PickGlobeCompare: facts side by side
Tables built from official and standards sources, each with its sources and the date we read them. These are specs compared, not tested: we have not tested any product or store.
Gold, silver and platinum terms on jewelry (US rules)
What common terms mean under US Federal Trade Commission guidance. Marks and rules differ in the UK (see the hallmarking section of our jewelry guide).
| Term | What it means | Minimum standard |
|---|---|---|
| 24K gold | Pure gold | 100% gold |
| 18K gold | Karat divided by 24 | 75% gold |
| 14K gold | Karat divided by 24 (our arithmetic) | about 58.3% gold |
| Gold filled, gold overlay, rolled gold plate | Gold applied mechanically over a base metal | At least 10K gold; the mark states a fraction if the gold is under 1/20 of the item's metal weight |
| Gold electroplate | Gold applied by electroplating | At least 10K gold, at least 0.175 microns thick |
| Vermeil | Sterling silver coated with gold | At least 10K gold, at least 2.5 microns thick (16 CFR 23.4) |
| Sterling silver | Silver alloy, usually stamped 925 | 92.5% silver |
| Coin silver | Silver alloy | 90% silver |
| Platinum | Plain "platinum" label | At least 95% pure platinum; 50% to 85% must state percentages (for example "850 Plat."); under 50% cannot be called platinum |
Karat percentages are karat divided by 24; stamps on real items can be rounded.
Sources: US FTC, buying platinum, gold and silver jewelry; 16 CFR 23.4, vermeil (Cornell LII). Last checked: October 16, 2026. Read: Buying Jewelry Online
Sunscreen label terms: US (FDA) and UK (NHS)
The two sources use different terms, so do not mix them: read the label for the country it was made for.
| Term | US (FDA) | UK (NHS) |
|---|---|---|
| SPF | Measures protection against sunburn, mainly UVB; not how many hours you can stay out | Choose SPF 30 or higher |
| UVA protection | "Broad Spectrum" if the product passes the FDA UVA test | At least 4-star UVA, or a "UVA" logo in a circle |
| Water resistance | Only tested products may say so, with 40 or 80 minutes | Water-resistant products still need reapplying |
| "Waterproof", "sweatproof", "sunblock" | Not allowed | Not covered on the page we read |
| Reapplying | Directions to reapply are required, usually every 2 hours | About every 2 hours, and after swimming, towel drying or sweating |
| After opening | No date? FDA says treat as expired 3 years after purchase | Open-jar symbol with "M" and a number shows months after opening |
Sources: US FDA, sunscreen: how to help protect your skin from the sun; NHS, sunscreen and sun safety. Last checked: October 15, 2026. Read: Sunscreen, Cosmetics and Hair Product Labels
Room air conditioner size by floor area (ENERGY STAR)
Capacity needed for a room with 8-foot ceilings. Square metres are our conversion (1 square metre is about 10.76 square feet).
| Floor area (sq ft) | Floor area (approx. sq m) | Capacity (BTU per hour) |
|---|---|---|
| 100 to 150 | 9 to 14 | 5,000 |
| 150 to 250 | 14 to 23 | 6,000 |
| 250 to 300 | 23 to 28 | 7,000 |
| 300 to 350 | 28 to 33 | 8,000 |
| 350 to 400 | 33 to 37 | 9,000 |
| 400 to 450 | 37 to 42 | 10,000 |
| 450 to 550 | 42 to 51 | 12,000 |
| 550 to 700 | 51 to 65 | 14,000 |
| 700 to 1,000 | 65 to 93 | 18,000 |
| 1,000 to 1,200 | 93 to 111 | 21,000 |
| 1,200 to 1,400 | 111 to 130 | 23,000 |
| 1,400 to 1,500 | 130 to 139 | 24,000 |
| 1,500 to 2,000 | 139 to 186 | 30,000 |
| 2,000 to 2,500 | 186 to 232 | 34,000 |
| Adjustments | Heavy shade: reduce 10%. Very sunny: add 10%. More than two regular occupants: add 600 BTU each. Kitchen: add 4,000 BTU. |
ENERGY STAR warns a unit that is too big costs more, wastes energy and leaves the room damp.
