# Circuit diagrams use unit prefix symbol as a decimal point

I've seen some circuit diagrams on-line that appear to use the units prefix symbol as the decimal point. So a 6.8kΩ resistor is shown as 6k8 and a 1.2nF capacitor is shown as 1n2. Is this an accepted practice, and am I interpreting the values correctly?

• Both of them are representing the same values and yes, accepted. May 17 at 14:36
• May 17 at 16:08
• I've written a little python library that generates and parses this type of string. May 17 at 18:19
• Note that this is even accepted/common practice enough to be supported by many tool like circuit designers or simulators as input format. May 18 at 10:06
• Also, some components also have markings in this format. I think I've first seen it on '70-'80 era soviet resistors. It's an intuitive notation in my opinion. May 19 at 12:19

Yes, the practice is certainly accepted although there may not be a formal standard or requirement. You are interpreting the values correctly. Note that when no prefix is needed we use the quantity symbol instead, so $$\1.1\Omega\$$ is written as 1R1.