Convert Square Nanometer to Square Attometer
Convert square nanometers to square attometers instantly. 1 square nanometer = 1e+18 square attometer — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Square Attometer to Square Nanometer converter for the reverse conversion.
Units explained
Square Nanometer
A square nanometer is a metric unit of area equal to 10⁻¹⁸ m² (1 nm × 1 nm). It is the standard unit in nanotechnology and surface science for expressing the area of nanoscale structures.
Derived by squaring the nanometer (10⁻⁹ m). The nano- prefix comes from the Greek 'nanos' (dwarf).
Square nanometers are used to express the surface area of nanoparticles, the footprint of single molecules adsorbed on surfaces, and the active area of nanoscale electronic devices.
Nanometer adopted into SI in 1960; widespread use in nanotechnology grew through the 1990s and 2000s.
Square Attometer
A square attometer is a metric unit of area equal to 10⁻³⁶ m². It is used in theoretical particle physics when discussing cross-sections at the sub-femtometer scale.
Derived by squaring the attometer (10⁻¹⁸ m). The atto- prefix was adopted by the CGPM in 1964 from the Danish 'atten' (eighteen), denoting 10⁻¹⁸.
Square attometers can appear in particle physics literature comparing extremely small interaction cross-sections, though more often barns (10⁻²⁸ m²) are used at this scale.
SI prefix atto- adopted in 1964; remains a defined unit, rarely used in practice.
Square Nanometer to Square Attometer conversion formula
The relationship between square nanometers and square attometers:
To convert square nanometers to square attometers, multiply the value in square nanometers by 1e+18. To reverse, multiply square attometers by 1e-18.
How to use this converter
Type a value into the calculator. The result in square attometers updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Square Attometer to Square Nanometer converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert square nanometers to square attometers
- Write down the value in square nanometers (nm²).
- Multiply that value by the factor 1e+18.
- The product is the equivalent value in square attometers (am²).
- To reverse, multiply the square attometer value by 1e-18.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 nm² to am²:
1 × 1e+18 = 1e+18 am²
Example 2 — Convert 100 nm² to am²:
100 × 1e+18 = 1e+20 am²
Real-world example — Wavelengths across the spectrum
Optical and atomic-scale phenomena are routinely cross-converted between sub-micron units. A photon of wavelength 800 square nanometers can be re-expressed in square attometers for direct comparison with another instrument's calibration data sheet.
800 nm² × 1e+18 = 8e+20 am²
Real-world example — Molecular dimensions
The diameter of small molecular structures (around 2 square nanometers) is often converted into related sub-micron units when comparing measurements across different microscopy techniques or imaging modalities.
2 nm² × 1e+18 = 2e+18 am²
Square Nanometer to Square Attometer conversion table
Standard reference values for converting square nanometers to square attometers:
| Square Nanometer [nm²] | Square Attometer [am²] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 1e+16 |
| 0.1 | 1e+17 |
| 1 | 1e+18 |
| 2 | 2e+18 |
| 3 | 3e+18 |
| 4 | 4e+18 |
| 5 | 5e+18 |
| 10 | 1e+19 |
| 20 | 2e+19 |
| 30 | 3e+19 |
| 40 | 4e+19 |
| 50 | 5e+19 |
| 100 | 1e+20 |
| 500 | 5e+20 |
| 1000 | 1e+21 |
Frequently asked questions
How many square attometers is 1 square nanometer?
How do I convert square nanometers to square attometers?
How do I convert square attometers back to square nanometers?
How many square attometers is 100 square nanometers?
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Metric / SI (15 units)
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Sources & references
Conversion factor (1 nm² = 1e+18 am²) verified against the following authoritative sources:
- BIPM — The International System of Units (SI Brochure 9th ed.)
Official BIPM publication defining the seven SI base units (including the meter) and the rules for their use. The global authority on units of measurement.
- NIST — Guide to the SI
US National Institute of Standards and Technology reference covering the SI base and derived units with definitions and usage rules for US technical practice.
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units
Detailed NIST guide covering exact conversion factors between SI and US customary units along with formatting and rounding conventions.
- NIST — Refinement of values for the yard and pound (Federal Register 1959)
The treaty (signed by US
- International Hydrographic Organization — Resolution on the Nautical Mile
International authority that standardised the nautical mile at exactly 1852 m in 1929 — the value adopted worldwide for sea and air navigation.