Help:Convert messages

This page describes the error and warning messages reported by Module:Convert if a problem is detected while using {{convert}} to convert a value from one unit of measurement to another.

• en:Help:Convert ∙ Overview.
• en:Help:Convert units ∙ Simplified list of some commonly used units.
• en:Module:Convert/documentation/conversion data/doc ∙ Full list of units.

Asking questions

If a problem cannot readily be resolved, please report it at one of the following.

• Template talk:Convert ∙ Questions on using the convert template, or discussion of any problems encountered.
• en:Module talk:Convert ∙ Discussion concerning the convert modules.

Error and warning messages

Needs a number

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• {{convert|123|m|ft}} → 123 metres (404 ft)
• {{convert||m|ft}} → %s

An input number is required. In the first example above, the input number is 123.

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Needs another number

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• {{convert|10|x|20|m|ft}} → 10 by 20 metres (33 × 66 ft)
• {{convert|10|x| |m|ft}} → %s
• {{convert|10|x|20|x| |m|ft}} → %s

The first input number was specified, but the range used requires another number.

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Invalid number

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• {{convert|1|km|ft}} → 1 kilometre (3,300 ft)
• {{convert|km|ft}} → %s

A number to be converted can be entered as in these examples: 1.23 or 1,234 or -0.9.

Fractions are entered as in these examples: 1+2/3 (1 ²⁄₃) or -1-2/3 (−1 ²⁄₃) or 2/3 (²⁄₃).

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Number overflow

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• {{convert|1e290|m|ft}} → 1×10²⁹⁰ metres (3.3×10²⁹⁰ ft)
• {{convert|1e310|m|ft}} → %s

This error occurs if a number exceeds the range of values available for calculations. The number 1e290 means 1×10²⁹⁰.

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Invalid precision

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• {{convert|21455|acre|ha|2}} → 21,455 acres (8,682.53 ha)
• {{convert|21455|acre|ha|-2}} → 21,455 acres (8,700 ha)
• {{convert|21455|acre|ha|2.5}} → 21,455 acres (8,683 ha)convert: bug

A precision value is entered after the conversion information. For example, |2 gives a result that is rounded to two decimal places, while |-2 rounds to the nearest 100 so that two zeroes occur at the end of the number. This message will only appear if warnings have been enabled.

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Precision too large

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• {{convert|123|m|ft|2}} → 123 metres (403.54 ft)
• {{convert|123|m|ft|200}} → %s

Generally there is no reason to use a precision of more than a few decimal places, however, larger values may be used. The error shown occurs if the requested precision is higher than the maximum supported by the server.

A negative precision rounds to the nearest 10 (parameter |-1), or nearest 100 (|-2), or nearest 1000 (|-3), etc. A large negative precision produces a zero output.

• {{convert|123|m|ft|-2}} → 123 metres (400 ft)
• {{convert|123|m|ft|-200}} → 123 metres (0 ft)

Using a very small input value can cause the default precision to exceed the limit (1.234e-200 is 1.234×10⁻²⁰⁰). For such very small values, it is better to use the |sigfig= option.

• {{convert|1.234|m|ft}} → 1.234 metres (4.05 ft)
• {{convert|1.234e-200|m|ft}} → %s
• {{convert|1.234e-200|m|ft|sigfig=3}} →

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Invalid sigfig

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• {{convert|123|m|ft|sigfig=3}} →
• {{convert|123|m|ft|sigfig=0}} →
• {{convert|123|m|ft|sigfig=3.5}} →

The number of significant figures in the result can be specified. For example, |sigfig=3 requests three significant figures. The number of significant figures must be a whole number with value 1 or more. This message will only appear if warnings have been enabled.

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Empty option

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• {{convert|123|m|ft|sp=us}} → 123 meters (404 ft)
• {{convert|123|m|ft|sp=}} → 123 metres (404 ft)

The option |sp=us specifies that US spelling should be used ("meters" instead of "metres"). However, |sp= is ignored as no value is specified. This message will only appear if warnings have been enabled.

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Invalid option

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• {{convert|123|m|ft|abbr=off}} → 123 metres (404 feet)
• {{convert|123|m|ft|abr=off}} → 123 metres (404 ft)convert: bug

The option |abbr=off specifies that abbreviations are off, that is, unit names will be used instead of symbols. By contrast, |abr=off is ignored because "abr" is not the name of an option. This message will only appear if warnings have been enabled.

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Needs unit name

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• {{convert|12|ft}} → 12 feet (3.7 m)
• {{convert|12}} → 12%s
• {{convert|12||ft}} → 12%s
• {{convert|12|x|20|ft}} → 12 by 20 feet (3.7 × 6.1 m)
• {{convert|12|x|20}} → 12 by 20%s

A unit code must be specified following the input number or numbers.

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Unknown unit

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• {{convert|12|ft|mi}} → 12 feet (0.0023 mi)
• {{convert|12|Ft|mi}} → 12 Ft%s
• {{convert|12|ft|m i}} → 12 feet (%s)

Each unit code must exactly match a known unit, case sensitive. A simplified list of unit codes is at en:Help:Convert units, and all available unit codes are here.

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Unit mismatch

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• {{convert|123|psi|Pa}} → 123 pounds per square inch (850,000 Pa)
• {{convert|123|psi|ha}} → 123 pounds per square inch (%s)

It is only possible to convert between units that have the same type. For example, psi and Pa are each of type "pressure" so a psi value can be converted to Pa. However, a psi value cannot be converted to a unit of a different type, such as ha (hectare) which has type "area".

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Ambiguous unit

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• {{convert|21|mpgus|L/km}} → 21 miles per US gallon (0.11 L/km)
• {{convert|21|mpg|L/km}} → 21 mpg%s
• {{convert|21|USpt|L}} → 21 US pints (9.9 L)
• {{convert|21|pt|L}} → 21 pt%s

Some unit codes are not supported; using them results in an message indicating that a different unit code should be chosen.

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Unit invalid here

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• {{convert|123|K|C F}} → 123 K (−150 °C; −238 °F)
• {{convert|123|C F|K}} → 123 C F%s
• {{convert|12345|ft|mi km}} → 12,345 feet (2.3381 mi; 3.763 km)
• {{convert|12345|ft|yd+mi+km}} → 12,345 feet (4,115 yd; 2.3381 mi; 3.763 km)
• {{convert|12345|ft|yd+mi km}} → 12,345 feet (%s)

Some units can only be used as outputs. For example "C F" displays a temperature in Celsius and Fahrenheit. Such a unit cannot be used with an input value, because, for example, there is no such temperature as "123 C F". Some output combinations are predefined—"C F" is one example, and "mi km" (miles and kilometres) is another. It is also possible to construct an output combination by joining unit codes with "+". However, individual units have to be specified, and an output combination cannot be used.

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