math>)
  • Tɛmplet:Xt (markup: Tɛmplet:Tlx)
  • Tɛmplet:Xt (markup: 1/2)
• Do not use precomposed fraction characters such as Tɛmplet:!xt (deprecated markup: Tɛmplet:!mxt or Tɛmplet:!mxt).Tɛmplet:Efn
  • Except: If ¼, ½, and ¾Tɛmplet:Efn are the only fractions needed, they may be used in an article, or category name, maintaining typographical consistency within an article where possible. (Examples: Floppy disk, Ranma ½, chess notation, Category:4 ft 6½ in gauge railways‎.)
  • For other fractions, where templates cannot be used due to technical limitations, use the ASCII representation with spaces. For example, Category:4 ft 10 7/8 in gauge railways.
• Ordinal suffixes such as Tɛmplet:Xtn should not be used with fractions expressed in figures (not Tɛmplet:!xt; Tɛmplet:!xt, but Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt).
• For dimensionless ratios (i.e. those without accompanying units), place a colon between integers, or place to between numbers-as-words: Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Nobr, not Tɛmplet:Nobr or Tɛmplet:Nobr The same style is used to express odds in sport, gambling, and other statistical predictions.
  • Use a colon (spaced) when one or more decimal points is present Tɛmplet:Nobr Tɛmplet:Nobr
  • Do not use the colon form where units are involved (Tɛmplet:!xt)Tɛmplet:Mdashbinstead see ratios section of table at § Unit names and symbols, below.

Decimals

• Use a period/full point (.) as the decimal separator, Tɛmplet:Em a comma: Tɛmplet:Xt, not Tɛmplet:!xt.
• Numbers between −1 and +1 require a leading zero (Tɛmplet:Xt, not Tɛmplet:!xt); exceptions are sporting performance averages (Tɛmplet:Xt) and conventional terms such as Tɛmplet:Xt.
• Although repeating digits may be indicated with an overbar (e.g. Tɛmplet:Nowrap gives Tɛmplet:Xt), users of screen readers will not hear any indication of the overbar. Apart from in mathematics articles, consider rounding to a reasonable resolution instead (e.g. a half farthing Tɛmplet:Xt not Tɛmplet:!xt, an inch Tɛmplet:Xt not Tɛmplet:!xt), or showing initial repeats before the overbar (e.g. 0.33Tɛmplet:Overline). If overbars are used, consider explaining the notation on first use. Do not write e.g. Tɛmplet:Nobr because it resembles notation for uncertainty.

Grouping of digits

Tɛmplet:Shortcut

• In general, digits should be grouped and separated either by commas or by narrow gaps (Tɛmplet:Em a period/full point).
  • Grouping with commas
    • Left of the decimal point, five or more digits are grouped into threes separated by commas (e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt).
    • Numbers with exactly four digits left of the decimal point may optionally be grouped (either Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt), consistently within any given article.
    • Do not use commas to the right of the decimal point, or with numbers not in base 10.
    • Markup: Tɛmplet:Tlc produces this formatting.
  • Grouping with narrow gaps
    • Digits are grouped both sides of the decimal point (e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt).
    • Digits are generally grouped into threes. Right of the decimal point, Tɛmplet:Em practice is to have a final group of four in preference to leaving an "orphaned" digit at the end (Tɛmplet:Xt, but Tɛmplet:Xt would also be acceptable). In mathematics-oriented articles long strings may be grouped into fives (e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt).
    • This style is especially recommended for articles related to science, technology, engineering or mathematics, though in these contexts there may be cases in which grouping confuses rather than clarifies. (For example, for fractions written in horizontal format, adding spaces to a fraction like 123456/127 would cause it to be misread as 123Tɛmplet:Sfrac or 1Tɛmplet:Sfrac.)
    • Markup: Templates Tɛmplet:Tlx or Tɛmplet:Tlx may be used to produce this formatting. Note that use of Tɛmplet:Em space character as a separator in numbers, including non-breaking space, is problematic for screen readers. Tɛmplet:Crossref Screen readers read out each Tɛmplet:Em of digits as separate numbers (e.g. 30Tɛmplet:Tl000 is read as "thirty zero zero zero"). The output of Tɛmplet:Tlx and Tɛmplet:Tlx is compatible with screen readers.
• Delimiting style should be consistent throughout a given article.
  • Either use commas or narrow gaps, but not both in the same article.
  • Either group the thousands in a four-digit number or do not, but not mixed use in the same article.
  • However, grouping by threes and fives may coexist.
• Four-digit page numbers and four-digit calendar years should never be grouped (not Tɛmplet:!xt, but Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt).

Percentages

• Throughout scientific/Tɛmplet:Zwsptechnical articles, and in tables and infoboxes in any article, the symbol % is generally preferred. No space (Tɛmplet:Xt, not Tɛmplet:!xt), and do not use mixed forms such as Tɛmplet:!xt.
• The bodyTɛmplet:Efn of non-scientific/Tɛmplet:Zwspnon-technical articles may use either the % symbol or the word(s) Tɛmplet:Xtn (American English) or Tɛmplet:Xtn (British English): Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt.
• Ranges are written Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt, or Tɛmplet:Xt; not Tɛmplet:!xt, Tɛmplet:!xt, or Tɛmplet:Nobr.
• When expressing the difference between two percentages, do not confuse a percentage change with a change in percentage points.

Scientific and engineering notation

• Scientific notation always has a single nonzero digit to the left of the point: not Tɛmplet:!xt, but Tɛmplet:Xt.
• Engineering notation is similar, but with the exponent adjusted to a multiple of three: Tɛmplet:Xt.
• Avoid mixing scientific and engineering notations: Tɛmplet:!xt.
• In a table column (or other presentation) in which all values can be expressed with a single power of 10, consider giving e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt once in the column header, and omitting it in the individual entries. (Markup: {{e|7}})
• In both notations, the number of digits indicates the precision. For example, Tɛmplet:Xt means rounded to the nearest thousand; Tɛmplet:Xt to the nearest hundred; Tɛmplet:Xt to the nearest ten; and Tɛmplet:Xt to the nearest unit.

