An abbreviation for a unit is a short ASCII string that is used in place of the full name for the unit in contexts where non-ASCII characters would be problematic, or where using the abbreviation will enhance readability. When a power of abase unit needs to be expressed, such as squares this can be done using abbreviations rather than symbols. For example, <em>sq ft</em> means <em>square foot</em>, and <em>cu ft</em> means <em>cubic foot</em>.

abbreviation