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What is the correct abbreviation for the word "requirements"?

Specifically, I am looking for the plural form of the abbreviation.

I have seen various usages including:

  • req's
  • reqs.
  • REQS
  • REQs
  • rqmts.

Are any of the above considered the correct form?

I am inclined to believe that req's is incorrect because it appears to be a contraction or in the possessive form.

REQS and REQs appear to be acronyms, which implies that each letter stands for some unique word.

So, it seems that reqs. and rqmts. are likely candidates to be the correct form, but I cannot find any definitive sources.

FWIW: As I type this question, my browser is marking only rqmts. with a spell check red underline. Indicating that perhaps all of the other options may be acceptable.

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    Well, one has to ask correct according to who(m)? You're free to abbreviate it anyway you want. There could be several "acceptable" abbreviations. Why do you need to abbreviate the word?
    – Arm the good guys in America
    Dec 22, 2016 at 15:50
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    You should not trust your browser as it can't recognize whether those abbreviations are for request or requirements (for example). What @Clare said, I think it will depend on your readers.
    – user140086
    Dec 22, 2016 at 15:54
  • a) By correct I suppose I mean widely used and least likely to be misinterpreted. Or, if there is a definitive source that you can reference, such as a dictionary or standards manual, that would give me additional confidence in usage. b) I am using the word in a subsection title of a document where I do not want the title to wrap to a new line. This word is the best choice for abbreviation after reducing the length of the title already.
    – gfullam
    Dec 22, 2016 at 15:56
  • Care to share the subtitle? I'm not convinced rqmts is less ambiguous than reqmts (which I might use), but when one abbreviates, one is cutting out text! Note reqt is given for both requirement and request and could be misinterpreted if the context weren't clear.
    – Arm the good guys in America
    Dec 22, 2016 at 16:34
  • And note others may use different abbreviations. US Army and others, perhaps.
    – Arm the good guys in America
    Dec 22, 2016 at 16:36

2 Answers 2

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A Dictionary of Abbreviations, Burt Vance (Oxford University Press) lists the following as abbreviations for 'requirement':

reqmt
reqt
rqmt

and for requirements

rqmts

I guess you could add an s and get reqts and reqmts. So far I haven't seen a period (.) used after any abbreviation in this resource.

Note reqt is also given for request, which I think shows even with abbreviations, ambiguity is possible.

For reqs it lists requires.

A link for rqmts is this but I don't know if it's visible because I'm accessing it through my library.

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  • Can you provide a link to an online resource, if available? Also, is it convention to use it with or without a period?
    – gfullam
    Dec 22, 2016 at 15:59
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    Link is here. It also shows REQ as request, eliminating other options posted.
    – Hank
    Dec 22, 2016 at 16:01
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    Ah, thanks for the link! It actually lists rqmts as the abbreviation for the plural form of requirements.
    – gfullam
    Dec 22, 2016 at 16:05
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    @Clare, yes, your link works. Thanks for updating the answer with the options and links. Accepted!
    – gfullam
    Dec 22, 2016 at 16:08
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    @Hank I've changed the link to yours, just in case. Thanks for your help.
    – Arm the good guys in America
    Dec 22, 2016 at 16:35
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A solid answer to the question is here: http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/abbreviations/#Q5

Can I use abbreviations in the title of a paper?

Avoid using abbreviations in the title of a paper. Writing out the full term in the title will ensure potential readers know exactly what you mean, and if your article is formally published, it will ensure it is accurately indexed.

This guideline overrides formatting concerns like not wanting to put part of a subtitle on another line.

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    doesn't answer the question
    – Drew
    Jun 30, 2017 at 2:03
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    The original author for this question explained in a later comment: "I am using the word in a subsection title of a document where I do not want the title to wrap to a new line. This word is the best choice for abbreviation after reducing the length of the title already." My answer addresses his underlying reasons for wishing to abbreviate this word in the first place and it is therefor a valid response to the question. (One of my hard-learned life lessons applies here: always remember to consider questioning the question itself.)
    – M.Burns
    Aug 1, 2017 at 19:38

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