Capitalizing metric units of measure
Abbreviated forms of units of measure are not capitalized unless the capital letter is part of the accepted abbreviated form.
The scar measured 3 cm in length.
NOT
The scar measured 3 CM in length.
BUT
The remaining fluid measured 1 dL.
BUT NOT
The remaining fluid measured 1 DL.
When the unit of measure does not accompany a numeral or is spelled out for some other reason, rules of capitalization otherwise apply. Plural forms are used when the words are spelled out.
The two measurements varied by millimeters.
The milliequivalent measurement was inconsequential.
Milliseconds were recorded for the sampling.
