YMMV

YMMV

Chat abbreviation: Your Mileage May Vary.

The expression YMMV indicates that results can vary (according to many factors which depending on the context may not necessarily be obvious) and that results may not be the same for everyone. YMMV is an informal expression, so typically used and found in online chat, texts, emails etc between friends, but is less likely to be used in formal documents.

The expression YMMV indicates that results can vary and that results may not be the same for everyone. Differences may be down to many factors, not all of which may be obvious.

Typically the expression YMMV is used in situations where someone is referring to their own experience. For example: "When I did it, it took three hours to walk up Snowdon, YMMV." In this example it may have taken me three hours to walk up Snowdon, so that might be used as a guide but in practise it will take you less than that or more than that. This example also shows that YMMV can be used when measuring things other than mileage.

Sometimes the expression is miss-used to indicate that there are factors which the author has no knowledge of but which could easily be explained by someone in a more knowledgeable position.

The abbreviation has its origins in fuel consumption figures for cars. The distance two car drivers will be able to travel on a full tank of petrol/diesel, will vary even if they are driving the same type of car. In the case of car journeys this is because of factors which include driving style, traffic conditions, weather, weight of passengers, the route taken, etc. This analogy applies equally to other areas, where outcomes cannot be simply predicted hence the expression "Your Mileage May Vary" and the abbreviation YMMV.