Markup: Tɛmplet:Tlx and Tɛmplet:Tlx may be used to format exponential notation.

Uncertainty and rounding

• Where explicit uncertainty information (such as a margin of error) is available and appropriate for inclusion, it may be written in various ways:
  • Tɛmplet:Xt
  • Tɛmplet:Xt (not used with scientific notation)
  • Tɛmplet:Xt
  • Tɛmplet:Xt (equivalent to Tɛmplet:Xt)Tɛmplet:Efn
  • Tɛmplet:Xt
  • Markup: Tɛmplet:Tlx, Tɛmplet:Tlx, and Tɛmplet:Tlx may be used to format uncertainties.
• Where explicit Tɛmplet:Em (or is unimportant for the article's purposes), round to an appropriate number of significant digits; the precision presented should usually be conservative. Precise values (often given in sources for formal or matter-of-record reasons) should be used only where stable and appropriate to the context, or significant in themselves for some special reason.
  • Tɛmplet:Xt
  • Tɛmplet:Em Tɛmplet:Xt
  • Tɛmplet:Xt (not Tɛmplet:!xt)
  • Tɛmplet:Xt (not Tɛmplet:!xtTɛmplet:Sndan official figure unlikely to be accurate at full precision)
  • Tɛmplet:Em Tɛmplet:Xt (unusual case in which the full-precision official figure is truly informative)
  • Tɛmplet:Xt (likely that accurate and precise figures were determined)
  • Tɛmplet:Xt (unlikely that any precise number can be accurate, even if an official figure is issued)
  • Tɛmplet:Em Tɛmplet:Xt (in reporting conflicting information, give detail sufficient to make the contrast intelligible)
  • Tɛmplet:Xt (not Tɛmplet:!xt). Tɛmplet:Xt
• The number of decimal places should be consistent within a list or context (Tɛmplet:Xt, not Tɛmplet:!xt), unless different precisions are actually intended.
• It may sometimes be appropriate to note the Tɛmplet:Em of uncertainty information, especially where such information is normally provided and necessary for full interpretation of the figures supplied.
  • Tɛmplet:Xt
• The Tɛmplet:Tlx template may be added to figures appearing to be overprecise.
• Avoid using "approximately", "about", and similar terms with figures that have merely been approximated or rounded in a normal and expected way, unless the reader might otherwise be misled.
  • Tɛmplet:Xt (Tɛmplet:NobrTɛmplet:Sndheights are conventionally reported only to the nearest inch, even though greater precision may be available in principle)
  • Tɛmplet:Em Tɛmplet:Xt ("about" because here the precise value is unknown, with substantial uncertainty)
• The reader may be assumed to interpret large round numbers (Tɛmplet:Xt) as approximations. Writing a quantity in words (Tɛmplet:Xt), especially if the indefinite article (a/an) is used instead of the word one (Tɛmplet:Xt), can further emphasize its approximate nature.
• Tɛmplet:Crossref

Non–base-10 notations

• In computer-related articles, use the prefix 0x for hexadecimal and 0b for binary,Tɛmplet:Efn unless there is a strong reason to use some other notation.Tɛmplet:Efn Explain these prefixes in the article's introduction or on first use.
• In all other articles, use base: Tɛmplet:Base, Tɛmplet:Base. Markup: {{base|137|9}}, {{base|201|3}}
• For bases above 10, use symbols conventional for that base (as seen in reliable sources) e.g. for base 16 use Tɛmplet:Nobr.
• For octal, use Tɛmplet:Base. Avoid using a prefix unless it is needed for computer code samples, in which case explain the prefix on first use.

Mathematical formulae

There are multiple ways to display mathematical formulae, covered in detail at Tɛmplet:Section link. One uses special MediaWiki Tɛmplet:Tag markup using LaTeX syntax, which is capable of complex formulae; the other relies on conventionalized HTML formatting of simple formulae.

The Tɛmplet:Tag markup is displayed as a PNG image by default. Logged-in users can optionally have it rendered in MathML, or in HTML (via MathJax); detailed instructions are at Help:Displaying a formula.

[[Wikipedia:Manual of Style#Section headings|Do not put Tɛmplet:Tag markup in headings]].

Units of measurement

Unit choice and order

Quantities are typically expressed using an appropriate "primary unit", displayed first, followed, when appropriate, by a conversion in parentheses e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt. For details on when and how to provide a conversion, see the section Tɛmplet:Section link. The choice of primary units depends on the circumstances, and should respect the principle of "strong national ties", where applicable:

• In non-scientific articles with strong ties to the United States, the primary units are US customary (pounds, miles, feet, inches, etc.)
• In non-scientific articles with strong ties to the United Kingdom, the primary units for most quantities are metric or other internationally used units,Tɛmplet:Efn except that:
  • UK engineering-related articles, including those on bridges and tunnels, generally use the system of units in which the subject project was drawn up (but road distances are given in imperial units, with a metric conversionTɛmplet:Sndsee next bullet);
  • the primary units for distance/Tɛmplet:Zwsplength, speed and fuel consumption are miles, miles per hour, and miles per imperial gallon (except for short distances or lengths, where miles are too large for practical use);
  • the primary units for personal height and weight are feetTɛmplet:Zwsp/inches and stones/Tɛmplet:Zwsppounds;
  • imperial pints are used for quantities of draught beer/Tɛmplet:Zwspcider and bottled milk;
• In all other articles, the primary units chosen will be SI units (such as kilograms), non-SI units officially accepted for use with the SI, or such other units as are conventional in reliable-source discussions of the article topic (such as revolutions per minute (rpm) for rotational speed, hands for heights of horses, etc.)
  • the primary SI units for personal height and weight are centimetres and kilograms.

