METHODOLOGY/ FORMULA
Unit Converter Methodology
Normalized base model
Every unit has a conversion factor to a normalized base unit. Conversions pass through the base:
result = value × toBase(from) / toBase(to)
Example
180 cm to feet: toBase(cm) = 0.01, toBase(ft) = 0.3048. Result = 180 × 0.01 / 0.3048 = 5.91 ft.
Temperature — non-linear
Temperature uses offsets, not just ratios, so it has dedicated formulas:
- C = (F - 32) × 5/9
- F = C × 9/5 + 32
- K = C + 273.15
Exact factors
Conversion factors are exact by international agreement (e.g., 1 inch = 0.0254 meters exactly).