IS 1956 : 2001

Indian Standard Code for Letter Symbols for Quantities and Units

ISO 80000-1
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Summary

IS 1956 standardizes quantity symbols and SI units for use in Indian Standards and engineering documents. Ensures consistent use of m (metre), kg (kilogram), N (newton), Pa (pascal), etc. across all IS codes and engineering practice in India.

Standard symbols and abbreviations for physical quantities and units used in Indian Standards and engineering documents.

Key Values
Lengthm (metre)
Masskg (kilogram)
ForceN (newton)
Practical Notes
! India officially uses SI units per IS 1956. Some IS codes still have legacy units (kgf/cm²) in older editions.
! 1 MPa = 1 N/mm² = 10.2 kgf/cm² — conversion needed when reading older IS codes.
! kgf (kilogram-force) is NOT the same as kg (kilogram mass). Many Indian engineers still confuse them.
SI unitssymbolsabbreviationsunitsmetrekilogramnewton