• Quantities set via definition (as opposed to measured quantities) should be given first in the units used in the definition, even if this makes the structure of presentation inconsistent: Tɛmplet:Xt.
  • Or use about to emphasize which is the statutory, exact value: Tɛmplet:Xt.
• Nominal quantities (e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt lumber) require consideration of whether the article is concerned with the item's actual dimensions or merely with its function. In some cases, the nominal quantity may suffice; in others it may be necessary to give the nominal size (often in non-SI units), the actual size in non-SI units, and the actual size in SI units.
• Whenever a conversion is given, the converted quantity's value should match the precision of the source Tɛmplet:Crossref.
• Where the article's primary units differ from the units given in the source, the Tɛmplet:Tlx template's |order=flip flag can be used; this causes the Tɛmplet:Em unit to be shown as secondary in the article, and the Tɛmplet:Em unit to be shown as primary: {{convert|200|mi|km|order=flip}} → Tɛmplet:Xt

Unit conversions

Where English-speaking countries use different units for the same quantity, provide a conversion in parentheses: Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt. But in science-related articles, supplying such conversion is not required unless there is some special reason to do so.

• Where an imperial unit is not part of the US customary system, or vice versaTɛmplet:Sndand in particular, where those systems give a single term different definitionsTɛmplet:Snda double conversion may be appropriate: Tɛmplet:Xt (markup: {{convert|80|kg|lb stlb}}); Tɛmplet:Xt (markup: {{convert|5|L/100km|mpgus mpgimp|abbr=on}}).
• Generally, conversions to and from metric units and US or imperial units should be provided, except:
  • When inserting a conversion would make a common or linked expression awkward (Tɛmplet:Xt).
  • In some topic areas (for example maritime subjects where nautical miles are the primary units, or American football where yards are primary) it can be excessive to provide a conversion for every quantity. In such cases consider noting that the article will use a particular unitTɛmplet:Sndpossibly giving the conversion factor to other, familiar units in a parenthetical note or a footnoteTɛmplet:Sndand link the first occurrence of each unit but not give a conversion every time it occurs. Applying this principle may require editorial discretion; for example, in scientific articles the expected level of reader sophistication should be taken into account.
• For units of measure that are obsolete, obscure outside of a particular specialty or geography (e.g. furlong), or not part of the SI or US customary systems (e.g. zolotnik), supply a parenthetical conversion into at least SI units. Convert each mention, unless this would be excessive given the context. Take care to distinguish between different definitions of the same unit if it has changed over time or differs geographically (e.g. cubit, batman). An approximate or range conversion is acceptable if the exact historical value is uncertain (e.g. stadion).
• Converted quantity values should use a Tɛmplet:Em similar to that of the source quantity value, so Tɛmplet:Xt, not Tɛmplet:!xt. Small numbers, especially if approximate, may need to be converted to a range where rounding would cause a significant distortion, so Tɛmplet:Xt, not Tɛmplet:!xt. Be careful especially when your source has already converted from the units you're now converting back to. This may be evidenced by multiples of common conversion factors in the data, such as 160 km (from 100 miles). Tɛmplet:Crossref
• Tɛmplet:Tlx and other conversion templates can be used to convert and format many common units, and have options to respect significant figures. To avoid problems with rounding and significant figures, for input to conversion templates use only the original quantity found in reliable sources, not one that a source has already converted. If required by the above rules, the conversion output can be displayed as the primary units with "order=flip". Conversion output can be displayed as the only units with "disp=out"; this retains the original quantity in wikitext for verification by editors.
• In a direct quotation, always retain the source units. Any conversions can be supplied either in the quote itself (in square brackets, following the original measurement) or in a footnote. Tɛmplet:Crossref
• Tɛmplet:Tlx may be added to articles needing general attention regarding choice of units and unit conversions.

Unit names and symbols

Tɛmplet:Em

• Examples of unit names: foot, metre, kilometre, (US: meter, kilometer).
• Examples of unit symbols: ft, m, km.

• Unit names and symbols should follow the practice of reliable sources.
• In prose, unit names should be given in full if used only a few times, but symbols may be used when a unit (especially one with a long name) is used repeatedly, after spelling out the first use (e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt).
  • Exception: Certain units are generally represented by their symbols (e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt rather than Tɛmplet:!xt) even on first use, though their unit names may be used for emphasis or clarity (Tɛmplet:Xt).
  • Exception: Consider using inches (but not in.) in place of in where the latter might be misread as a prepositionTɛmplet:Mdashbbut not where the value is followed by a parenthesized conversion e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt, or is part of such a conversion (Tɛmplet:Xt).
• Where space is limited, such as in tables, infoboxes, parenthetical notes, and mathematical formulas, unit symbols are preferred.
• Units unfamiliar to general readers should be presented as a nameTɛmplet:Ndashsymbol pair on first use, linking the unit name (Tɛmplet:Xt).
• Ranges use unspaced en dash (Tɛmplet:Tlx) if only one unit symbol is used at the end (e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt), and spaced en dash (Tɛmplet:Tlx) if two symbols are used (e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt); ranges in prose may be specified using either unit symbol or unit names, and units may be stated either after both numerical values or after the last (all acceptable: Tɛmplet:Nobr; Tɛmplet:Nobr; Tɛmplet:Nobr; Tɛmplet:Nobr).
• LengthTɛmplet:Ndashwidth, lengthTɛmplet:NdashwidthTɛmplet:Ndashheight and similar dimensions may be separated by the multiplication sign (× or ×) or the word by.
  • The Tɛmplet:Xtn symbol is preceded by a space (preferably non-breaking), and followed by a space (which may also be non-breaking in short constructions), and each number should be followed by a unit name or symbol:
    • Tɛmplet:Xt, not Tɛmplet:Nobr, Tɛmplet:!xt, nor Tɛmplet:Nobr
    • Tɛmplet:Xt
    • Tɛmplet:Xt
  • With Tɛmplet:Xtn, the unit need be given only once if it is the same for all dimensions: Tɛmplet:Nobr or Tɛmplet:Nobr
  • The unspaced letter Tɛmplet:Xt may be used in common terms such as Tɛmplet:Xt.

