Centimeters to Nanometers Converter
Enter the length in centimeters below to convert it to nanometers.
Convert Centimeters to Nanometers
Enter a value in centimeters (cm) to convert to nanometers (nm).
Centimeters to Nanometers Conversion Chart (1–40 Continuous)
Continuous 1 to 40 centimeters lookup table with exact decimals and reduced nearest 1/64 fractions. Highlighted rows mark common shop and ruler values.
| Centimeters (cm) | Decimal (nm) | Fraction — Nearest 1/64 (Reduced) | Nearest 1/16 (Tape) |
|---|---|---|---|
1 cm★ Common | 10,000,000 nm | 10000000 nm | 10000000 nm |
2 cm★ Common | 20,000,000 nm | 20000000 nm | 20000000 nm |
3 cm★ Common | 30,000,000 nm | 30000000 nm | 30000000 nm |
4 cm | 40,000,000 nm | 40000000 nm | 40000000 nm |
5 cm★ Common | 50,000,000 nm | 50000000 nm | 50000000 nm |
6 cm★ Common | 60,000,000 nm | 60000000 nm | 60000000 nm |
7 cm | 70,000,000 nm | 70000000 nm | 70000000 nm |
8 cm★ Common | 80,000,000 nm | 80000000 nm | 80000000 nm |
9 cm | 90,000,000 nm | 90000000 nm | 90000000 nm |
10 cm★ Common | 100,000,000 nm | 100000000 nm | 100000000 nm |
11 cm | 110,000,000 nm | 110000000 nm | 110000000 nm |
12 cm★ Common | 120,000,000 nm | 120000000 nm | 120000000 nm |
How to Convert Centimeters to Nanometers
To convert centimeters to nanometers, multiply the length by the following conversion ratio: 10,000,000 nanometers/centimeter.
Since one centimeter is equal to 10,000,000 nanometers, you can use this simple formula to convert:
The length in nanometers is equal to the length in centimeters multiplied by 10,000,000.
For example, here's how to convert 5 centimeters to nanometers using the formula above.
How Many Nanometers Are in a Centimeter?
There are 10,000,000 nanometers in a centimeter, which is why we use this value in the formula above.
Our centimeter fraction and decimal calculator can convert centimeters and nanometers, and it automatically converts the results to US customary, imperial, and SI metric values.
Centimeters and nanometers are both units used to measure length. Keep reading to learn more about each unit.
How to Convert Centimeters to Fractional Inches (1/16″, 1/32″ & 1/64″)
Plain-language method for turning decimal inches into a standard tape-measure or machinist ruler fraction
Calculators give you a decimal number (such as 1.968504 in), but tape measures and woodworking rulers are marked in binary fractions of an inch—most commonly 1/16″ on carpenter tapes, 1/32″ on fine woodworking rules, and 1/64″ on machinist scales.
Here is the step-by-step worked example for converting 5 centimeters (cm) into fractional inches:
- Find the decimal inches result: Convert 5 cm to inches to get 1.968504 in.
- Separate the whole inches from the decimal part: Keep the whole number 1 aside, leaving the decimal remainder 0.968504.
- Multiply the decimal part by your desired fraction denominator (16, 32, or 64) and round half up: Multiply 0.968504 by 16, 32, or 64, then round to the nearest whole number (values ending in .5 round up).
- Reduce the fraction to lowest terms: If the rounded top number (numerator) is even, divide both top and bottom by 2 (or their Greatest Common Divisor) until the top number is odd, then combine with your whole inches.
What Is a Centimeter?
A centimeter is a metric unit of length equal to one-hundredth (1/100) of a meter, which is the International System of Units (SI) base unit of length. One centimeter is also equal to 10 millimeters or approximately 0.39370079 inches. [1]
The centimeter, or centimetre, is part of the SI metric system used worldwide for everyday, scientific, and clinical measurements. Centimeters can be abbreviated as cm; for example, 1 centimeter can be written as 1 cm.
In the metric system, "centi" is the Latin-derived prefix for hundredths, or 10⁻². Because 1 international inch is legally defined as 2.54 centimeters, converting between centimeters and inches is anchored by an exact mathematical constant.
Centimeters are measured using metric rulers, tailor's measuring tapes, stadiometers (for human height), and vernier calipers across carpentry, apparel sizing, school science, and medical charts.
What Is a Nanometer?
One nanometer is equal to one-billionth (1/1,000,000,000) of a meter, which is defined as the distance light travels in a vacuum in a 1/299,792,458 second time interval. [2]
The nanometer, or nanometre, is a multiple of the meter, the SI base unit for length. In the metric system, "nano" is the prefix for billionths, or 10⁻⁹. Nanometers can be abbreviated as nm; for example, 1 nanometer can be written as 1 nm.
Because 1 inch equals 25.4 millimeters and 1 millimeter equals 1,000,000 nanometers, there are exactly 25,400,000 nanometers in 1 inch (and 10 Angstroms in 1 nanometer).
The nanometer is an extremely small unit of length measurement, often used to measure things that are very small, such as the wavelengths of visible light (400 nm to 700 nm), the transistors and electrical pathways in computer processors, and thin-film nanotechnology.
When converting length between centimeters (cm) and nanometers (nm), keep full floating-point precision (1 cm = 10,000,000 nm; 1 nm = 0.0000001 cm) during intermediate calculations and round only the final nanometer figure to match your instrument tolerance.
More Centimeter & Nanometer Conversions
Need to calculate in the opposite direction? Use our nanometers to centimeters calculator to switch your starting unit immediately. You can also explore related tools such as converting nanometers to centimeters, converting inches to nanometers, or converting meters to nanometers.
Convert from Centimeters
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- [1]NIST OWM StandardNIST OWM (SI Units — Length)·Length Metrology Standard — Centimeters (cm) to Nanometers (nm)
- [2]BIPM SpecificationBIPM (SI Base Unit: Metre (m))·Unit Specifications: Centimeter (cm) & Nanometer (nm)
- [3]NIST HB 133 ReferenceNIST HB 133 (NIST Handbook 133 (2019 Ed.))·Conversion Factors & Mathematical Basis (cm to nm)