How to Convert Nanometres to Metres (nm to m)
Length conversions come up when reading overseas furniture specs, cycling the Round Island Route in kilometres while a foreign app shows miles, or checking marine distances in the Singapore Strait in nautical miles. This guide shows how to convert nanometres into metres by hand, with examples and a quick-reference table.
The conversion
To convert nanometres to metres, multiply the value by 1.000000e-09. To go the other way, divide by the same number (or multiply by 999,999,999.9999998808). Because the factor is tiny, scientific notation keeps the numbers manageable.
Metres = nanometres × 1.000000e-09
Worked examples
- 3 nm = 3.000000e-9 m
- 12.5 nm = 1.250000e-8 m
- 75 nm = 7.500000e-8 m
Nanometres to Metres table
| Nanometres | Metres |
|---|---|
| 1 nm | 1.000000e-9 m |
| 2 nm | 2.000000e-9 m |
| 5 nm | 5.000000e-9 m |
| 10 nm | 1.000000e-8 m |
| 20 nm | 2.000000e-8 m |
| 25 nm | 2.500000e-8 m |
| 50 nm | 5.000000e-8 m |
| 100 nm | 1.000000e-7 m |
| 250 nm | 2.500000e-7 m |
| 500 nm | 5.000000e-7 m |
| 1,000 nm | 1.000000e-6 m |
Common questions
Is nm to m exact?
The factors used here are the internationally defined values where they exist; results are rounded for display only.
How do I convert back?
Use the Metres to Nanometres converter.
Mistakes to avoid
Rounding the factor too early
Using 3 instead of 3.28 for feet per metre introduces an error of almost 9% before you have started.
Mixing similar-sounding units
US and imperial gallons, pints and tons are different sizes, and decimal kilobytes differ from binary kibibytes.
Dropping the units
A bare number without a unit is easy to misread later. Always write the unit with the result.
Background
A conversion table is handy for common values, but a calculator is faster and avoids interpolation errors for anything in between.
Writing the units next to every number while you work is the simplest way to avoid mistakes. If the units do not cancel to leave the one you want, the calculation is set up wrongly.
For everyday use, three or four significant figures are usually enough. Engineering, science and trade documents may need more, and rounding should happen only at the end of a calculation.
For any value, use the Nanometres to Metres Converter or browse all length converters.
Run your own numbers: Nanometres to Metres Converter