Tɛmplet:Vanchor

Tɛmplet:Vert header	Guideline	Acceptable	Unacceptable
rowspan=8 Tɛmplet:Vert header	Except as listed in the Tɛmplet:Section link table below, unit Tɛmplet:Em are uncapiTɛmplet:ShytalTɛmplet:Shyized unless they are derived from a proper name, in which case the first letter (of the base unit symbol, not of any prefix) is capitalized.Tɛmplet:Efn	Tɛmplet:Xt Tɛmplet:Xt	Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt
Unit symbols are undotted.	Tɛmplet:Xt	Tɛmplet:!xt
Unit Tɛmplet:Em are given in lower case except: where any word would be capitalTɛmplet:Shyized, or where otherwise specified in the SI brochure or this Manual of Style.	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Plainlist
	Tɛmplet:Plainlist
The spelling of certain unit names (some of which are listed in Tɛmplet:Section link, below) varies with the variety of English followed by the article.
Write unit names and symbols in upright ([[Roman type|Tɛmplet:Sic]]) type, except where emphasizing in context.	Tɛmplet:Xt Tɛmplet:Xt	Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt
	Tɛmplet:Xt
Do not use precomposed unit symbol characters.		Tɛmplet:!xt
rowspan=7 Tɛmplet:Vert header	Do not spell out numbers before unit Tɛmplet:EmTɛmplet:Nbsp...	Tɛmplet:Xt	Tɛmplet:!xt
...Tɛmplet:Nbspbut words Tɛmplet:Em figures may be used with unit Tɛmplet:Em.	Tɛmplet:Plainlist
Use a non-breaking space (Tɛmplet:Tlx or  ) between a number and a unit Tɛmplet:Em, or use Tɛmplet:TlxTɛmplet:Nbsp...	Tɛmplet:Xt Tɛmplet:Nowr or Tɛmplet:Nowr	Tɛmplet:!xt
... though with certain symbols no space is used (see "SpecificTɛmplet:Nbspunits" table below)Tɛmplet:Nbsp...	Tɛmplet:Nobr	Tɛmplet:Nobr
... and a normal space is used between a number and a unit Tɛmplet:Em.	Tɛmplet:Xt (markup: 29 kilograms)
To form a value and a unit Tɛmplet:Em into a compound adjective use a hyphen or hyphensTɛmplet:Nbsp...	Tɛmplet:Plainlist
... but a non-breaking space (never hyphen) separates a value and unit Tɛmplet:Em.	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:!xt
rowspan=5 Tɛmplet:Vert header	SI unit Tɛmplet:Em are pluralized by adding Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:XtTɛmplet:Nbsp...	Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt
... except for these irregular forms.	Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt	Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt
Some non-SI units have irregular plurals.	Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt	Tɛmplet:!xt
	Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Nobr	Tɛmplet:!xt
Unit Tɛmplet:Em (in any system) are identical in singular and plural.	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Nobr
rowspan=5 Tɛmplet:Vert header	Format exponents using <sup>, not special characters.	Tɛmplet:Xt Tɛmplet:Nobr	Tɛmplet:!xt (km&#178;)
Or use Tɛmplet:Xtn or Tɛmplet:Xtn (Tɛmplet:Em the unit being modified).	Tɛmplet:Xt	Tɛmplet:!xt
For areas or volumes only, Tɛmplet:Xtn or Tɛmplet:Xtn may be used (Tɛmplet:Em the unit being modified).		Tɛmplet:!xt
	Tɛmplet:Xt
Tɛmplet:Xtn or Tɛmplet:Xtn may be used with US customary or imperial units, but not with SI units.	Tɛmplet:Xt Tɛmplet:Xt	Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt
rowspan=4 Tɛmplet:Vert header	Indicate a product of unit Tɛmplet:Em with either a hyphen or a space.	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Plainlist
Indicate a product of unit Tɛmplet:Em with &sdot; or &nbsp;.	Tɛmplet:Plainlist
Tɛmplet:Em In some topic areas, such as power engineerTɛmplet:Shying, certain products take neither space nor &sdot;. Follow the practice of reliable sources in the article's topic area.	Tɛmplet:Plainlist
To pluralize a product of unit Tɛmplet:Em, pluralize only the final unit. (Unit Tɛmplet:Em are never pluralized.)	Tɛmplet:Xt	Tɛmplet:!xt
rowspan=7 Tɛmplet:Vert header	Indicate a ratio of unit Tɛmplet:Em with Tɛmplet:Xtn.	Tɛmplet:Xt	Tɛmplet:!xt
Indicate a ratio of unit Tɛmplet:Em with a forward slash (/), followed by either a single symbol or a parenthesized product of symbolsTɛmplet:Snddo not use multiple slashes. Or useTɛmplet:Nbsp−1,Tɛmplet:Nbsp−2, etc.	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Plainlist
	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Plainlist
To pluralize a ratio of unit Tɛmplet:Em, pluralize only the numerator unit. (Unit Tɛmplet:Em are never pluralized.)	Tɛmplet:Plainlist
Some of the special forms used in the imperial and US customary systems are shown hereTɛmplet:Nbsp...	Tɛmplet:Plainlist
... but only the slash or negative exponent notations are used with SI (and other metric) units.	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:!xt
	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:!xt
rowspan=4 Tɛmplet:Vert header	Prefixes should not be separated by a space or hyphen.	Tɛmplet:Xt	Tɛmplet:Plainlist
Prefixes are added without contraction, except as shown here:	Tɛmplet:Xt Tɛmplet:Xt Tɛmplet:Xt	Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt
The Tɛmplet:Xtn, Tɛmplet:Xtn, and Tɛmplet:Xtn prefixes should generally be avoided; exceptions include decibel, hectolitre, hectare, and hectopascal.	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:!xt
Do not use [[wikt:M#Number|Tɛmplet:!xt]] for 103, Tɛmplet:!xt for 106, or Tɛmplet:!xt for 109 (except as noted elsewhere on this page for Tɛmplet:Xtn and Tɛmplet:Xtn, e.g. for monetary values)	Tɛmplet:Xt Tɛmplet:Xt Tɛmplet:Xt	Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:!xt
rowspan=4 Tɛmplet:Vert header	Mixed units are traditionally used with the imperial and US customary systemsTɛmplet:Nbsp...	Tɛmplet:AnchorTɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Plainlist
Tɛmplet:Plainlist
... and in expressing time durationsTɛmplet:Nbsp...	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Plainlist
... but are not used with metric units.	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:!xt

