How to use our Unit Converters (and get reliable results)
VerCalc provides dedicated converters for each measurement type (length, mass, temperature, speed, pressure, and more). Choose the right category, select your units, enter a value, and copy the result. For critical work, also consider precision, unit definitions (US vs UK), and rounding.
What you can convert (and when it matters)
Each converter focuses on a single dimension (e.g., length or pressure) and supports conversions between common unit systems (Metric/SI, Imperial, US Customary) plus specialized technical units where relevant. Start with the converter that matches your measurement type:
- Length Converter — convert distances: meters ↔ feet, kilometers ↔ miles, inches ↔ centimeters.
- Weight Converter — convert mass/weight: kilograms ↔ pounds, grams ↔ ounces, and more.
- Volume Converter — convert capacity: liters ↔ gallons, milliliters ↔ fluid ounces, cubic meters ↔ cubic feet.
- Temperature Converter — convert temperature: Celsius ↔ Fahrenheit, Kelvin ↔ Rankine.
- Area Converter — convert surface area: square meters ↔ acres, hectares ↔ square feet.
- Time Converter — convert time intervals: seconds ↔ minutes, hours ↔ days, weeks ↔ months.
- Speed Converter — convert velocity: m/s ↔ km/h, mph ↔ knots, Mach number.
- Energy Converter — convert energy: Joules ↔ calories, kWh ↔ BTU, ergs.
- Power Converter — convert power: Watts ↔ Kilowatts, Horsepower ↔ PS (metric horsepower).
- Pressure Converter — convert pressure: PSI ↔ Bar, Pascal ↔ ATM, Torr ↔ mmHg.
- Data Storage Converter — convert digital storage: Bytes ↔ KB, MB ↔ GB, TB ↔ PB.
- Angle Converter — convert angles: degrees ↔ radians, gradians, arc minutes ↔ arc seconds.
- Frequency Converter — convert frequency: Hertz ↔ kHz, MHz ↔ GHz, RPM.
- Force Converter — convert force: Newtons ↔ Pound-force, Kilogram-force, dynes.
- Torque Converter — convert torque: Newton-meters ↔ Foot-pounds, Inch-pounds.
- Density Converter — convert density: kg/m³ ↔ g/cm³, lb/ft³, specific gravity.
- Flow Rate Converter — convert flow: L/s ↔ GPM, CFM ↔ m³/h, cubic feet per second.
- Fuel Economy Converter — convert fuel efficiency: MPG ↔ L/100km, km/L, miles per gallon (US/UK).
Accuracy, rounding, and unit definitions (the details that cause mistakes)
These converters use standard conversion factors and are accurate for most practical purposes. To avoid common pitfalls:
- Round intentionally — use fewer decimals for everyday use, and more for engineering or lab work.
- Know the variant — US vs UK gallons differ; “tons” can mean metric/short/long ton; “KB” can mean 1,000 or 1,024 bytes.
- Prefer SI (when possible) — converting via SI base units reduces ambiguity and improves comparability.
- Verify for regulated use — for compliance, contracts, or safety-critical specs, validate against authoritative standards.
Common conversion scenarios (examples)
You’ll typically use a unit converter in one of these situations:
- Cooking & Recipes — convert between metric (grams, liters) and US/Imperial (ounces, cups, tablespoons).
- Travel & Navigation — convert distances (miles ↔ kilometers) and speeds (mph ↔ km/h).
- Engineering & Construction — convert measurements for blueprints, materials, and specifications.
- Science & Education — convert between SI units and other scientific unit systems.
- Fitness & Health — convert body measurements, distances, and speeds for training.
- Automotive — convert fuel economy (MPG ↔ L/100km), engine power (HP ↔ kW), and torque.
Tip: if your goal is a specific conversion (e.g., “mph to km/h”), go directly to the dedicated page for that category for the most relevant examples and FAQs.
Reference standards (for deeper reading)
If you need formal definitions of SI units or binary prefixes, these references are a good starting point:
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q:Are these conversions accurate?
Yes. VerCalc uses standard, internationally recognized conversion factors. For most everyday and engineering use cases, the results are reliable. For regulated, legal, or safety‑critical work, validate against official standards and specifications.
Q:What's the difference between US Customary and Imperial units?
They overlap but aren’t identical. For example, a US gallon is smaller than a UK (Imperial) gallon, and “ton” may refer to a short ton, long ton, or metric ton depending on context. Always confirm the exact unit variant when comparing specs.
Q:How do I convert between temperature scales?
Use the Temperature Converter. Key formulas: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32, °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9, K = °C + 273.15. The converter handles the formulas automatically and helps avoid common rounding mistakes.
Q:Can I convert between different unit systems in one step?
Yes, each converter allows you to select any 'from' unit and any 'to' unit, so you can convert directly between any two units in that category, regardless of the unit system.
Q:What precision should I use?
For everyday use, 2–4 decimals are typically enough. For engineering/science, use more precision and round only at the end of a calculation chain. If you’re matching a specification sheet, follow the precision used in that document.
Q:Do you support binary vs decimal data storage units?
Our Data Storage Converter handles both binary (base-1024: KiB, MiB, GiB) and decimal (base-1000: KB, MB, GB) systems, which is important because storage manufacturers and operating systems use different conventions.