FAQs
K comes from the Greek word kilo which means a thousand. The Greeks would likewise show million as M, short for Mega. So if we stay consistent with the Greek abbreviations, then billion would be shown as a letter G (Giga).
Should k be capitalized for thousand? ›
The capital letter K is sometimes used informally to represent one thousand (dollars), especially in newspaper headlines. There is no space between the numeral and the letter K , as in 75 K . The letter K should not be used as an abbreviation for one thousand (dollars) in formal writing.
What is the small K for 1000? ›
The proper prefix to denote 1000 is a lowercase 'k'. The uppercase has become somewhat common but is indeed incorrect.
Why is K used for thousands in money? ›
The financial world uses "K" when referring to "per thousand dollars". Why is there such a difference in terms when they basically mean the same thing? K comes from the Greek world "kilo" which means one thousand and is used in metric / decimal systems. The corresponding prefix for one million is M.
How do you represent 1000 in K? ›
So, people occasionally represent the number in a non-standard notation by replacing the last three zeros of the general numeral with "k": for instance, 1k (or 1K) for 1,000.
What K is a slang for thousand? ›
K. The letter K is used as shorthand to mean a thousand dollars; if someone has 50K, they have $50,000. A K represents the Greek prefix kilo-, which is used in many words that refer to a thousand of something.
Why do Americans say K for thousand? ›
We use “k” to represent thousands because it comes from the Greek word for one thousand: χίλια (HEEL-ya). Why? In Greek the letter χ is actually pronounced “HEE” but in English it is pronounced “k.” The prefix “kilo” before the word “metre,” for example, means “a thousand” metres.
Should I use K or M for thousand? ›
According to the other convention, K is used instead of M for thousands (as in $150K for $150,000), because K stands for kilo, the Greek-derived term often used as a prefix to mean “thousand.” This meaning is standard in the sciences, where the kilogram (abbreviated “kg” and equal to 1,000 grams) is the base unit of ...
Is K 1000 or 10000? ›
In money usage and just about all non-computer usage, K=1000, so $10K = Ten Thousand Dollars. The “K” comes from “Kilo”, which is ultimately from ancient Greek: Kilo, which means 1,000.
What does 1k look like in numbers? ›
1000 or one thousand is the natural number following 999 and preceding 1001. In most English-speaking countries, it can be written with or without a comma or sometimes a period separating the thousands digit: 1,000.
1000 (1,000, one thousand or thousand for short) is the natural number after 999 and before 1001. One thousand thousands is known as a million.
What does the K mean in 1 thousand? ›
The letter 'k' is a symbol for “kilo,” which denotes a factor of one thousand in the International System of Units (SI).
What does K symbolize in money? ›
“K” in money means a thousand. In Mathematics, Kilo means thousand, thus, the letter K. For example, 5K money basically just means five thousand (5,000). When used with currencies, 10K money is $10,000.
Why do we call 1000 as 1k? ›
This convention comes from the Greek word “kilo,” which means a thousand. So, what does K mean in math? In mathematics and numerical notations, the letter “K” represents a thousand. Thus, the “1K” is equivalent to 1,000.
How much is 1k? ›
1k" typically represents 1,000. So, if you're referring to 1k in US dollars, it would be $1,000.