yrs

yrs is an abbreviation commonly used to denote years, the unit of time equal to approximately twelve months. It appears in informal writing, notes, data tables, and in contexts where a duration or age is being stated, such as “5 yrs” or “10 yrs ago.” For singular usage, many style guides prefer the form “yr” (as in “1 yr”), while “yrs” is the standard plural. Some typographic traditions place a period after the abbreviation (yr., yrs.), but modern practice varies by guide and region. In formal prose, spelling out “years” is often recommended.

A year can be defined in several ways. A calendar year typically has 365 days, with a leap year adding a day to make 366. In astronomy, a tropical year is about 365.2422 days, reflecting the cycle of seasons. When paired with the abbreviation, the exact meaning of “yrs” is determined by the context—historical dating, durations, or age—rather than by the abbreviation itself.

Examples of usage include “the patient is 8 yrs old,” “the project lasted 3 yrs,” and “the company has existed for 15 yrs.” In data presentation, using “yrs” can save space in tables and charts. While widely understood, abbreviations like “yrs” should be used consistently within a document, with a preference for spelling out “years” in formal writing. In all-caps contexts, YRS may also appear as an acronym for specific organizations or programs, where its meaning is defined by the surrounding text.