diff --git a/doc/pair_sw.html b/doc/pair_sw.html
index 26979f2e6d..9f3bad4b1b 100644
--- a/doc/pair_sw.html
+++ b/doc/pair_sw.html
@@ -115,6 +115,12 @@ are not used for anything and can be set to 0.0 if desired.
 <P>This pair potential requires the <A HREF = "newton.html">newton</A> setting to be
 "on" for pair interactions.
 </P>
+<P>The Stillinger-Weber potential files provided with LAMMPS (see the
+potentials directory) are parameterized for metal <A HREF = "units.html">units</A>.
+You can use the SW potential with any LAMMPS units, but you need to
+create your own SW potential file if your simulation doesn't use
+"metal" units.
+</P>
 <P><B>Related commands:</B>
 </P>
 <P><A HREF = "pair_coeff.html">pair_coeff</A>
diff --git a/doc/pair_sw.txt b/doc/pair_sw.txt
index ec7a9168c2..d2f7c4625c 100644
--- a/doc/pair_sw.txt
+++ b/doc/pair_sw.txt
@@ -112,6 +112,12 @@ are not used for anything and can be set to 0.0 if desired.
 This pair potential requires the "newton"_newton.html setting to be
 "on" for pair interactions.
 
+The Stillinger-Weber potential files provided with LAMMPS (see the
+potentials directory) are parameterized for metal "units"_units.html.
+You can use the SW potential with any LAMMPS units, but you need to
+create your own SW potential file if your simulation doesn't use
+"metal" units.
+
 [Related commands:]
 
 "pair_coeff"_pair_coeff.html
diff --git a/doc/pair_tersoff.html b/doc/pair_tersoff.html
index cb9fdc7d38..b60f359447 100644
--- a/doc/pair_tersoff.html
+++ b/doc/pair_tersoff.html
@@ -118,6 +118,12 @@ are not used for anything and can be set to 0.0 if desired.
 <P>This pair potential requires the <A HREF = "newton.html">newton</A> setting to be
 "on" for pair interactions.
 </P>
+<P>The Tersoff potential files provided with LAMMPS (see the potentials
+directory) are parameterized for metal <A HREF = "units.html">units</A>.  You can
+use the Tersoff potential with any LAMMPS units, but you need to
+create your own Tersoff potential file if your simulation doesn't use
+"metal" units.
+</P>
 <P><B>Related commands:</B>
 </P>
 <P><A HREF = "pair_coeff.html">pair_coeff</A>
diff --git a/doc/pair_tersoff.txt b/doc/pair_tersoff.txt
index 874280a186..ad6328498a 100644
--- a/doc/pair_tersoff.txt
+++ b/doc/pair_tersoff.txt
@@ -115,6 +115,12 @@ are not used for anything and can be set to 0.0 if desired.
 This pair potential requires the "newton"_newton.html setting to be
 "on" for pair interactions.
 
+The Tersoff potential files provided with LAMMPS (see the potentials
+directory) are parameterized for metal "units"_units.html.  You can
+use the Tersoff potential with any LAMMPS units, but you need to
+create your own Tersoff potential file if your simulation doesn't use
+"metal" units.
+
 [Related commands:]
 
 "pair_coeff"_pair_coeff.html