Ontology of units of Measure (OM)
The benefits
In short- Improved data interoperability
- Greater accuracy in calculations and predictions
- Broad applicability across sectors
- Open-source and scientifically validated
- Faster development of smart applications
Apps with personalised dietary advice, systems that predict the shelf life of fresh fruit and vegetables, and a detection system that indicates how many underwater species are left in the ocean all have one thing in common: they only work if computers know how to handle the underlying data. One way to do this is by annotating with the ontology of measurements (OM), which contains thousands of terms on quantities and units pertaining to things like length, weight and energy value – from metres and inches to spoons and millilitres per litre.
OM: A universal Ontology for Units of Measure
The Ontology of Units of Measure (OM), developed by Wageningen University & Research, enables accurate exchange and processing of quantitative data. By standardising how units and measurements are represented, OM makes data interoperable across software applications—for example, converting recipe units between languages or tailoring nutritional information to personal needs. OM is open-source and supports reliable calculations and predictions based on data from multiple sources.
An independent German assessment ranked OM as the best-performing units-of-measure ontology worldwide. It outperformed six alternatives on criteria such as consistency, completeness, usability, and its ability to support unit conversions and scientific comparisons.
Integration with other ontologies
Wageningen experts frequently combine OM with other domain ontologies in collaboration with research and industry partners, including TNO. OM supports a wide range of applications, such as personalised dietary advice, predicting the quality of fresh produce in supply chains, helping farmers access innovation knowledge, and analysing global protein demand in relation to biomass use. Organisations can adopt OM or request support to integrate it into their own systems.
What OM contains
OM provides a comprehensive set of classes, instances, and properties representing quantities and units—from familiar SI units (meter, kilogram) to domain-specific measures like the Hubble constant or vase life. Modelled in OWL 2, OM covers the full conceptual space defined in relevant standards, enabling it to answer a wider array of domain questions than other ontologies.
An ontology can be seen as a dictionary for computers. It gives meaning to words and numbers and their relationships, helping software programs unlock, connect and interpret data from different sources. This makes it possible to develop smart applications and software solutions, enabling companies to make informed decisions and allowing processes to be automated in a smart way.
Get in touch
You can always contact Wageningen Food & Biobased Research for implementing or extending OM in favour of new applications.
dr. H (Hajo) Rijgersberg
WR Onderzoeker
