For people, place, prosperity and planet, we deliver impact with measurement science. Learn more about how our work is helping rise to society’s challenges.
We identify trends in the future of society and industry, analyses which technologies will enable them and explores the implications on metrology.
Our guides aim to improve measurement understanding and technical abilities across the UK and the rest of the world
We have an extensive library of publications written by our passionate scientists with world-class measurement capabilities
Our scientists have developed a range of software which is freely available to download
Answers to a range of frequently asked science questions, such as the SI units and Is midnight 12am or 12pm?
The International System of Units (SI) is a globally agreed system of measurements which has been developed over more than two centuries
The MSF 60 kHz standard-frequency and time signal is occasionally taken off-air to allow maintenance work to be carried out
As the UK's national laboratory for measurement science and metrology, providing the measurement standards for science, technology and manufacturing. Throughout the pandemic, we applied our expertise to meet the unprecedented challenges caused by COVID-19.
In 2021, our leading scientists created twelve roadmaps for our highest priority research areas based on the findings of NPL’s Technology and Measurement Foresighting exercise. The roadmaps show the critical metrology that needs to be in place over the next decade, as well as highlighting the measurement challenges and barriers.
The information contained in Kaye and Laby is no longer being updated. Please note that this is a historical version of the document. For example, it does not contain the new SI Base Unit definitions from May 2019, or the fundamental constant values also redefined around that time.
An archived version can be found here.
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