Sources: ENERGY STAR, room air conditioners. Last checked: October 15, 2026. Read: Wi-Fi, Cooling and Smart Home Basics · Read: How to Choose a Smart AC Controller
England: when a shed or outbuilding needs planning permission
Outbuildings are usually permitted development, but permission is needed if any of these apply. England only.
| Condition | Limit |
|---|---|
| Position | Not in front of the wall forming the main front of the house |
| Height | One storey at most; eaves up to 2.5 m; overall up to 4 m (dual-pitched roof) or 3 m (other roofs) |
| Near a boundary | Within 2 m of the boundary: no taller than 2.5 m |
| Coverage | Buildings and structures cover no more than half the land around the original house |
| Designated land (National Parks, the Broads, AONBs, World Heritage Sites) | More than 20 m from the house: 10 sq m in total |
| Raised features | Veranda, balcony or raised platform no higher than 0.3 m |
| Listed buildings | Any outbuilding in the curtilage needs permission |
Applies to houses, not flats or converted homes. Local restrictions such as Article 4 Directions can apply. Not legal advice.
Sources: Planning Portal, outbuildings: planning permission. Last checked: October 16, 2026. Read: How to Choose Shed Plans Online
Carry-on liquids: US (TSA) and UK (GOV.UK)
Airports and airlines can be stricter, so check yours before you fly.
| Rule | United States (TSA) | United Kingdom (GOV.UK) |
|---|---|---|
| Container size | 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less | At most UK airports 100 ml; some airports allow up to 2 litres |
| Bag | One quart-size bag, separate from the carry-on | One clear resealable bag of about 1 litre, shown at security, where asked |
| Medicines, diet, baby | Medications and infant and child nourishments are exempt | Up to 2 litres for essential medical needs, special diets, baby food or milk |
| Frozen liquids | Not covered on the page | Not allowed |
Sources: US TSA, liquids, aerosols and gels rule; GOV.UK, hand luggage restrictions: liquids. Last checked: October 15, 2026. Read: Travel and Gadgets
Power banks on flights: UK CAA rules
Rules from 27 March 2026. Your airline may be stricter. Watt-hours = volts x amp-hours (a 20,000 mAh bank at 3.6 V is 72 Wh).
| Rating | Allowed? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 Wh | Yes | Cabin baggage only; no airline approval needed |
| Above 100 Wh up to 160 Wh | With airline approval | Cabin baggage only |
| Number | Up to two per person | |
| Use | Not recharged on board; should not charge other devices | Protect against short circuit (original packaging, taped terminals or a pouch) |
US limits were not verified.
Sources: UK CAA, changes to rules on lithium cells, batteries and power banks. Last checked: October 15, 2026. Read: Travel and Gadgets
Uptime promise to downtime
What an availability percentage allows. The downtime figures are our arithmetic (30-day month, 365-day year); the credit example is one provider's published terms.
| Uptime promise | Downtime per 30-day month | Downtime per year |
|---|---|---|
| 99.9% | about 43 minutes | about 8.8 hours |
| 99.95% | about 22 minutes | about 4.4 hours |
| 99.99% | about 4 minutes | about 53 minutes |
| Example credit tiers (AWS region SLA) | 10% of the bill below 99.99%; 30% below 99.0%; 100% below 95.0% | Credits go against future bills; you must claim |
Shared hosting terms differ: read the plan you are considering.
Sources: Amazon EC2 SLA (last updated 25 May 2022). Last checked: October 15, 2026. Read: Web Hosting and Domains
Returns and cancellation: UK and EU
Distance purchases from traders. Purchases from private sellers are not covered.