Specific units

• The following table lists only units that need special attention.
• The SI Brochure should be consulted for guidance on use of other SI and non-SI units.

Guidelines on specific units

Tɛmplet:Vert header	Unit name	Unit symbol	Comment
rowspan = 8 Tɛmplet:Vert header	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Do not use ′Tɛmplet:Nbsp(Tɛmplet:!xt), ″Tɛmplet:Nbsp(Tɛmplet:!xt), apostropheTɛmplet:Nbsp(Tɛmplet:!xt), or quoteTɛmplet:Nbsp(Tɛmplet:!xt). Exception: in music, eight-foot pitch notation describes organ stops and wind instrument lengths in feet. A prime may be used with an explanation on first use, e.g. Tɛmplet:Tq; see MOS:MUSIC.
foot per second	Tɛmplet:Xt (Tɛmplet:Em Tɛmplet:!xt)
hand	Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt	Equal to 4 inches; used in measurement of horses. A dot may be followed by additional inches e.g. Tɛmplet:Nobr indicates Tɛmplet:Nobr
Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Used in aviation contexts for aircraft and wind speeds, and also used in some nautical and general meteorological contexts. When applied to aircraft speeds, Tɛmplet:Xt means Tɛmplet:Xt unless stated otherwise; if Tɛmplet:Xt is used for calibrated airspeed, equivalent airspeed, true airspeed, or groundspeed, explicitly state and link to, upon first use, the type of speed being referred to (for instance, Tɛmplet:Xt, or, if severely short of space, Tɛmplet:Xt); for airspeeds other than indicated airspeed, the use of the specific abbreviation for the type of airspeed being referred to (such as Tɛmplet:Xt) is preferred. When referring to indicated airspeed, either Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt is permissible. Groundspeeds and wind speeds must use the abbreviation Tɛmplet:Xt only.
Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Xt
micron	Tɛmplet:Xt (Tɛmplet:Em Tɛmplet:!xt)	Markup: μmTɛmplet:Nbsp Link to micrometre (for which micron is a synonym) on first use.
astronomical unit	Tɛmplet:Xt Tɛmplet:Nobr	The preferred form is Tɛmplet:Xt. Articles that already use Tɛmplet:Xtn may switch to au or continue with AU; seek consensus on the talk page.
Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	In nautical and aeronautical contexts where there is risk of confusion with nautical miles, consider writing out references to statute miles as e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt rather than simply Tɛmplet:!xt.
rowspan = 7 Tɛmplet:Vert header	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Xt	Markup: cm<sup>3</sup>
Tɛmplet:Xt		Non-SI abbreviation used for certain engine displacements. Link to Cubic centimetre on first use.
Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Xtn or Tɛmplet:Xtn (or Tɛmplet:Xtn) must be specified for all these units. Tɛmplet:Xtn or Tɛmplet:Xtn must be specified for fluid ounces (to avoid ambiguity versus avoirdupois ounce and troy ounce). For US pints and quarts, Tɛmplet:Xtn or Tɛmplet:Xtn (Tɛmplet:Xtn) are needed to be fully unambiguous, though context determines whether or not to repeat those qualifiers on every use in a given article.
cubic foot	Tɛmplet:Xt (Tɛmplet:Em Tɛmplet:!xt)	Write Tɛmplet:Xt, Tɛmplet:Xt, or Tɛmplet:Xt, not Tɛmplet:!xt.
Tɛmplet:Nobr	Tɛmplet:Xt (Tɛmplet:Em Tɛmplet:!xt)
Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Nobr	The symbol l (lowercase "el") in isolation (i.e. outside forms as ml) is easily mistaken for the digitTɛmplet:Nbsp1 or the capital Tɛmplet:Nobr and should not be used.
Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt	Derivative units of the litre may use l (lowercase "el").
rowspan=7 Tɛmplet:Vert header	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Not Tɛmplet:!xt, Tɛmplet:!xt
Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Spell out in full.
Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Xt Tɛmplet:Nobr
Tɛmplet:Nobr	Tɛmplet:Xt
Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	The qualifier Tɛmplet:Xtn or Tɛmplet:Xtn must be specified where applicable. Use the qualifier avdp (avoirdupois) only where there is risk of confusion with troy ounce, imperial fluid ounce, US fluid ounce, or troy pound; but articles about precious metals, black powder, and gemstones should always specify which type of ounce (avoirdupois or troy) is being used, noting that these materials are normally measured in troy ounces and grams.
Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Plainlist
carat	Tɛmplet:Xt	Used to express masses of gemstones and pearls.
Tɛmplet:Vert header	carat or karat	Tɛmplet:Nobr	A measure of purity for gold alloys. (Do not confuse with the unit of mass with the same spelling.)
rowspan=3 Tɛmplet:Vert header	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Do not use &prime;Tɛmplet:Nbsp(Tɛmplet:!xt), &Prime;Tɛmplet:Nbsp(Tɛmplet:!xt), apostropheTɛmplet:Nbsp(Tɛmplet:!xt) or quoteTɛmplet:Nbsp(Tɛmplet:!xt) for minutes or seconds. See also the hours–minutes–seconds formats for time durations described in the Unit names and symbols table.
year	Tɛmplet:Xt	Use Tɛmplet:Xtn only with an SI prefix multiplier (Tɛmplet:Xt, not Tɛmplet:!xt).
	Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt	Tɛmplet:Crossref
rowspan=4 Tɛmplet:Vert header	bit	Tɛmplet:Xt Tɛmplet:Nobr	Tɛmplet:Crossref Do not confuse bit/second or byte/second with baud (Bd).
byte	Tɛmplet:Nobr
bit per second	Tɛmplet:Xt (Tɛmplet:Em Tɛmplet:!xt, Tɛmplet:!xt)
byte per second	Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt Tɛmplet:Nobr
rowspan = 4 Tɛmplet:Vert header
arcminute	Tɛmplet:Xt	Markup: Tɛmplet:TlTɛmplet:Nbsp ([[prime (symbol)|prime Tɛmplet:Prime]] not apostrophe/Tɛmplet:Zwspsingle quoteTɛmplet:NbspTɛmplet:!xt). Tɛmplet:Nobr
arcsecond	Tɛmplet:Xt	Markup: Tɛmplet:TlTɛmplet:Nbsp ([[double prime (symbol)|double prime Tɛmplet:Pprime]] not double-quoteTɛmplet:NbspTɛmplet:!xt). Tɛmplet:Nobr
degree	Tɛmplet:Xt	Markup: degree ° not masculine ordinal Tɛmplet:!xt or ring Tɛmplet:ThinspTɛmplet:!xt. Tɛmplet:Nobr
rowspan = 4 Tɛmplet:Vert header	degree Fahrenheit	Tɛmplet:Xt (Tɛmplet:Em Tɛmplet:!xt)	Markup: Non-breaking space, followed by °: Tɛmplet:Nobr, not Tɛmplet:Nobr or Tɛmplet:Nobr Tɛmplet:Nobr Do not use the precomposed characters Tɛmplet:Unichar and Tɛmplet:Unichar.
degree Rankine	Tɛmplet:Xt (Tɛmplet:Em Tɛmplet:!xt)
degree Celsius Tɛmplet:Nobr	Tɛmplet:Xt (Tɛmplet:Em Tɛmplet:!xt)
kelvin Tɛmplet:Nobr	Tɛmplet:Xt (Tɛmplet:Em Tɛmplet:!xt)	Use a non-breaking space: 12{{nbsp}}K (use the normal Latin letter K, not Tɛmplet:Unichar). When writing out the unit (not usually necessary), pluralize, e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt (see Kelvin#Orthography)
rowspan = 2 Tɛmplet:Vert header	Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Xt	In certain subject areas, calorie is conventionTɛmplet:Shyally used alone; articles following this practice should specify on first use whether the use refers to the small calorie or to the kilocalorie (large calorie). Providing conversions to SI units (usually calories to joules or kilocalories to kilojoules) may also be useful. A kilocalorie (Tɛmplet:Xt) is 1000 calories. A calorie (small calorie) is the amount of energy required to heat 1 gram of water by 1Tɛmplet:Nbsp°C. A kilocalorie is also a kilogram calorie.
Tɛmplet:Plainlist	Tɛmplet:Xt

