mælieiningum

Mælieiningar are standardized units used to express physical quantities in a precise and comparable way. They include measurements of length, mass, time, temperature, electric current, amount of substance, and luminous intensity, and they provide a shared language for science, industry, and daily life.

The International System of Units (SI) is the modern standard for most measurements. The SI defines seven base units and a set of derived units formed by combining base units and using prefixes to indicate multiples and submultiples (such as milli-, kilo-, and micro-). This system supports consistent data reporting, calculation, and communication across borders.

In Iceland, as in many countries, SI is the official standard for science, education, government, and commerce. Icelandic usage may render unit names in local spellings, but the symbols and prefixes generally follow international conventions. Older or non-SI units may still appear in historical texts, crafts, and some cultural contexts.

Historically, many regions used different units for length, area, volume, and weight. The shift toward metric and, later, SI, occurred gradually from the 18th through the 20th centuries, leading to a common framework for measurement and facilitating trade, science, and engineering.

Related topics include metrology, measurement standards, and the International System of Units (SI).