Micrometers to Nanometers Converter
Enter the length in micrometers below to convert it to nanometers.
Convert Micrometers to Nanometers
Enter a value in micrometers (µm) to convert to nanometers (nm).
Micrometers to Nanometers Conversion Chart (1–40 Continuous)
Continuous 1 to 40 micrometers lookup table with exact decimals and reduced nearest 1/64 fractions. Highlighted rows mark common shop and ruler values.
| Micrometers (µm) | Decimal (nm) | Fraction — Nearest 1/64 (Reduced) | Nearest 1/16 (Tape) |
|---|---|---|---|
1 µm★ Common | 1,000 nm | 1000 nm | 1000 nm |
2 µm★ Common | 2,000 nm | 2000 nm | 2000 nm |
3 µm★ Common | 3,000 nm | 3000 nm | 3000 nm |
4 µm | 4,000 nm | 4000 nm | 4000 nm |
5 µm★ Common | 5,000 nm | 5000 nm | 5000 nm |
6 µm★ Common | 6,000 nm | 6000 nm | 6000 nm |
7 µm | 7,000 nm | 7000 nm | 7000 nm |
8 µm★ Common | 8,000 nm | 8000 nm | 8000 nm |
9 µm | 9,000 nm | 9000 nm | 9000 nm |
10 µm★ Common | 10,000 nm | 10000 nm | 10000 nm |
11 µm | 11,000 nm | 11000 nm | 11000 nm |
12 µm★ Common | 12,000 nm | 12000 nm | 12000 nm |
How to Convert Micrometers to Nanometers
To convert micrometers to nanometers, multiply the length by the following conversion ratio: 1,000 nanometers/micrometer.
Since one micrometer is equal to 1,000 nanometers, you can use this simple formula to convert:
The length in nanometers is equal to the length in micrometers multiplied by 1,000.
For example, here's how to convert 5 micrometers to nanometers using the formula above.
How Many Nanometers Are in a Micrometer?
There are 1,000 nanometers in a micrometer, which is why we use this value in the formula above.
Our micrometer fraction and decimal calculator can convert micrometers and nanometers, and it automatically converts the results to US customary, imperial, and SI metric values.
Micrometers and nanometers are both units used to measure length. Keep reading to learn more about each unit.
How to Convert Micrometers 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 0.000197 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 micrometers (µm) into fractional inches:
- Find the decimal inches result: Convert 5 µm to inches to get 0.000197 in.
- Separate the whole inches from the decimal part: Keep the whole number 0 aside, leaving the decimal remainder 0.000197.
- Multiply the decimal part by your desired fraction denominator (16, 32, or 64) and round half up: Multiply 0.000197 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 Micrometer?
A micrometer is a unit of length equal to 1/1,000,000 of a meter (0.000001 m). One millionth of a meter (10⁻⁶ m), also known as a micron. [1]
The micrometer is classified as a metric and SI-compatible unit of length. Micrometers can be abbreviated as µm; for example, 1 micrometer can be written as 1 µm.
In the metric system, "micro" is the standard SI prefix for millionths, or 10⁻⁶. This makes the micrometer (µm) a convenient decimal multiple of the meter (m).
In practice, micrometers (µm) are widely used across fine-tolerance laboratory, analytical, and micro-scale length measurements within SI metric workflows, engineering documentation, and technical data sheets.
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 micrometers (µm) and nanometers (nm), keep full floating-point precision (1 µm = 1,000 nm; 1 nm = 0.001 µm) during intermediate calculations and round only the final nanometer figure to match your instrument tolerance.
More Micrometer & Nanometer Conversions
Need to calculate in the opposite direction? Use our nanometers to micrometers calculator to switch your starting unit immediately. You can also explore related tools such as converting nanometers to micrometers, converting inches to nanometers, or converting meters to nanometers.
Convert from Micrometers
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- [1]NIST OWM StandardNIST OWM (SI Units — Length)·Length Metrology Standard — Micrometers (µm) to Nanometers (nm)
- [2]BIPM SpecificationBIPM (SI Base Unit: Metre (m))·Unit Specifications: Micrometer (Micron) (µm) & Nanometer (nm)
- [3]NIST HB 133 ReferenceNIST HB 133 (NIST Handbook 133 (2019 Ed.))·Conversion Factors & Mathematical Basis (µm to nm)