Quantities of bytes and bits

In quantities of bits and bytes, the prefixes Tɛmplet:Xtn (symbol Tɛmplet:Xtn or Tɛmplet:Xtn), Tɛmplet:Xtn (Tɛmplet:Xtn), Tɛmplet:Xtn (Tɛmplet:Xtn), Tɛmplet:Xtn (Tɛmplet:Xtn), etc., are ambiguous in general usage. The meaning may be based on a decimal system (like the standard SI prefixes), meaning 10³, 10⁶, 10⁹, 10¹², etc., or it may be based on a binary system, meaning 2¹⁰, 2²⁰, 2³⁰, 2⁴⁰, etc. The binary meanings are more commonly used in relation to solid-state memory (such as RAM), while the decimal meanings are more common for data transmission rates, disk storage and in theoretical calculations in modern academic textbooks. Tɛmplet:Bit and byte prefixes Follow these recommendations when using these prefixes in Wikipedia articles:

• Following the SI standard, a lower-case Tɛmplet:Xt should be used for "kilo-" whenever it means 1000 in computing contexts, whereas a capital Tɛmplet:Xt should be used instead to indicate the binary prefix for 1024 according to JEDEC. If, under the exceptions detailed further below, the article otherwise uses IEC prefixes for binary units, use Tɛmplet:Xt instead.
• Do not assume that the binary or decimal meaning of prefixes will be obvious to everyone. Explicitly specify the meaning of k and K as well as the primary meaning of M, G, T, etc. in an article (Tɛmplet:Tlx is a convenient helper). Consistency within each article is desirable, but the need for consistency may be balanced with other considerations.
• The definition most relevant to the article should be chosen as primary for that article, e.g. specify a binary definition in an article on RAM, decimal definition in an article on hard drives, bit rates, and a binary definition for Windows file sizes, despite files usually being stored on hard drives.
• Where consistency is not possible, specify wherever there is a deviation from the primary definition.
• Disambiguation should be shown in bytes or bits, with clear indication of whether in binary or decimal base. There is no preference in the way to indicate the number of bytes and bits, but the notation style should be consistent within an article. Acceptable examples include:
  • Tɛmplet:Xt
  • Tɛmplet:Xt
  • Tɛmplet:Xt
• Avoid combinations with inconsistent form such as Tɛmplet:!xt. Footnotes, such as those seen in Tɛmplet:Nowrap, may be used for disambiguation.
• Unless explicitly stated otherwise, one byte is eight bits (see Tɛmplet:Crossref).
• Tɛmplet:ShortcutThe IEC prefixes Tɛmplet:Xtn (symbol Tɛmplet:Xtn), Tɛmplet:Xtn (Tɛmplet:Xtn), Tɛmplet:Xtn (Tɛmplet:Xtn), etc., are generally not to be used except:Tɛmplet:Efn
  • when the majority of cited sources on the article topic use IEC prefixes;
  • in a direct quote using the IEC prefixes;
  • when explicitly discussing the IEC prefixes; or
  • in articles in which both types of prefix are used with neither clearly primary, or in which converting all quantities to one or the other type would be misleading or lose necessary precision, or declaring the actual meaning of a unit on each use would be impractical.

