Millisecond (ms) - Unit Information & Conversion
What is a Millisecond?
Definition
A millisecond is a unit of time equal to one-thousandth (1/1,000) of a second.
History
The millisecond is derived from the SI base unit, the second, using the metric prefix 'milli-', indicating a factor of 10⁻³. Its common usage grew with the need for finer time measurements in science and technology, particularly in fields like computing and electronics.
Common Uses
- Computing: Measuring network latency (ping times), hard drive seek times, human reaction times in psychological tests, frame duration in video (e.g., 60 fps is ~16.7 ms per frame).
- Audio: Measuring delays and processing times in audio signals.
- Sports: Timing in races where differences are extremely small (e.g., swimming, track and field).
- Science: Measuring short-duration events, such as the firing of a neuron or rapid chemical processes.
- User Interface: Often used as a target for response times in interactive systems (e.g., aiming for under 100 ms for a feeling of instant response).
Unit FAQs
How many milliseconds are in one second?
There are 1,000 milliseconds in a second.
How many milliseconds are in one minute?
There are 60,000 milliseconds in a minute (1000 ms/s * 60 s/min).
Is a millisecond a long time for a computer?
In computing terms, a millisecond can be quite long. Processors perform millions of operations in a millisecond. Network latency is often measured in tens or hundreds of milliseconds.
Millisecond Conversion Formulas
To Second:
To Minute:
To Hour:
To Day:
To Week:
To Month:
To Year:
To Microsecond:
To Nanosecond:
To Decade:
To Century:
To Millennium:
To Fortnight:
To Planck Time:
To Shake:
To Sidereal Day:
To Sidereal Year:
Convert Millisecond
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