# What does “unit” mean for a metric?

**Unit = the measurement type for a metric value (e.g., acres, feet, pounds, dollars, or count).**

In FieldDoc, a metric **unit** is the **label that tells you what the metric is measured in**—so the number you enter has clear meaning and can be compared or summed correctly.

#### What a “unit” does

* **Clarifies the value**: “10” *of what*? Acres, feet, trees, pounds, dollars, etc.
* **Keeps reporting consistent**: Everyone records the same kind of quantity the same way.
* **Prevents bad rollups**: You can safely total **acres + acres**, but not **acres + feet**.

#### Common examples

* **Acres** (e.g., “Acres treated”)
* **Linear feet / miles** (e.g., “Stream restored (feet)”)
* **Count** (e.g., “Trees planted (count)”)
* **Square feet** (e.g., “Impervious area removed (sq ft)”)
* **Pounds / tons** (e.g., “Nutrients reduced (lbs)”)
* **Dollars** (e.g., “Match funding ($)”)
* **Each / sites / structures** (e.g., “Rain gardens installed (each)”)

#### A quick rule of thumb

If you can’t read the metric out loud as:

> “**\[number] \[unit] of \[metric name]**”\
> …then the unit probably needs to be clarified.


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