Currencies and monetary values

Choice of currency

• In country-specific articles, such as Economy of Australia, use the currency of the subject country.
• In non-country-specific articles, such as Wealth, use US dollars (Tɛmplet:Xt on first use, generally Tɛmplet:Xt thereafter), euros (Tɛmplet:Xt), or pounds sterling (Tɛmplet:Xt).

Currency names

• Do not capitalize the names or denominations of currencies, currency subdivisions, coins and banknotes: not Tɛmplet:!xt but Tɛmplet:Xt. Exception: where otherwise required, as at the start of a sentence or in such forms as Tɛmplet:Xt.
• To pluralize Tɛmplet:Xtn, use the standard English plurals (Tɛmplet:Xt), not the invariant plurals used for European Union legislation and banknotes (Tɛmplet:!xt). For the adjectival form, use a hyphenated singular (Tɛmplet:Xt).
• Link the first occurrence of lesser-known currencies (e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt).

Currency symbolsTɛmplet:Anchor

• In general, the first mention of a particular currency should use its full, unambiguous signifier (e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt), with subsequent references using just the appropriate symbol (e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt), unless this would be unclear. Tɛmplet:Em
  • In an article referring to multiple currencies represented by the same symbol (e.g. the dollars of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other countriesTɛmplet:SndTɛmplet:Crossref) use the full signifier (e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt, but not e.g. Tɛmplet:!xt or Tɛmplet:!xt) each time, except (possibly) where a particular context makes this both unnecessary and undesirable.
  • In articles entirely on US-related topics, all occurrences of the US dollar may be shortened (Tɛmplet:Xt), unless this would be unclear.
  • For currencies that use a unit named the "pound":
    • Use the Tɛmplet:Xt symbol (Tɛmplet:Unichar) for unambiguous referrals to sterling, the United Kingdom's currency. Avoid the Tɛmplet:!xt.Tɛmplet:Efn
    • Tɛmplet:Xt, sterling's ISO 4217 code, should be used to disambiguate that currency from others. Avoid using Tɛmplet:Xt! or Tɛmplet:Xt!.Tɛmplet:Efn
    • For currencies other than sterling, use the symbol or abbreviation conventionally employed for that currency, if any.
• Link the first occurrence of lesser-known currency symbols (e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt)
• If there is no common English abbreviation or symbol, follow the ISO 4217 standard. Tɛmplet:Crossref

Tɛmplet:See also Tɛmplet:AnchorCurrency formatting

• A point (full stop or period, .)Tɛmplet:Sndnever a commaTɛmplet:Sndis used as the decimal marker (Tɛmplet:Xt, not Tɛmplet:!xt).
• For the grouping of digits (e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt) see Tɛmplet:Section link, above.
• Do not place a currency symbol Tɛmplet:Em the accompanying numeric figures (e.g. Tɛmplet:!xt, Tɛmplet:!xt, Tɛmplet:!xt) unless that is the normal convention for that symbol when writing in English: Tɛmplet:Xt.
• Currency abbreviations preceding a numeric value are Tɛmplet:Em if they consist of a nonalphabetic symbol alone (Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt), or end with a nonalphabetic symbol (Tɛmplet:Xt); but Tɛmplet:Em (using Tɛmplet:T) if completely alphabetic (Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt).
• Ranges should be expressed giving the currency signifier just once: Tɛmplet:Xt, not Tɛmplet:!xt.
• Tɛmplet:Xt and Tɛmplet:Xt should be spelled out on first use, and (optionally) abbreviated Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt (both unspaced) thereafter: Tɛmplet:Xt; Tɛmplet:Xt
• In general, a currency symbol should be accompanied by a numeric amount e.g. not Tɛmplet:!xt but Tɛmplet:Xt or Tɛmplet:Xt.
  • Exceptions may occur in tables and infoboxes where space is limited e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt. It may be appropriate to wikilink such uses, or add an explanatory note.

Currency conversionsTɛmplet:Anchor

• Conversions of Tɛmplet:Em may be provided in terms of more familiar currenciesTɛmplet:Sndsuch as the US dollar, euro or pound sterlingTɛmplet:Sndusing an appropriate rate (which is often Tɛmplet:Em the current exchange rate). Conversions should be in parentheses after the original currency, along with the convert-to year; e.g. Tɛmplet:Xt
• For Tɛmplet:Em, provide an equivalent (formatted as a conversion) if possible, in the modern replacement currency (e.g. euros for amounts denominated in francs), or a US-dollar equivalent where there is no modern equivalent.
• In some cases, it may be appropriate to provide a conversion accounting for inflation or deflation over time. Tɛmplet:Crossref
• When converting among currencies or inflating/deflating, it is rarely appropriate to give the converted amount to more than three significant figures; typically, only two significant figures are justified: Tɛmplet:Xt, not Tɛmplet:!xt

Common mathematical symbols

• The Insert menu below the editing window gives a more complete list of math symbols, and allows symbols to be inserted without the HTML encoding (e.g. ÷) shown here.
• Spaces are placed to left and right when a symbol is used Tɛmplet:Nobr (Tɛmplet:Xt), but no space is used when Tɛmplet:Nobr (Tɛmplet:Xt). Exception: spaces are usually omitted in inline fractions formed with /: Tɛmplet:Xt not Tɛmplet:!xt.
• The Tɛmplet:Tlx (for single-letter variables) and Tɛmplet:Tlx (for more complicated expressions) templates are available to display mathematical formulas in a manner distinct from surrounding text.
• The Tɛmplet:Tlx and Tɛmplet:Tlx templates may be used to prevent awkward linebreaks.

