Nanometers to Meters
Type a value in either box to convert between nanometers and meters. The factor is 1e-09.
| Nanometers | Meters |
|---|---|
| 1 nm | 1e-09 m |
| 2 nm | 2e-09 m |
| 3 nm | 3e-09 m |
| 5 nm | 5e-09 m |
| 10 nm | 1e-08 m |
| 25 nm | 2.5e-08 m |
| 50 nm | 5e-08 m |
| 100 nm | 1e-07 m |
How to use
- Enter a value in the Nanometers field.
- The Meters figure appears immediately — no button to press.
- Typing in the Meters field converts back to Nanometers the same way.
- Use the reference table for the values that come up most often.
Nanometers to Meters formula
The factor from nanometers to meters is 1e-09.
m = nm × 1e-09
Why this factor: the nanometer and the meter are both defined against the meter, so dividing one definition by the other gives 1e-09 directly. Both definitions are set out in full below.
To go the other way, divide by 1e-09 — or use the Meters to Nanometers converter, which is the same calculation reversed.
Worked example
Take 12 nm and multiply by the factor 1e-09: the result is 1.2e-08 m.
12 nm × 1e-09 = 1.2e-08 m
The converter above does this for any value you type, in either direction.
What is a nanometer?
A nanometer is one billionth of a meter — the scale of molecules and visible light wavelengths.
Definition: Exactly 1×10⁻⁹ meter by SI prefix definition.
Where it is used: Semiconductor process nodes, optical coatings, and wavelengths (visible light is roughly 380–750 nm).
What is a meter?
The meter is the SI base unit of length — the reference every other length unit is now defined against.
Definition: Since 1983 the meter has been defined by fixing the speed of light in vacuum at exactly 299,792,458 meters per second, so a meter is the distance light travels in 1/299,792,458 of a second.
Where it is used: Universal in science, engineering and everyday measurement everywhere except the United States.
Nanometers vs Meters
The nanometer is a metric unit while the meter is an SI unit. That is why the factor between them is not a round number: the two systems were defined independently and only later tied together by exact agreement.
Frequently asked questions
How many meters are in a nanometer?
One nanometer equals 1e-09 meters.
What is the formula to convert nanometers to meters?
Multiply the number of nanometers by 1e-09. To reverse it, divide by 1e-09 instead.
How do I convert meters back to nanometers?
Divide by 1e-09, which is the same as multiplying by 1e+09.
How many meters are in 10 nanometers?
10 nm works out to 1e-08 m.
How is the nanometer defined?
Exactly 1×10⁻⁹ meter by SI prefix definition.