Convert Micrometer to Nanometer
Convert micrometers to nanometers instantly. 1 micrometer = 1000 nanometer — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Nanometer 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.
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.
Micrometer to Nanometer conversion formula
The relationship between micrometers and nanometers:
To convert micrometers to nanometers, multiply the value in micrometers by 1000. To reverse, multiply nanometers by 0.001.
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 Micrometer converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert micrometers to nanometers
- Write down the value in micrometers (μm).
- Multiply that value by the factor 1000.
- The product is the equivalent value in nanometers (nm).
- To reverse, multiply the nanometer value by 0.001.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 μm to nm:
1 × 1000 = 1000 nm
Example 2 — Convert 100 μm to nm:
100 × 1000 = 100000 nm
Real-world example — Infrared-wavelength notes
10 μm of thermal-infrared wavelength equals 10,000 nm. Thermal-imaging equipment specs in μm; standard wavelength tables in nm — converting μm to nm bridges the two.
10 μm × 1000 = 10000 nm
Real-world example — One micrometer to nanometers
1 μm equals 1,000 nm — the standard conversion for semiconductor designers comparing mask feature sizes (μm) to actual transistor channel lengths (nm).
1 μm × 1000 = 1000 nm
Real-world example — Sub-micron lithography
0.5 μm equals 500 nm — close to the wavelength of visible light, used as a process boundary in semiconductor lithography literature. Converting μm to nm helps engineers compare across generations of fabs.
0.5 μm × 1000 = 500 nm
Micrometer to Nanometer conversion table
Standard reference values for converting micrometers to nanometers:
| Micrometer [μm] | Nanometer [nm] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 10 |
| 0.1 | 100 |
| 1 | 1000 |
| 2 | 2000 |
| 3 | 3000 |
| 4 | 4000 |
| 5 | 5000 |
| 10 | 10000 |
| 20 | 20000 |
| 30 | 30000 |
| 40 | 40000 |
| 50 | 50000 |
| 100 | 100000 |
| 500 | 499999.9999999999 |
| 1000 | 999999.9999999999 |
Frequently asked questions
How many nanometers is 1 micrometer?
How do I convert micrometers to nanometers?
How do I convert nanometers back to micrometers?
How many nanometers 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 = 1000 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 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.