Gaussian units constitute a
metric system of
physical units. This system is the most common of the several electromagnetic unit systems based on
cgs (centimetre–gram–second) units. It is also called the
Gaussian unit system,
Gaussian-cgs units, or often just
cgs units. The term "cgs units" is ambiguous and therefore to be avoided if possible: cgs contains within it several conflicting sets of electromagnetism units, not just Gaussian units, as described below.