3K

3k is a designation most commonly used to denote the number three thousand, with the letter k standing for the SI prefix kilo, meaning one thousand. In general, 3k can be read as 3 × 10^3 or as 3,000, and its exact meaning depends on the context. In informal writing, 3k and 3K are often used interchangeably to indicate roughly three thousand units of whatever is being counted, such as dollars, people, or items. When precision is important, the figure should be written as 3,000 or stated with the units explicitly.

In computing and data storage, 3k can refer to a size around 3 kilobytes. However, there is a distinction between decimal kilobytes (kB) and binary kibibytes (KiB): 1 KiB equals 1,024 bytes, so 3 KiB equals 3,072 bytes. Many contexts use decimal kilobytes, where 1 kB = 1,000 bytes, so 3 kB equals 3,000 bytes. When discussing memory, file sizes, or data transfer, it is important to note which convention is being used.

In imaging and display, 3K is sometimes used as an informal shorthand for a horizontal resolution near 3,000 pixels, such as around 3,000 pixels wide. It is not a standardized specification like 2K or 4K; exact values and naming vary by vendor or project, and “3K” may be used more as marketing shorthand than a strict technical standard.

Outside technical contexts, 3k appears in phrases like “3k followers” or “3k budget,” where it simply signifies the quantity three thousand. See also related terms such as 2K and 4K for broader context.