Convert Femtometer to Nanometer
Convert femtometers to nanometers instantly. 1 femtometer = 1e-6 nanometer — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Nanometer to Femtometer converter for the reverse conversion.
Units explained
Femtometer
A femtometer is a metric unit of length equal to one quadrillionth of a meter (1×10⁻¹⁵ m). It is the standard unit for measuring sub-atomic dimensions, particularly the size of atomic nuclei. The femtometer is also known historically as the fermi.
The femtometer was defined using the SI prefix femto- (from Danish femten, meaning fifteen), adopted by the CGPM in 1964 to denote one quadrillionth. The synonymous name fermi was named after Italian physicist Enrico Fermi.
Femtometers are used to express the size of atomic nuclei (typically 1–10 fm in diameter), the range of strong nuclear forces, and characteristic dimensions in particle physics. The proton charge radius is approximately 0.84 fm.
SI prefix femto- adopted in 1964; the unit became standard in nuclear physics through the late 20th century. The name fermi (after Enrico Fermi) was used informally from the 1950s but officially superseded by femtometer.
Nanometer
A nanometer is a metric unit of length equal to one billionth of a meter (1×10⁻⁹ m). It is the standard unit for measuring atomic and molecular dimensions and is widely used in physics, chemistry, and electronics.
Defined using the SI prefix nano- (from Greek nanos, "dwarf") to denote one-billionth, adopted by the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) in 1960.
Nanometers are used to measure wavelengths of visible light (400–700 nm), semiconductor transistor sizes (currently 3–5 nm process nodes), DNA double helix width (2 nm), and atomic radii. The 2019 SI redefinition fixed the meter to the speed of light, making nanometer definitions exact to atomic precision.
SI prefix nano- adopted by the CGPM in 1960; nanometer became the standard unit for nanotechnology and optical wavelengths during the late 20th century.
Femtometer to Nanometer conversion formula
The relationship between femtometers and nanometers:
To convert femtometers to nanometers, multiply the value in femtometers by 1e-6. To reverse, multiply nanometers by 1000000.
How to use this converter
Type a value into the calculator. The result in nanometers updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Nanometer to Femtometer converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert femtometers to nanometers
- Write down the value in femtometers (fm).
- Multiply that value by the factor 1e-6.
- The product is the equivalent value in nanometers (nm).
- To reverse, multiply the nanometer value by 1000000.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 fm to nm:
1 × 1e-6 = 1e-6 nm
Example 2 — Convert 100 fm to nm:
100 × 1e-6 = 1e-4 nm
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 femtometers can be re-expressed in nanometers for direct comparison with another instrument's calibration data sheet.
800 fm × 1e-6 = 0.0008 nm
Real-world example — Molecular dimensions
The diameter of small molecular structures (around 2 femtometers) is often converted into related sub-micron units when comparing measurements across different microscopy techniques or imaging modalities.
2 fm × 1e-6 = 2e-6 nm
Femtometer to Nanometer conversion table
Standard reference values for converting femtometers to nanometers:
| Femtometer [fm] | Nanometer [nm] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 1e-8 |
| 0.1 | 1e-7 |
| 1 | 1e-6 |
| 2 | 2e-6 |
| 3 | 3e-6 |
| 4 | 4e-6 |
| 5 | 5e-6 |
| 10 | 1e-5 |
| 20 | 2e-5 |
| 30 | 3e-5 |
| 40 | 4e-5 |
| 50 | 5e-5 |
| 100 | 1e-4 |
| 500 | 0.0005 |
| 1000 | 0.001 |
Frequently asked questions
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Sources & references
Conversion factor (1 fm = 1e-6 nm) 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.