How to Convert Micrometers to Nanometers

Reviewed by Anne Schmidt

Last Updated: February 26, 2024

Micrometers and nanometers are two metric units of measurement. Both of these units are smaller than a millimeter and are often used in chemistry and biology. Many online calculators can complete a conversion between these two units for you; however, by simply remembering that there are 1,000 nanometers in a micrometer, you can easily make the calculations yourself.

Convert Micrometers to Nanometers

Use this conversion calculator to convert micrometers to nanometers.

Length

=

Formula multiply the length value by 1000

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Converting Micrometers to Nanometers

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/aid1702155-v4-728px-Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Micrometers and nanometers are both units of measurement in the metric system. Nanometers are smaller than micrometers. There are 1,000 nanometers in 1 micrometer.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-2-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-2-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-2-Version-4.jpg\/aid1702155-v4-728px-Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-2-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

2
Determine the number of micrometers you are converting. This information should be given to you. Make sure you are supposed to convert micrometers to nanometers. If you are converting nanometers to micrometers, or between units of measurements other than these two units, you cannot use this method, as your calculations will be different .
- The micrometers might be listed as a whole number, or as a decimal. For example, you might need to convert 7.8 micrometers to nanometers.
Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9c\/Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9c\/Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid1702155-v4-728px-Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

3
Multiply the number of micrometers by 1,000. Since you are converting a larger unit into a smaller unit, you will end up with more units than you started with. ^{[1]
X
Research source} Since there are 1,000 nanometers per 1 micrometer, to find the number of nanometers, multiply by 1,000.
- For example, $7.8\times 1,000=7,800$ .
  So, $7.8\,{\text{micrometers}}=7,800\,{\text{nanometers}}$ .

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Converting Nanometers to Micrometers

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid1702155-v4-728px-Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Both are units of measurement in the metric system. 1 micrometer equals 1,000 nanometers.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/06\/Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/06\/Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid1702155-v4-728px-Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

2
Ensure you are converting nanometers to micrometers. You should be given the number of nanometers you need to convert. If you are using measurements other than nanometers or micrometers, you would use different calculations and thus could not use this method.
- For example, you might need to convert 14,500 nanometers to micrometers.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/85\/Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/85\/Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/aid1702155-v4-728px-Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

3
Divide the number of nanometers by 1,000. When converting a smaller unit into a larger unit, you end up with less units than you started with. Thus, you need to divide. ^{[2]
X
Research source} Since there is 1 micrometer per 1,000 nanometers, to find the number of micrometers, divide by 1,000.
- For example, $14,500\div 1,000=14.5$ .
  So, $14,500\,{\text{nanometers}}=14.5\,{\text{micrometers}}$ .

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Completing Practice Problems

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f6\/Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f6\/Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/aid1702155-v4-728px-Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

1
Try this problem. Convert 18 micrometers into nanometers.
- Since you are converting a larger unit (micrometers) into a smaller unit (nanometers), you should multiply.
- There are 1,000 nanometers in 1 micrometer.
- $18\times 1,000=18,000$
- $18\,{\text{micrometers}}=18,000\,{\text{nanometers}}$ .
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6f\/Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6f\/Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/aid1702155-v4-728px-Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

2
Complete the following conversion. 300 nanometers = ___ micrometers.
- Since you are converting a smaller unit (nanometers) into a larger unit (micrometer), you should divide.
- There is 1 micrometer per 1,000 nanometers.
- $300\div 1,000=0.3$
- $300\,{\text{nanometers}}=0.3\,{\text{micrometers}}$ .
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/20\/Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/20\/Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/aid1702155-v4-728px-Convert-Micrometers-to-Nanometers-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

3
Analyze the following conversion: 3.8 __ = 3,800 __. Determine which value is stated in micrometers, and which value is stated in nanometers.
- There are 1,000 nanometers in 1 micrometer.
- Micrometers are larger than nanometers. This means a smaller number of micrometers will equal a larger number of nanometers.
- $3.8\times 1,000=3,800$
- $3.8\,{\text{micrometers}}=3,800\,{\text{nanometers}}$

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do I convert nanometers to micrometers?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Divide nm by 1,000.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 3
Question

What is the ratio of micrometers to nanometers?

Donagan

Top Answerer

As explained above, there are 1,000 nanometers in one micrometer. So in any given length, the ratio of micrometers to nanometers is 1:1000.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

You Might Also Like

[1]

[2]

Log in

How to Convert Micrometers to Nanometers

Convert Micrometers to Nanometers

Steps

Converting Micrometers to Nanometers

Converting Nanometers to Micrometers

Completing Practice Problems

Community Q&A

Tips

You Might Also Like

Expert Interview

References

About This Article

Did this article help you?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Explore Categories