Common mathematical symbols

Symbol name	Example	Markup	Comments
Plus / positive	Tɛmplet:Math	{{math|''x'' + ''y''}}
	Tɛmplet:Math	{{math|+''y''}}
Minus / negative	Tɛmplet:Math	{{math|''x'' − ''y''}}	Do not use hyphens (Tɛmplet:!xt) or dashes (Tɛmplet:!xt Tɛmplet:Nobr
	Tɛmplet:Math	{{math|−''y''}}
Plus-minus / minus-plus	41.5 ± 0.3	41.5 ± 0.3
	Tɛmplet:Math	Tɛmplet:Nobr
Multiplication, dot	Tɛmplet:Math	{{math|''x'' ⋅ ''y''}}
Multiplication, cross	Tɛmplet:Math	{{math|''x'' × ''y''}}	Do not use the letter Tɛmplet:!xt to indicate multiplication. However, an Tɛmplet:Em Tɛmplet:Xt may be used as a substitute for "by" in common terms such as [[4x4|Tɛmplet:Xt]].
Division, obelus	Tɛmplet:Math	{{math|''x'' ÷ ''y''}}
Equal / equals	Tɛmplet:Math	{{math|1=''x'' = ''y''}} or {{math|''x'' {{=}} ''y''}}	Note the use of 1= or {{=}} to make the template parameters work correctly
Not equal	Tɛmplet:Math	{{math|''x'' ≠ ''y''}}
Approx. equal	Tɛmplet:Math	{{math|''π'' ≈ 3.14}}
Less than	Tɛmplet:Math	{{math|''x'' < ''y''}}
Less or equal	Tɛmplet:Math	{{math|''x'' ≤ ''y''}}
Greater than	Tɛmplet:Math	{{math|''x'' > ''y''}}
Greater or equal	Tɛmplet:Math	{{math|''x'' ≥ ''y''}}

Geographical coordinates

Tɛmplet:Shortcut

Tɛmplet:Crossref

Quick guide:

Tɛmplet:Coord how-to Geographical coordinates on Earth should be entered using a template to standardise the format and to provide a link to maps of the coordinates. As long as the templates are adhered to, a robot performs the functions automatically.

First, obtain the coordinates. Avoid excessive precision.

The Tɛmplet:Tlx template offers users a choice of display format through user styles, emits a Geo microformat, and is recognised (in the Tɛmplet:Em position) by the "nearby" feature of Wikipedia's mobile apps and by external service providers such as Google Maps and Google Earth, and Yahoo. Infoboxes automatically emit Tɛmplet:Tlx.

The following formats are available.

• For degrees only (including decimal values): Tɛmplet:Tlc
• For degrees/minutes: Tɛmplet:Tlc
• For degrees/minutes/seconds: Tɛmplet:Tlc

where:

• Tɛmplet:Var, Tɛmplet:Var, Tɛmplet:Var are the degrees, minutes and seconds, respectively;
• Tɛmplet:Var is either N for northern or S for southern latitudes;
• Tɛmplet:Var is either E for eastern or W for western longitudes;
• negative values may be used in lieu of S and W to denote Southern and Western Hemispheres

For example:

For the city of Oslo, located at 59° 54′ 50″ N, 10° 45′ 8″ E:

{{coord|59|54|50|N|10|45|08|E}}Tɛmplet:Sndwhich becomes Tɛmplet:Coord

For a country, like Botswana, with no source on an exact geographic center, less precision is appropriate due to uncertainty:

{{coord|22|S|24|E}}Tɛmplet:Sndwhich becomes Tɛmplet:Coord

Higher levels of precision are obtained by using seconds:

{{coord|33|56|24|N|118|24|00|W}}Tɛmplet:Sndwhich becomes Tɛmplet:Coord

Coordinates can be entered as decimal values:

{{coord|33.94|S|118.40|W}}Tɛmplet:Sndwhich becomes Tɛmplet:Coord

Increasing or decreasing the number of decimal places controls the precision. Trailing zeros may be added as needed to give both values the same appearance.

Heathrow Airport, Amsterdam, Jan Mayen and Mount Baker are examples of articles that contain geographical coordinates.

Generally, the larger the object being mapped, the Tɛmplet:Em the coordinates should be. For example, if just giving the location of a city, precision greater than degrees (°), minutes (′), seconds (″) is not needed, which suffice to locate, for example, the central administrative building. Specific buildings or other objects of similar size would justify precisions down to 10Tɛmplet:Nbspmeters or even one meter in some cases (1″ ~15Tɛmplet:Nbspm to 30Tɛmplet:Nbspm, 0.0001° ~5.6Tɛmplet:Nbspm to 10Tɛmplet:Nbspm).

The final field, following the E/W, is available for attributes such as type:, region:, or scale: Tɛmplet:Crossref.

When adding coordinates, please remove the Tɛmplet:Tlx tag from the article, if present (often at the top or bottom).

Templates other than Tɛmplet:Tlx should use the following variable names for coordinates: Tɛmplet:Var, Tɛmplet:Var, Tɛmplet:Var, Tɛmplet:Var, Tɛmplet:Var, Tɛmplet:Var, Tɛmplet:Var, Tɛmplet:Var.

See also

• Wikipedia:Date formattings
• m:Help:Date formatting feature at Meta
• Tɛmplet:Section link at Meta