units

units converts quantities from one unit to another unit. It can be used interactively or non-interactively.

To use interactively, type units into the command prompt:

$ units

To use non-interactively:

$ units [options] ['from-unit' 'to-unit']

Useful Options / Examples

To view available units, look in /usr/share/units/definitions.units

Using units Interactively

Typing units into the terminal brings up an interactive prompt. The interactive prompt will ask for the unit that you have. Then, it will ask for the unit that you want. In the output, the line with the * gives the result. The line with the / gives the inverse of the conversion factor. In the example below, 10 meters is 32.808399 feet, and 1 foot is 0.03048 decameters.

$ units
You have: 10 meters
You want: feet
  * 32.808399
  / 0.03048

Using units Non-Interactively

Make conversions using one line.

$ units '10 meters' 'feet'
   * 32.808399
   / 0.03048

Useful flags:

units --digits <integer>

The --digits flag specifies the output to a certain number of digits specified by the options.

Example:

$ units --digits 3 '10 meters' 'feet'
   * 32.8
   / 0.305

units --verbose

The --verbose flag shows slightly more verbose output.

Example:

$ units --verbose '10 meters' 'feet'
   10 meters = 32.808399 feet
   10 meters = (1 / 0.03048) feet

Converting Temperatures

There is a special syntax for temperatures. Specifically, Fahrenheit can be indicated by tempF and Celcius can be indicated by tempC. To assign a value to either of these units, use a number enclosed in parentheses after the unit. tempF(32) means 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Example:

$ units 'tempF(32)' 'tempC'
   0