Gradians Conversion

The gradian is a unit used to measure angle. Use one of the conversion calculators below to convert to another unit of measure, or read on to learn more about gradians.

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Gradian Definition and Usage

A gradian is equal to 1/400 of a revolution or circle, or 9/10°. The grad, or gon, is more precisely defined as π/200, or 1.570796 × 10^-2 radians.^[1]

This unit simplifies the measurements of right angles, as 90° is equal to 100 gradians.

A gradian is sometimes also referred to as a grad, gon, or grade. Gradians can be abbreviated as ^g, and are also sometimes abbreviated as gr or grd. For example, 1 gradian can be written as 1^g, 1 gr, or 1 grd.

In formal expressions, the slash, or solidus (/), is used to separate units used to indicate division in an expression.

Background and Origin

Gradians originated in 1793 in post-revolutionary France and were initially part of the metric system. There are thus 100 grads in a right angle. Because of this, grads are sometimes called a metric degree.

Uses

Gradians currently have some specialized uses in certain fields such as surveying and mining. They are otherwise an abandoned unit of measurement in favor of radians and degrees, which are much more widely used.