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Gigawatts to Microwatts Converter

Enter the power in gigawatts below to convert it to microwatts.

Convert Gigawatts to Microwatts

Enter a value in gigawatts (GW) to convert to microwatts (µW).

Result
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5e+15microwatts
5 GW = 5e+15 µW
Result updates automatically
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Suggested Conversions
Reference:NIST SP 811 (NIST SP 811 App. B.9 (Power & Radiant Flux))
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Gigawatt to Microwatt Conversion Table

Table showing various gigawatt measurements converted to microwatts. Click any preset value or arrow to load it into the converter.

Gigawatts (GW)Microwatts (µW)
0.0000001 GW100,000,000 µW
0.0000002 GW200,000,000 µW
0.0000003 GW300,000,000 µW
0.0000004 GW400,000,000 µW
0.0000005 GW500,000,000 µW
0.0000006 GW600,000,000 µW
0.0000007 GW700,000,000 µW
0.0000008 GW800,000,000 µW
0.0000009 GW900,000,000 µW
0.00000001 GW10,000,000 µW

How to Convert Gigawatts to Microwatts

To convert gigawatts to microwatts, multiply the power by the following conversion ratio: 1e+15 microwatts/gigawatt.

Since one gigawatt is equal to 1e+15 microwatts, you can use this simple formula to convert:

microwatts = gigawatts × 1e+15

The power in microwatts is equal to the power in gigawatts multiplied by 1e+15.

For example, here's how to convert 5 gigawatts to microwatts using the formula above.

microwatts = (5 GW × 1e+15) = 5e+15 µW

How Many Microwatts Are in a Gigawatt?

There are 1e+15 microwatts in a gigawatt, which is why we use this value in the formula above.

1 GW = 1e+15 µW|1 µW = 1e-15 GW

Our gigawatt to microwatt calculator automatically converts your power measurements with full decimal and scientific precision across US customary, imperial, and SI metric standards.

Gigawatts and microwatts are both units used to measure power. Keep reading to learn more about each unit.

What Is a Gigawatt?

A gigawatt is a unit of power equal to 1,000,000,000 watts (W), the base unit for power. Equal to 1,000,000,000 Watts (1,000 MW). [1]

The gigawatt is classified as an International System of Units (SI) unit of power. Gigawatts can be abbreviated as GW; for example, 1 gigawatt can be written as 1 GW.

In the metric system, "giga" is the standard SI prefix for billions, or 10⁹. This makes the gigawatt (GW) a convenient decimal multiple of the watt (W).

In practice, gigawatts (GW) are widely used across large-scale industrial, bulk, and macro-level power specifications within International System of Units (SI) workflows, engineering documentation, and technical data sheets.

What Is a Microwatt?

A microwatt is a unit of power equal to 1/1,000,000 of a watt (0.000001 W). One-millionth of a Watt. [2]

The microwatt is classified as a metric and SI-compatible unit of power. Microwatts can be abbreviated as µW; for example, 1 microwatt can be written as 1 µW.

In the metric system, "micro" is the standard SI prefix for millionths, or 10⁻⁶. This makes the microwatt (µW) a convenient decimal multiple of the watt (W).

In practice, microwatts (µW) are widely used across fine-tolerance laboratory, analytical, and micro-scale power measurements within SI metric workflows, engineering documentation, and technical data sheets.

When converting power between gigawatts (GW) and microwatts (µW), keep full floating-point precision (1 GW = 1e+15 µW; 1 µW = 1e-15 GW) during intermediate calculations and round only the final microwatt figure to match your instrument tolerance.

More Gigawatt & Microwatt Conversions

Need to calculate in the opposite direction? Use our microwatts to gigawatts calculator to switch your starting unit immediately. You can also explore related tools such as converting microwatts to gigawatts, converting watts to horsepower (hp), or converting horsepower (hp) to watts.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 1.000000e+15 microwatts (µW) in 1 gigawatt (GW). Conversely, 1 microwatt (µW) is equal to 1.000000e-15 gigawatts (GW).

References

NIST · BIPM · ISO
  1. [1]
    NIST SP 811 (NIST SP 811 App. B.9 (Power & Radiant Flux))·Power Metrology Standard — Gigawatts (GW) to Microwatts (µW)
    NIST SP 811 Standard
  2. [2]
    NIST CUU (Derived SI Unit: Watt (W))·Unit Specifications: Gigawatt (GW) & Microwatt (µW)
    NIST CUU Specification
  3. [3]
    BIPM (SI Brochure (9th Ed.) — Power)·Conversion Factors & Mathematical Basis (GW to µW)
    BIPM Reference
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