Convert Micrometer to Micron
Convert micrometers to microns instantly. 1 micrometer = 1 micron — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Micron to Micrometer converter for the reverse conversion.
Units explained
Micrometer
A micrometer (also called a micron) is a metric unit of length equal to one millionth of a meter (1×10⁻⁶ m). It is the standard unit for measuring microscopic dimensions in biology, materials science, and semiconductor manufacturing.
Defined alongside the meter when France adopted the metric system in 1795, using the SI prefix micro- (from Greek mikros, "small") to denote one-millionth.
Micrometers are used to measure cell sizes, bacteria, semiconductor process nodes, fiber diameters, dust particles, and wavelengths of infrared radiation. The diameter of a human hair is about 70 μm.
Defined in 1795 as part of the original French metric system; the name "micron" was officially deprecated by the BIPM in 1967 in favor of micrometer.
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.
Micrometer to Micron conversion formula
The relationship between micrometers and microns:
To convert micrometers to microns, multiply the value in micrometers by 1. To reverse, multiply microns by 1.
How to use this converter
Type a value into the calculator. The result in microns updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Micron to Micrometer converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert micrometers to microns
- Write down the value in micrometers (μm).
- Multiply that value by the factor 1.
- The product is the equivalent value in microns (micron).
- To reverse, multiply the micron value by 1.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 μm to micron:
1 × 1 = 1 micron
Example 2 — Convert 100 μm to micron:
100 × 1 = 100 micron
Real-world example — Hair-width scale measurements
A 70-micrometer measurement (about the diameter of a human hair) is the kind of value materials engineers regularly express in adjacent micro-scale units like microns for direct comparison across supplier datasheets.
70 μm × 1 = 70 micron
Real-world example — Paper and film thicknesses
At the thickness of office paper (roughly 3 micrometers), converting between sub-millimeter units is routine for packaging and printing buyers comparing quotes from metric and US suppliers.
3 μm × 1 = 3 micron
Real-world example — Plastic-film thickness alternates
A 150-micrometer plastic film converts cleanly to microns — useful for packaging buyers reconciling supplier datasheets across metric and US measurement systems.
150 μm × 1 = 150 micron
Micrometer to Micron conversion table
Standard reference values for converting micrometers to microns:
| Micrometer [μm] | Micron [micron] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 0.01 |
| 0.1 | 0.1 |
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 2 |
| 3 | 3 |
| 4 | 4 |
| 5 | 5 |
| 10 | 10 |
| 20 | 20 |
| 30 | 30 |
| 40 | 40 |
| 50 | 50 |
| 100 | 100 |
| 500 | 500 |
| 1000 | 1000 |
Frequently asked questions
How many microns is 1 micrometer?
How do I convert micrometers to microns?
How do I convert microns back to micrometers?
How many microns is 100 micrometers?
Popular length unit conversions
Convert Micrometer to other length units
Show all Micrometer conversions
Metric / SI (17 units)
Imperial / US Customary (7 units)
Nautical (1 units)
Sources & references
Conversion factor (1 μm = 1 micron) 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.