Template talk:Convert/Archive November 2015

Converting one unit into two other units

I don't see how to use the Convert template to convert one unit (stone) into two other units (Lb. and Kg). I tried using "{convert|5|st|lb|kg}" which didn't work, giving only, "5 stone (70 lb)". Is it possible to do it in a simple fashion? I'm assuming it doesn't violate Wikipedia policy to give two converted units after a given unit.

As a side question about the Ft. McHenry example ("The American defenders had 18-, 24- and 32-pounder (8, 11 and 15 kg) cannons"), why would anyone go through such a convoluted process? Wouldn't it be much simpler to just type the text? (If you don't feel like answering that question, don't bother.) Thanks. __209.179.55.119 (talk) 16:40, 26 October 2015 (UTC)

@209.179.55.119:, try {{convert|5|st|lb kg}}, which gives 5 stone (70 lb; 32 kg). Imzadi 1979 → 18:43, 26 October 2015 (UTC)

As for the Ft. McHenry example, the point is that first you let {{Convert}} do the calculations, save intermediate, and then you use the numbers to write the sentence. -DePiep (talk) 21:34, 26 October 2015 (UTC)

• In page "Fort McHenry" then perhaps the best tactic would be to hand-format the input amounts but use "disp=out" to show the generated output amounts:

• Using: the 18-, 24-, and 32-pounder ({{convert|18|,|24|and|32|lb|kg|0|disp=out}}) cannons
• Gives: the 18-, 24-, and 32-pounder (8, 11 and 15 kg) cannons

In general, we try to avoid hard-coding the generated output numbers because they often change, or people monkey with the numbers and few editors would realize the conversions become outdated. There are also special Convert templates to insert free-form text anywhere into the middle of multiple conversions. Typically, many users need more practice to streamline the complicated uses of Convert, but that's why people can ask for ideas here on the talk-page. -Wikid77 (talk) 19:25, 27 October 2015 (UTC)

Thanks to all - much appreciated. __209.179.55.119 (talk) 00:22, 2 November 2015 (UTC)

Minor problem

Hi, I am trying use the convert template while reworking Tropical Cyclone Scales and Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale and am finding that the conversions are off by 1 at time. The best illustration of this I can provide is the range of a category 4 hurricane on the SSHWS. It is meant to be mph, 113-136 kt, or 209-251 km/h, however, the template is producing 113–136 kn (130–157 mph; 209–252 km/h). As a result im wondering if there is a way to avoid this issue without restorting to writing it out by hand.Jason Rees (talk) 14:39, 7 November 2015 (UTC)

It's due to rounding and also which set of figures are used as the original values for the conversion. If you use the mph values as the orignal values and convert into the other two then it matches with the document. 130–156 mph (113–136 kn; 209–251 km/h) -- WOSlinker (talk) 16:53, 7 November 2015 (UTC)