Mil/Thou to Inch Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert mils to inches with our free online length converter.
Mil/Thou to Inch Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Mil/Thou).
- The converted value in Inch will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Length category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Mil/Thou to Inch
Converting Mil/Thou to Inch involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Mil/Thou = 0.001 inchesExample Calculation:
Convert 10 mils: 10 × 0.001 = 0.01 inches
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
What is a Mil/Thou and a Inch?
A mil (also known as a thou) is a unit of length equal to one thousandth of an inch (0.001 inches or 25.4 micrometers).
The inch is a unit of length in the British imperial and United States customary systems of measurement. It is defined as exactly 1/12 of a foot or 2.54 centimeters.
Note: The Mil/Thou is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Inch belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Mil/Thou and Inch
The unit originates from precision engineering and manufacturing where small tolerances are critical.
The inch has ancient origins, historically related to the width of a thumb or the length of three barleycorns laid end-to-end. Its definition was standardized internationally in 1959 based on the metric system (1 inch = 2.54 cm exactly).
Common Uses for mils and inches
Explore the typical applications for both Mil/Thou (imperial/US) and Inch (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for mils
- Measuring thickness of materials (e.g., paper, plastic film, coatings)
- Specifying manufacturing tolerances
- Electronics (e.g., PCB trace widths)
Common Uses for inches
- Everyday US Measurements: Everyday measurements in the US (e.g., height, paper size, screen sizes).
- US Construction: Construction and carpentry in the US.
- Apparel Sizing: Clothing sizes (e.g., waist size, inseam).
- US Meteorology: Measuring rainfall in the US.
- Engineering Components: Component sizes in some engineering fields.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Mil/Thou (mil)
Is a mil the same as a millimeter?
No, a mil (0.001 inches) is much smaller than a millimeter (0.001 meters). 1 millimeter is approximately 39.37 mils.
Is 'mil' short for millimeter?
No, 'mil' is short for the Latin 'mille', meaning thousandth (of an inch). It is not an abbreviation for millimeter (mm).
What does 'thou' mean in this context?
'Thou' is another common name for a mil, also meaning one thousandth (of an inch). It is frequently used in engineering and machining.
About Inch (in)
How many inches are in a foot?
There are exactly 12 inches (in) in 1 foot (ft).
How many centimeters are in an inch?
There are exactly 2.54 centimeters (cm) in 1 inch (in).
Where is the inch primarily used?
The inch is the standard unit for many everyday length measurements in the United States. It is also used to some extent in Canada and the UK, though metric is more common officially.
Conversion Table: Mil/Thou to Inch
| Mil/Thou (mil) | Inch (in) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.001 |
| 5 | 0.005 |
| 10 | 0.01 |
| 25 | 0.025 |
| 50 | 0.05 |
| 100 | 0.1 |
| 500 | 0.5 |
| 1,000 | 1 |