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SI — SYSTÈME INTERNATIONAL D'UNITÉS

The Metric System

The international standard for measurement used by scientists, engineers, and everyday people worldwide. A coherent system of units based on 7 defining constants.

7
Base Units
22
Derived Units
20+
SI Prefixes
195
Countries Using

What is the SI System?

Introduction

  • • The International System of Units (SI) is the modern form of the metric system.
  • • Adopted in 1960 at the 11th General Conference on Weights and Measures.
  • • Built upon 7 base units from which all other units are derived.
  • • The only system of measurement used by almost every country.

Key Advantages

  • • Decimal-based: Easy conversions by powers of 10.
  • • Coherent: No conversion factors between units of same quantity.
  • • Universal: Used in science, industry, and commerce globally.
  • • Precise: Defined by unchanging physical constants.

The 7 Base Units