Mil/Thou to Millimeter Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert mils to millimeters with our free online length converter.
Mil/Thou to Millimeter Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Mil/Thou).
- The converted value in Millimeter 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 Millimeter
Converting Mil/Thou to Millimeter involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Mil/Thou = 0.0254 millimetersExample Calculation:
Convert 10 mils: 10 × 0.0254 = 0.254 millimeters
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 Millimeter?
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 millimeter is a unit of length in the metric system equal to one-thousandth of a meter (1/1000 m) or one-tenth of a centimeter (1/10 cm). It is used for very precise measurements.
Note: The Mil/Thou is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Millimeter belongs to the metric (SI) system.
History of the Mil/Thou and Millimeter
The unit originates from precision engineering and manufacturing where small tolerances are critical.
Defined as a subunit of the meter within the original metric system, the millimeter provides a standard unit for fine measurements required in science, engineering, and manufacturing.
Common Uses for mils and millimeters
Explore the typical applications for both Mil/Thou (imperial/US) and Millimeter (metric) 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 millimeters
- Engineering & Machining: Precise engineering and machining measurements.
- Technical Design: Technical drawings and specifications.
- Electronics: Measuring small electronic components or wire gauges.
- Meteorology: Measuring rainfall amounts.
- Science: Scientific measurements requiring high precision (e.g., microscopy).
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 Millimeter (mm)
How many millimeters are in a centimeter?
There are 10 millimeters (mm) in 1 centimeter (cm).
How many millimeters are in a meter?
There are 1,000 millimeters (mm) in 1 meter (m).
What does 'milli' mean in millimeter?
The prefix 'milli' denotes one-thousandth (1/1000).
Conversion Table: Mil/Thou to Millimeter
| Mil/Thou (mil) | Millimeter (mm) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.025 |
| 5 | 0.127 |
| 10 | 0.254 |
| 25 | 0.635 |
| 50 | 1.27 |
| 100 | 2.54 |
| 500 | 12.7 |
| 1,000 | 25.4 |
All Length Conversions
Other Units from Length
- Meter (m)
- Kilometer (km)
- Hectometer (hm)
- Decimeter (dm)
- Centimeter (cm)
- Inch (in)
- Foot (ft)
- Yard (yd)
- Mile (mi)
- Nautical Mile (NM)
- Micrometer (μm)
- Nanometer (nm)
- Light Year (ly)
- Astronomical Unit (AU)
- Parsec (pc)
- Angstrom (Å)
- Point (Typography) (pt)
- Fathom (fath)
- Furlong (fur)
- Link (Gunter's) (li)
- Pace (pace)
- Span (span)
- Digit (digit)
- Cable Length (cb)
- Ell (ell)
- Finger (finger)
- Roman Mile (m.p.)
- Stadion (stadion)
- Chi (Chinese) (chi)
- Shaku (Japanese) (shaku)
- Li (Chinese) (li)
- Toise (toise)
- Bolt (bolt)
- Rope (rope)
- Smoot (smoot)
- Sajene (sajene)
- Ken (ken)
- Wa (wa)
- Vara (vara)
- Aln (aln)
- Cubit (Royal/Egyptian) (cubit)
- Versta (versta)
- Arpent (arpent)
- Ri (Japanese) (ri)
- Klafter (klafter)
- Yojana (yojana)
- Skein (skein)