BASH printf numbers with 1 char suffix -

i'm trying format number in bash. i'd replicate byte/packet number output iptables.

here examples:

258 591k 55273 37g 22244 2212 6127k 12m 114k 

as can see:

• there no thousands separator,
• the field max of 5 characters wide,
• each suffix either: none, k, m, g, etc...

i've searched documentation on printf have been unable find can format number way. know how this?

thanks.

you build custom formatting awk, :

awk 'begin{ u[0]=""; u[1]="k"; u[2]="m"; u[3]="g"} { n = $1; = 0; while(n > 1000) { i+=1; n= int(n/1000) } print n u[i] } ' 

---

input sample :

258 591000 55273 37000000000 22244 2212 6127000 12000000 114000 

output :

258 591k 55k 37g 22k 2k 6m 12m 114k