ISO 80000: Quantities and Units Reference for Precision Engineering

ISO 80000 translates the core physics behind measurements into practical language for engineers, product teams, and auditors. It specifies names, symbols, and unit relationships so every calculation respects the same quantitative logic.

Use this guide alongside our primer on the International System of Units (SI) and the "What is a unit of measurement?" overview to connect theory with day-to-day conversions. Dive deeper into the foundational vocabulary with the ISO 80000-1 general principles guide and consult the ISO 80000-2 mathematical symbols explainer before mapping specialised quantities. For a deep dive into spatial and temporal conventions, study the ISO 80000-3 space and time guide so you can translate motion and geometry datasets with confidence. For load paths, torque plans, and power balances, continue with the ISO 80000-4 mechanics reference to keep force-centric calculations consistent. When you need quick checks, launch tools like the kWh to MJ converter or the inches to centimeters converter to confirm factor-label manipulations.

Want a table-first reference? Open the ISO 80000 part-by-part quick tables to scan recommended symbols, coherent units and related calculators for each discipline.

Key volumes and what they cover

ISO 80000 is organised into themed volumes that translate SI definitions into context-specific guidance. Pick the chapters relevant to your domain, but keep an eye on Volume 1 because it outlines typography and rounding rules that apply everywhere.

  • Volume 1: General principles

    Defines base quantities, coherent derived units, rounding rules, and typography conventions that connect ISO 80000 with the International System of Units (SI).

  • Volume 4: Mechanics

    Standardises force, torque, momentum, and power so structural loads, rotating machinery, and energy transfers share the same SI references.

    Read the ISO 80000-4 mechanics guide

  • Volume 3: Space and time

    Extends the base quantities into geometry, rotation, and motion so kinematic analyses feed cleanly into mechanical and thermal models.

    Study the ISO 80000-3 space and time guide

  • Volume 5: Thermodynamics

    Captures absolute temperature, heat, entropy, and property coefficients that keep energy balances consistent across laboratories and plants.

    Read the ISO 80000-5 thermodynamics guide

  • Volume 6: Electromagnetism

    Treats electric and magnetic field quantities so instrumentation, power, and communications teams speak the same language.

    Read the ISO 80000-6 electromagnetism guide

  • Volume 7: Light and radiation

    Standardises photometric and radiometric quantities—lumen, lux, candela, and watt—so lighting, imaging, and sensor teams align with SI foundations.

    Study the ISO 80000-7 light and radiation guide

  • Volumes 8-13: Applied sciences

    Treats acoustics, physical chemistry, molecular and nuclear physics, health sciences and information technology. Each module lists accepted units, conversion notes, and contextual quantities. Start with the physical chemistry walkthrough to harmonise molar, concentration and catalytic activity data before branching into more specialised parts, and explore the information science chapter to align data rates and binary prefixes across digital teams.

    Read the ISO 80000-9 physical chemistry guide

  • Volume 13: Information science and technology

    Codifies bits, logarithmic information units, binary prefixes, symbol rates and service quality metrics so software, networking and analytics documentation share a coherent vocabulary.

    Dive into the ISO 80000-13 information science guide

  • Volume 11: Characteristic numbers

    Explains the dimensionless ratios that compare inertia, diffusion, buoyancy and reaction rates so scale models and simulations preserve dominant physics.

    Explore the ISO 80000-11 characteristic numbers guide

Why ISO 80000 matters

Traceable specifications

Suppliers and manufacturing partners can interpret drawings, bills of materials, and calibration records without rework because symbols and prefixes share a universal reference.

Reliable digital twins

Simulation and analytics models ingest consistent quantities, reducing the risk of silent conversion errors across ERP, PLM, and IoT platforms.

ISO 80000 also provides the scaffold for sector regulations, from pharmaceutical dosage control to energy reporting schemes. Pair it with calculators such as the horsepower to watts converter when you need to demonstrate compliance with load or efficiency benchmarks.

Adoption playbook

You can roll ISO 80000 into existing quality programmes by combining technical reviews with training moments. The steps below help teams absorb the terminology.

  1. Map your measurement landscape

    Catalogue the physical quantities your teams handle—from torque and viscosity to photon flux. Note which calculators and spreadsheets already reference SI units.

  2. Align naming and symbols

    Update templates, CAD libraries, and procurement specifications to use ISO 80000 symbols, prefixes, and typography. Cross-check legacy abbreviations against the standard's tables.

  3. Automate validation

    Embed unit checks into engineering and finance workflows. Reference conversion tools like the kWh to MJ or torque Nm to ft-lb converters to verify inputs before approval.

Include periodic spot checks: pick a drawing, a test report, and a dashboard to confirm they cite the correct symbols and units. Close any gaps by linking to the SI guide and sharing worked examples from your conversion tools.

Put the rules into practice

Keep ISO 80000 close when you publish technical documentation or audit supplier submissions. These calculators help teams double-check figures before they propagate through planning systems.

For broader digital transformation inspiration, continue with our newsroom or benchmark asset efficiency via the inventory turnover ratio calculator.