

Metric prefixes have also been used with some non-metric units. The prefix milli-, likewise, may be added to metre to indicate division by one thousand one millimetre is equal to one thousandth of a metre.ĭecimal multiplicative prefixes have been a feature of all forms of the metric system, with six of these dating back to the system's introduction in the 1790s. The prefix kilo-, for example, may be added to gram to indicate multiplication by one thousand: one kilogram is equal to one thousand grams. Each prefix has a unique symbol that is prepended to any unit symbol.

All metric prefixes used today are decadic. For use of measurement as a form of social power, see metric power.Ī metric prefix is a unit prefix that precedes a basic unit of measure to indicate a multiple or submultiple of the unit.
