Skip to content
kilogram

File:Poids_fonte_5_kg_à_2_hg_02.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

EntityQ11570· pop 161· linked from 2,561 articles

Also known as kg, kilogramme, kilo, kilograms

The kilogram (also spelled kilogramme) is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI), equal to one thousand grams. It has the unit symbol kg. The word "kilogram" is formed from the combination of the metric prefix kilo- (meaning one thousand) and gram; it is commonly shortened to "kilo" (plural "kilos").

AI overview

The kilogram is the standard unit of mass used worldwide, equal to one thousand grams and symbolized as "kg." It matters because it's the fundamental measurement that scientists, engineers, and everyday people rely on to weigh and compare the mass of objects accurately across different countries and contexts.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Key facts

Unit.name
kilogram
Unit.image
Poids fonte 5 kg à 2 hg 02.jpg
Unit.caption
A series of 5, 2, 1, 0.5 and 0.2 kilogram weights, made of cast iron
Unit.standard
SI
Unit.quantity
mass
Unit.symbol
kg
Unit.units1
Avoirdupois
Unit.units2
British Gravitational
Unit.inunits2
≈ slugs
Unit.units3
Unified atomic mass units

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Image
CGKilogram.jpg
Show 8 more facts
unit symbol
kg
short name
kg
conversion to SI unit
1
Commons category
Kilogram
Unicode character
Wikidata SPARQL query equivalent
wd:Q11570 p:P2370/psn:P2370 [wikibase:quantityAmount ?source; wikibase:quantityUnit ?base]. ?item p:P2370/psn:P2370 [wikibase:quantityAmount ?target; wikibase:quantityUnit ?base]. BIND(?source / ?target as ?value)
conversion to standard unit
1000
Sources (4)

via Wikidata · CC0

~12 min read

Article

11 sections
Contents
  • Definition
  • Timeline of previous definitions
  • Name and terminology
  • Redefinition based on fundamental constants
  • SI multiples
  • Usage and practical issues with SI mass units
  • See also
  • Notes
  • References
  • External links
  • Videos

The kilogram (also spelled kilogramme) is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI), equal to one thousand grams. It has the unit symbol kg. The word "kilogram" is formed from the combination of the metric prefix kilo- (meaning one thousand) and gram; it is commonly shortened to "kilo" (plural "kilos").

The kilogram is an SI base unit, defined ultimately in terms of three defining constants of the SI, namely a specific transition frequency of the caesium-133 atom, the speed of light, and the Planck constant. A properly equipped metrology laboratory can calibrate a mass measurement instrument such as a Kibble balance as a primary standard for the kilogram mass.

Gallery (10)

Connections

Categories