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Rules and style conventions There are a number of rules and style conventions for the use of the SI. These ensure that scientific and technical communication is not hindered by ambiguity. Users interested in a complete description of these rules and style conventions may access NIST Special Publication 811 (SP 811). An updated SP 811 will be published soon that reflects changes incorporated in the BIPM SI Brochure (9th Edition). Here the rules and style conventions are summarized via a checklist designed to help authors review the conformity of their manuscripts with proper SI usage and the basic principles concerning quantities and units. The checklist is available in two versions: a regular version, and an acrobat PDF version that offers higher printing quality. Select a checklist: Regular - html screen-friendly   or   Acrobat - PDF printer-friendly         Most word-processing software now in use is capable of producing lightface (that is, regular) or boldface letters of the Latin or Greek alphabets in both roman (upright) and italic (sloping) types. Guidance on the correct typeface to use for symbols in scientific publications is given in PDF format in Typefaces for symbols in scientific manuscripts. Return to Units home page Online: March 1998   -   Last update: June 2019