Convert Micron to Gigameter
Convert microns to gigameters instantly. 1 micron = 1e-15 gigameter — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Gigameter to Micron converter for the reverse conversion.
Units explained
Micron
A micron is a deprecated synonym for the micrometer (1×10⁻⁶ m). Although officially obsolete since 1967, the term remains in widespread informal use in microscopy, biology, materials science, and industrial filtration.
The term micron was coined in 1879 by the BIPM as a unit name for one millionth of a meter. It was officially deprecated in 1967 in favor of the SI-compliant name micrometer to avoid confusion with the device (also called a micrometer) used for precise mechanical measurement.
Microns are used informally in filtration ratings (e.g., a 5-micron water filter), industrial coatings, microscopy specifications, and pharmaceutical particle-size descriptions. The conversion to micrometers is exact: 1 micron = 1 µm = 1×10⁻⁶ m.
Introduced in 1879, deprecated by the BIPM in 1967, but retained in informal industrial and scientific usage well into the 21st century.
Gigameter
A gigameter is a metric unit of length equal to one billion meters (1×10⁹ m). It is most often used in astronomy and astrophysics when expressing distances within the inner solar system.
The gigameter uses the SI prefix giga- (from Greek gigas, giant), adopted by the CGPM in 1960 to denote multiplication by one billion (10⁹).
Gigameters are used to express distances such as the Sun's diameter (~1.39 Gm), the Earth–Moon distance (~0.384 Gm), and similar inner-solar-system scales. Astronomical units and light-seconds are also common for these distances.
SI prefix giga- adopted in 1960; the gigameter became standard in astronomy for sub-AU distances by the late 20th century.
Micron to Gigameter conversion formula
The relationship between microns and gigameters:
To convert microns to gigameters, multiply the value in microns by 1e-15. To reverse, multiply gigameters by 1e+15.
How to use this converter
Type a value into the calculator. The result in gigameters updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Gigameter to Micron converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert microns to gigameters
- Write down the value in microns (micron).
- Multiply that value by the factor 1e-15.
- The product is the equivalent value in gigameters (Gm).
- To reverse, multiply the gigameter value by 1e+15.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 micron to Gm:
1 × 1e-15 = 1e-15 Gm
Example 2 — Convert 100 micron to Gm:
100 × 1e-15 = 1e-13 Gm
Real-world example — Plastic-film thickness alternates
A 150-micron plastic film converts cleanly to gigameters — useful for packaging buyers reconciling supplier datasheets across metric and US measurement systems.
150 micron × 1e-15 = 1.5e-13 Gm
Real-world example — Hair-width scale measurements
A 70-micron measurement (about the diameter of a human hair) is the kind of value materials engineers regularly express in adjacent micro-scale units like gigameters for direct comparison across supplier datasheets.
70 micron × 1e-15 = 7e-14 Gm
Real-world example — Paper and film thicknesses
At the thickness of office paper (roughly 3 microns), converting between sub-millimeter units is routine for packaging and printing buyers comparing quotes from metric and US suppliers.
3 micron × 1e-15 = 3e-15 Gm
Micron to Gigameter conversion table
Standard reference values for converting microns to gigameters:
| Micron [micron] | Gigameter [Gm] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 1e-17 |
| 0.1 | 1e-16 |
| 1 | 1e-15 |
| 2 | 2e-15 |
| 3 | 3e-15 |
| 4 | 4e-15 |
| 5 | 5e-15 |
| 10 | 1e-14 |
| 20 | 2e-14 |
| 30 | 3e-14 |
| 40 | 4e-14 |
| 50 | 5e-14 |
| 100 | 1e-13 |
| 500 | 5e-13 |
| 1000 | 1e-12 |
Frequently asked questions
How many gigameters is 1 micron?
How do I convert microns to gigameters?
How do I convert gigameters back to microns?
How many gigameters is 100 microns?
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Imperial / US Customary (4 units)
Sources & references
Conversion factor (1 micron = 1e-15 Gm) 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 Astronomical Union — System of Astronomical Constants
The IAU defines astronomical units including the AU (149597870700 m exactly) light-year and parsec used in astronomy and astrophysics.