Template talk:Convert

Frequently asked questions

Q: When using {{convert}} why does the answer sometimes seem a bit off?

A: This template takes into account the precision of the supplied value and generally rounds the output to the same level of precision. If you need to change from the default output precision, see rounding.

Note: This can cause whole numbers that end in one or more zeroes to be converted less accurately than expected.

Q: What are all the possible units (kg, lb, m, cm, ft, in, °C, °F, km, mi, nmi, mph, km/h, and so on)?

A: See Help:Convert units for an introduction and Module:Convert/documentation/conversion data for the complete list.

Q: I've been using Convert for some time and am pretty comfortable with its basic features. Does it have other features which it would be worth my while to learn about?

A: Almost certainly. Start with Help:Convert.

For more, see the FAQ.

Template:Convert is permanently protected from editing because it is a heavily used or highly visible template. Substantial changes should first be proposed and discussed here on this page. If the proposal is uncontroversial or has been discussed and is supported by consensus, editors may use {{edit template-protected}} to notify an administrator or template editor to make the requested edit. Usually, any contributor may edit the template's documentation to add usage notes or categories.

Any contributor may edit the template's sandbox. Functionality of the template can be checked using test cases.

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Template:Convert

... in conception

... and in reality

Indian numbering system: lakhs and crores

Moved from Module talk:Convert. Johnuniq (talk) 01:45, 19 November 2024 (UTC)[reply]

I request that we enhance the module to include lakhs and crores.

The Indian numbering system is the main nomenclature used in South Asia to name large numbers. From the lead:

The terms lakh or 1,00,000 (one hundred thousand, written as 100,000 in Pakistan, and outside the Indian subcontinent) and crore or 1,00,00,000 (ten million, written as 10,000,000 outside the subcontinent) are the most commonly used terms in Indian English to express large numbers in the system.

This is a dimensionless unit, or if you wish, the units are integers. (Hence if implemented, the data item in 'all_units' at Module:Convert/data could be named ["ins"] for 'Indian numbering system'). Note also the main pattern of comma-separation into groups of two and three digits, not just three.

These terms should be converted to standard English terms, mostly with the term million, except for values up to 9 lakh, which could be 900,000. Sample usage in articles:

lakh – 6,914 articles
crore – 10,809 articles

The plural sometimes has the -s, and sometimes doesn't; so both '2 lakhs' and '2 lahk' are seen; same for crore(s).

This arose at the Rfc at Wikipedia talk:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers, where in my !vote (diff) I called for using template {{Convert}}, only to realize after the fact that the template will not handle it. This conversion is badly needed, as it will resolve a sore point about usage of lakhs and crores in many articles. Thanks, Mathglot (talk) 23:46, 18 November 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Earlier discussions.

I have not yet examined the RfC at WT:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers#RfC Indian numbering conventions. The above discussions point out that lakh and crore are not units. They are like million which is also not a unit. However, if convert could do something useful that is not provided by {{lakh}} and {{crore}}, it could be investigated. Johnuniq (talk) 02:03, 19 November 2024 (UTC)[reply]

The {{lakh}} and {{crore}} templates make more sense than overloading {{convert}}. Stepho talk 23:07, 19 November 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Nautical miles to Kilometers

It is NOT accurate! 8000 nmi = 14,816 km not 15000. Check google & ref64 Bombardier Global 7500. The correct multiplier is 1.852 not 1.875 see ref 1 Nautical mile & for at least half a century (ref 5). Dave-okanagan (talk) 04:18, 17 December 2024 (UTC)[reply]

The template sees 3 zeroes at the end and assumes that is the amount of rounding desired. Ie 8000 nmi +/- 500 nmi. It is not assuming 8000 nmi +/- 0.5 nmi. Therefore it rounds the output to a similar amount.

However, you can control the rounding. Eg:

{{cvt|8000|nmi|km|0}} gives 8,000 nmi (14,816 km) (probably not appropriate if the 8000 is a round number)
{{cvt|8000|nmi|km|-1}} gives 8,000 nmi (14,820 km)
{{cvt|8000|nmi|km|-2}} gives 8,000 nmi (14,800 km)
{{cvt|8000|nmi|km|-3}} gives 8,000 nmi (15,000 km) (probably the most appropriate if the 8000 is a round number)

Choose whichever suits the situation best. Be careful of false precision. Stepho talk 04:56, 17 December 2024 (UTC)[reply]

@Dave-okanagan: this is discussed in the first FAQ at the top of the page as well. Imzadi 1979 → 05:41, 17 December 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Suffix parameters for first and second numbers

Can we please get suf1 and suff2 parameters added to this template, like done at Template:Change, so that we can add references or notes to the first and second numbers in the template, respectively? Cheers, Hwy43 (talk) 20:10, 26 December 2024 (UTC)[reply]

The purpose of convert is to take a single number and convert it into the equivalent in different units of measurement. All numbers displayed come from that single input. So why would we need a second reference?

Likewise, why would we have different notes for each unit of measurement? Surely a single reference and/or note cover all the units used. Can you give an example? Stepho talk 23:42, 26 December 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Good point re: single input. Rather, a suffix parameter is desired just for after the first number because it is the one that can be sourced, whereas the second is a product of the template. Same with notes being based on the first number. See the Flin Flon and Lloydminster rows at List of cities in Saskatchewan#List. In those two cases, I want the notes to be displayed after the first number, not after the second (conversion) number as currently shown. Cheers, Hwy43 (talk) 00:29, 27 December 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Fair enough, this only applies to tables. The |pre= option (with the ref as the next field) can be twisted into doing what you want. {{convert|2.01|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on|adj=pre|<ref group=SK>col1 note</ref>}} gives:

Column1 km²	Column2 miles²
2.01	0.78^{[SK 1]}
2.01 ^{[SK 2]}	0.78

Notes:

^ old style note
^ col1 note

How is that? Stepho talk 02:35, 27 December 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Don't sweat, convert is magic. Sorry, but no reference on the output which really should not need one.

{{convert|12.3<ref>A wise old man.</ref>|kg}} → 12.3^[1] kilograms (27 lb)

References

^ A wise old man.

Many thanks both of you. Both work well. Cheers, Hwy43 (talk) 03:11, 27 December 2024 (UTC)[reply]

[1] style note

[2] 1 note

[3] A wise old man.

[SK 1]

[SK 2]

[1]