| Item | United Kingdom (GOV.UK) | European Union (Your Europe) |
|---|---|---|
| Cancel after receipt | 14 days | 14 days from delivery (for services, from the day the contract is agreed) |
| Send goods back | Within 14 days after you tell the seller | Buyer usually pays return postage unless the seller offers or failed to tell them before purchase |
| Refund | Within 14 days of the seller getting the goods back | Within 14 days under the rules we read |
| Faulty goods | 30-day short-term right to reject; six-month presumption; claims up to 6 years (5 in Scotland) | Legal guarantee of at least 2 years; defects within 1 year presumed present at delivery |
| Examples of exceptions | Personalised goods, sealed hygiene items once opened, fresh flowers, fixed-date services | Travel and event tickets, made-to-order items, fast-spoiling food, opened sealed media |
Sources: GOV.UK, accepting returns and giving refunds; Your Europe, returns; Your Europe, guarantees. Last checked: October 15, 2026. Read: Online Shopping Rights and Returns
US late-delivery rule (FTC mail, internet or phone order rule)
Written for sellers; this is what it means for a buyer.
| Situation | What the seller must do | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| No shipping promise | Be able to ship | Within 30 days of a complete order (50 days if the buyer applies for credit) |
| Cannot ship on time | Tell the buyer promptly and offer to accept the delay or cancel for a full refund | New date of 30 days or less: silence can count as agreement; otherwise the order is cancelled if the buyer does not respond |
| Refund due | Full amount including shipping and fees, in money | Generally within seven working days (one billing cycle for credit the seller issues) |
Not covered: magazine subscriptions after the first issue, seeds and plants, COD orders, services.
Sources: US FTC, business guide to the Mail, Internet or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule. Last checked: October 15, 2026. Read: Online Shopping Rights and Returns
Children's shoe fit checks (APMA)
General guidance from a podiatry trade body; for a foot problem, see a podiatrist.
| Check | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Toe room | About 10 to 15 mm beyond the longest toe |
| Width | Toe box at least as wide as the widest part of the foot; avoid narrow, tapered shoes |
| Different feet | Size to the larger foot |
| Re-check size | Every 4 to 6 months (other health services give shorter intervals) |
| Materials and closure | Breathable (mesh or leather); laces or Velcro to keep the shoe secure; flexible, light shoes for young children |
Sources: APMA, buying children's footwear. Last checked: October 15, 2026. Read: Children's Shoes Online
Mattress sizes: United States
Standard US mattress sizes in inches (width x length), from a secondary source (see below). Centimetres are our conversion (1 inch = 2.54 cm). Thickness is not standardised and varies by maker and model, so check it against your fitted sheets.
| Size | Inches | Centimetres (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | 38 x 75 | 97 x 190 |
| Twin XL | 38 x 80 | 97 x 203 |
| Full (double) | 54 x 75 | 137 x 190 |
| Queen | 60 x 80 | 152 x 203 |
| King | 76 x 80 | 193 x 203 |
| California King | 72 x 84 | 183 x 213 |
Secondary source, read 16 October 2026: Sleep Foundation is a commercial consumer publisher, not a standards body. It says width and length are standardised but not who sets the standard. We will replace this with the industry association's own dimensional guidelines once we can read them. Makers may differ by about half an inch.
Sources: Sleep Foundation, mattress sizes (updated 11 July 2025; a consumer publisher, not a standards body); ISPA, Voluntary Dimensional Guidelines (publication page only; dimensions not read). Last checked: October 16, 2026. Read: Mattress Size Chart
Mattress sizes: United Kingdom
UK sizes in centimetres (width x length), as listed for the National Bed Federation by an encyclopedia article. This is a secondary source: shops often round these to 90 x 190, 135 x 190, 150 x 200 and 180 x 200, so a difference of a centimetre or two between listings is normal.
| Size | Centimetres |
|---|---|
| Small single | 76 x 191 |
| Single | 91 x 191 |
| Small double | 122 x 191 |
| Double | 137 x 191 |
| King | 152 x 198 |
| Super king | 183 x 198 |
Summary, not a primary source: the National Bed Federation page could not be opened. UK sizes describe the mattress, not the frame. The article says a tolerance of up to 2 cm is allowed. EU and Australian sizes are not shown because we have not read a primary source for them.
Sources: Wikipedia, Bed size (secondary summary of National Bed Federation sizes; last edit shown 15 October 2026). Last checked: October 16, 2026. Read: Mattress Size Chart
Rules change. Confirm the current text on the official page before you act on it.