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Convert Length from Millimeter to Mil (mm to mil)

Single conversion

Millimeter to Mil Conversion Formula

To convert from Millimeter (mm) to Mil (mil), use the following formula:

 Mil (mil)\textbf{ Mil} \text{ (mil)}

=11000×3.28084×12000× Millimeter (mm)= \frac{1}{1000} \times 3.28084 \times 12000\times \textbf{ Millimeter} \text{ (mm)}

=39.37008× Millimeter (mm)= 39.37008\times \textbf{ Millimeter} \text{ (mm)}

With 3.280843.28084 is the ratio between the base units Foot (ft) and Meter (m).

Example

Let's convert 5 Millimeter (mm) to Mil (mil).

Using the formula:

5×39.37008=196.85045 \times 39.37008 = 196.8504

Therefore, 5 Millimeter (mm) is equal to 196.8504196.8504 Mil (mil).

What is a Millimeter (mm)?

A millimeter (mm) is a small unit of length in the metric system, equal to one-thousandth of a meter (1/1000 m or 0.001 m).

The word itself comes from the Latin "mille," meaning "thousand."

This is why the prefix "milli" in the metric system always means one-thousandth of a base unit—just like a milligram is one-thousandth of a gram.

The plural form is millimeters.

How Many Millimeters are in an Inch?

Understanding the relationship between millimeters and inches is crucial, particularly for projects that utilize both metric and imperial systems.

The official mm-to-inch conversion is a precise measurement used worldwide in engineering and manufacturing.

  • Exact Conversion: 1 inch is equal to exactly 25.4 millimeters.
  • Quick Reference: For a simple real-world comparison, 1 millimeter is about the thickness of a credit card.

Where are Millimeters Used Every Day?

The millimeter is the standard unit for measuring small distances with precision.

You likely encounter millimeter measurements more often than you think in daily life, science, and technology.

  • Weather: Meteorologists measure daily rainfall in millimeters.
  • Stationery: The lead in a mechanical pencil is measured by its diameter in millimeters (e.g., 0.5 mm or 0.7 mm).
  • Electronics: Small components on circuit boards and common connectors, like the 3.5 mm headphone jack, are measured in millimeters.

What is a Mil?

A mil is a tiny unit of length in the imperial system of measurement.

Its most crucial definition is simple: one mil is equal to one-thousandth of an inch (1/1000 or 0.001 inches).

The plural form of the unit is mils.

Where Does the Name 'Mil' Come From?

The name "mil" comes from the Latin word millesimum, which means "thousandth"—a perfect fit for a unit that represents 1/1000th of an inch.

In engineering and manufacturing, especially in the UK, you might also hear a mil referred to as a thou. This nickname helps prevent confusion with metric units, such as the millimeter.

What is a Mil Used For?

The mil measurement is essential in industries where precision is key, even over minimal distances.

To give you some perspective, a human hair is about 2 to 4 mils thick.

This unit is commonly used to specify the thickness or diameter of:

  • Thin materials like plastic bags and foils
  • Coatings, such as layers of paint or plating
  • Paper and cardstock
  • Wires and electrical conductors
  • Manufacturing tolerances for electronic parts, like printed circuit boards (PCBs)

Mil vs. MM: What's the Difference?

It's crucial not to confuse the imperial mil with the metric millimeter (mm). A millimeter is a much larger unit of measurement.

Here's a simple breakdown of the mil vs. mm conversion:

  • 1 mil = 0.0254 mm
  • 1 mm = 39.37 mils

As you can see, one millimeter is nearly 40 times larger than one mil.

It is crucial to specify the units used in technical specifications to avoid significant mistakes.

What is the metric system?

The metric system is a decimal-based system of measurement used by nearly every country in the world. Its key feature is the use of prefixes to denote multiples and submultiples of the base units by powers of ten.

What is the imperial system?

The imperial system is a system of measurement that was first defined in the British Weights and Measures Act of 1824. It's known for using units like inches, feet, pounds, and gallons. While most of the world now uses the metric system, the imperial system remains the official system of measurement in the United States and is still used in specific contexts in other countries, such as the United Kingdom and Canada.

Millimeter to Mil Conversion Table

Here are some quick reference conversions from Millimeter (mm) to Mil (mil):

MillimetersMils
0.000001 mm0.000039370080.00003937008 mil
0.001 mm0.039370080.03937008 mil
0.1 mm3.9370083.937008 mil
1 mm39.3700839.37008 mil
2 mm78.7401678.74016 mil
3 mm118.11024118.11024 mil
4 mm157.48032157.48032 mil
5 mm196.8504196.8504 mil
6 mm236.22048236.22048 mil
7 mm275.59056275.59056 mil
8 mm314.96064314.96064 mil
9 mm354.33072354.33072 mil
10 mm393.7008393.7008 mil
20 mm787.4016787.4016 mil
30 mm1181.10241181.1024 mil
40 mm1574.80321574.8032 mil
50 mm1968.5041968.504 mil
100 mm3937.0083937.008 mil
1000 mm39370.0839370.08 mil
10000 mm393700.8393700.8 mil

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mm to mil | Convert Millimeter to Mil | Modern Converts