Length · Unit Converter

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.

Written by Sunith Babu L, Ph.D., Lead Engineer Reviewed by Girish V Kulkarni Ph.D.
Length category 2 min read Published Last reviewed Updated

Units explained

Metric / SI

Femtometer

What is a 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.

Origin of the femtometer

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.

Where it is used

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.

When and where it was developed

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 The name fermi (after Enrico Fermi) was used informally from the 1950s but officially superseded by femtometer.

Metric / SI

Nanometer

What is a 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.

Origin of the nanometer

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.

Where it is used

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.

When and where it was developed

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:

1 fm = 1e-6 nm
1 nm = 1000000 fm

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

  1. Write down the value in femtometers (fm).
  2. Multiply that value by the factor 1e-6.
  3. The product is the equivalent value in nanometers (nm).
  4. 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]
0.011e-8
0.11e-7
11e-6
22e-6
33e-6
44e-6
55e-6
101e-5
202e-5
303e-5
404e-5
505e-5
1001e-4
5000.0005
10000.001

Frequently asked questions

How many nanometers is 1 femtometer?
1 femtometer equals 1e-6 nanometer.
How do I convert femtometers to nanometers?
Multiply the value in femtometers by 1e-6 to get nanometers.
How do I convert nanometers back to femtometers?
Multiply the value in nanometers by 1000000, or use the Nanometer to Femtometer converter.
How many nanometers is 100 femtometers?
100 femtometers equals 1e-4 nanometers, because 100 × 1e-6 = 1e-4.

Convert Femtometer to other length units

Show all Femtometer conversions

Sources & references

Conversion factor (1 fm = 1e-6 nm) verified against the following authoritative sources:

Results are provided for general reference. Verify critical measurements against an authoritative standard.