---
title: Units of Measure Overview and Custom Units
description: Learn how units of measure work in Sortly, see the standard units included, and create, use, or delete custom units for your items.
---
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# Units of Measure Overview and Custom Units
Set up the units your team counts in, like feet, gallons, or boxes, so every quantity in Sortly means exactly what you expect. When everyone records stock the same way, you never have to guess whether "10" means ten boxes or ten pieces. This article walks you through how units of measure work, the standard units Sortly includes, and how to create, use, and delete custom units.
Advanced
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Premium
Enterprise
In this article
1. [How units of measure work](https://help.sortly.com/sb/units-of-measure#how-it-works)
2. [Who can manage units of measure](https://help.sortly.com/sb/units-of-measure#who-can-manage)
3. [Standard units](https://help.sortly.com/sb/units-of-measure#standard-units)
4. [Create a custom unit](https://help.sortly.com/sb/units-of-measure#create-custom-unit)
5. [Choose a unit for an item](https://help.sortly.com/sb/units-of-measure#assign-unit)
6. [Delete a custom unit](https://help.sortly.com/sb/units-of-measure#delete-custom-unit)
7. [Frequently asked questions](https://help.sortly.com/sb/units-of-measure#faq)
### How units of measure work
A unit of measure tells Sortly how an item is counted: by the piece, by weight, by length, by volume, or by area. Every item in your catalog has one unit, and that unit applies to all of the item's stock, at every location.
The unit shows up next to the item's quantity across Sortly, including on the item page, in reports, and in activity history. So if you set copper wire to Feet, a quantity of 250 always reads as 250 feet, wherever your team sees it.
If you track
You might use
Type
Bolts or fittings
Each
Count
Wire or pipe
Feet
Length
Paint or sealant
Gallons
Volume
Seed or fertilizer
Pounds
Weight
New items start with your account's default unit, Unit, until you choose a different one. The default unit is marked Default on the Units of Measure page.
---
### Who can manage units of measure
Owners and Admins can create and delete custom units. Anyone who can add or edit items can choose a unit for an item from the list.
⚠️ On the Free plan, every item uses the default unit, Unit. Choosing other units and creating custom units is available on Advanced, Ultra, Premium, and Enterprise plans.
---
### Standard units
Sortly includes a built-in list of common units, such as Each (ea), Box (box), Pound (lbs), and Kilogram (kg), so most teams can start without creating anything. Each unit has a name, an abbreviation, and a type: Count, Weight, Length, Volume, or Area.
You can see every unit in Setup \> Units of Measure. Units you've created yourself are labeled Custom under their name.
---
### Create a custom unit
Need a unit Sortly doesn't include, like Tube, Panel, or Pouch? You can create your own on the web. Custom units work well when you buy or use items in a package size that's specific to your business.
1
Select Setup in the left menu, then select Units of Measure.
2
Select Add Custom Unit. You'll find it at the top right of the page and at the bottom of the unit list.
3
In the Create New Unit window, enter a Name, such as Bag, and an Abbreviation, such as bg.
4
Choose a Type: Count, Weight, Length, Volume, or Area.
5
Select Create.
Your new unit is added to the list right away and is ready to use on any item.
💡 Importing items from a spreadsheet? Create any custom units your file uses before you start. Each unit in the file needs to already exist in Sortly. See [Import Items from a File](https://help.sortly.com/sb/importing-items?hsLang=en).
---
### Choose a unit for an item
You pick an item's unit when you add it to your catalog, and you can change it later by editing the item. Because the unit belongs to the catalog item, changing it updates the item everywhere it's stocked.
1
Add a new item, or open an existing item and select Edit.
2
Select the Unit of measure field, then search for or select the unit you want.
3
Select Save.
For the full steps to add an item, see [Add New Items to the Catalog](https://help.sortly.com/sb/adding-new-items?hsLang=en).
---
### Delete a custom unit
Created a unit you no longer need? You can delete it as long as no items are using it.
1
Select Setup, then select Units of Measure.
2
Find the custom unit you want to remove, select the three-dot menu at the end of its row, then select Delete.
3
Select Delete again to confirm.
🗑️ Deleting a custom unit removes it from your list of available units, and it can't be undone. A unit that's in use can't be deleted, so switch any items that use it to a different unit first.
---
### Frequently Asked Questions
How many custom units can I create?
You can create up to 25 custom units per account.
Can I edit a custom unit after I create it?
No. Once a custom unit is created, its name, abbreviation, and type can't be changed. If you need a different version, create a new custom unit and switch your items to it.
Can I delete one of Sortly's standard units?
No. Standard units are part of every account and can't be deleted. Only custom units have a delete option, and only when no items use them.
Can I use units of measure on the Free plan?
On the Free plan, every item uses the default unit, Unit. To choose other standard units or create custom units, upgrade to an Advanced, Ultra, Premium, or Enterprise plan.
Why did my import fail on the unit of measure column?
Each unit in your file needs to already exist in Sortly. If a row uses a unit Sortly doesn't recognize, create it as a custom unit first, then run the import again.
Can I manage units of measure on mobile?
No. You create and delete custom units on the web. On mobile, you can still choose from your existing units when you add or edit an item.
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