Use abbreviations for only those units of measure that occur repeatedly within your content. If you use certain units of measure only a few times, do not abbreviate the units of measure. Write out the units of measure in full each time.
Exception for simple units of measure
Do not abbreviate inch, mile, foot, or other simple units of measure except to save space in narrow table cells.
Important:
When you do not abbreviate units of measure, use the plural form for zero, such as 0 inches. Use the singular for other quantities of one or less, such as 0.5 inch.
Exception for units of measure without a number
Do not abbreviate any unit of measure that you use without a number.
Preferred
Discouraged
The table shows the relationship between the volume number and the actual change in volume, expressed in decibels.
The table shows the relationship between the volume number and the actual change in volume, expressed in dB.
