nm to m Converter
Created by: Liam Turner
Last updated:
To convert nanometers to meters, multiply by 10⁻⁹ (divide by one billion). 400 nm is 4 × 10⁻⁷ m, or 0.0000004 m, and 650 nm is 6.5 × 10⁻⁷ m. The converter below works in both directions and shows each answer in scientific notation and as a plain decimal.
nm to m Converter
Conversion1 nm = 0.000000001 m. Switch direction to convert meters to nanometers.
Nanometers to meters chart
m = nm × 10⁻⁹. Visible light runs from about 380 nm (violet) to 750 nm (red).
| Nanometers | Meters (scientific) | Meters (decimal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 nm | 1 × 10⁻⁹ m | 0.000000001 m |
| 10 nm | 1 × 10⁻⁸ m | 0.00000001 m |
| 100 nm | 1 × 10⁻⁷ m | 0.0000001 m |
| 200 nm | 2 × 10⁻⁷ m | 0.0000002 m |
| 380 nm | 3.8 × 10⁻⁷ m | 0.00000038 m |
| 400 nm | 4 × 10⁻⁷ m | 0.0000004 m |
| 450 nm | 4.5 × 10⁻⁷ m | 0.00000045 m |
| 500 nm | 5 × 10⁻⁷ m | 0.0000005 m |
| 550 nm | 5.5 × 10⁻⁷ m | 0.00000055 m |
| 600 nm | 6 × 10⁻⁷ m | 0.0000006 m |
| 630 nm | 6.3 × 10⁻⁷ m | 0.00000063 m |
| 650 nm | 6.5 × 10⁻⁷ m | 0.00000065 m |
| 700 nm | 7 × 10⁻⁷ m | 0.0000007 m |
| 750 nm | 7.5 × 10⁻⁷ m | 0.00000075 m |
| 780 nm | 7.8 × 10⁻⁷ m | 0.00000078 m |
| 1,000 nm | 1 × 10⁻⁶ m | 0.000001 m |
| 10,000 nm | 1 × 10⁻⁵ m | 0.00001 m |
| 1,000,000 nm | 1 × 10⁻³ m | 0.001 m |
How to convert nanometers to meters
m = nm × 10⁻⁹
nm = m × 10⁹
In scientific notation, keep the number and add −9 to the power of ten: 630 nm = 630 × 10⁻⁹ m = 6.3 × 10⁻⁷ m. In decimal form, move the decimal point nine places to the left.
Common lengths in nanometers
- A DNA double helix: about 2 nm wide.
- Visible light: about 380 to 750 nm.
- A red laser pointer: about 630 to 650 nm.
- A human hair: roughly 50,000 to 100,000 nm thick.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert nm to m?
Multiply nanometers by 10⁻⁹, which is the same as dividing by 1,000,000,000. 400 nm × 10⁻⁹ = 4 × 10⁻⁷ m, or 0.0000004 m.
How many nanometers are in a meter?
One meter is 1,000,000,000 nanometers (10⁹ nm). The prefix "nano" means one billionth.
What is 400 nm in meters?
400 nm is 4.0 × 10⁻⁷ m, written in full as 0.0000004 m. It is roughly the violet edge of visible light.
How do I convert nm to m in a chemistry problem?
Wavelength formulas such as c = λν and E = hc/λ need λ in meters. Multiply the wavelength in nm by 10⁻⁹. Light at 500 nm is 5.00 × 10⁻⁷ m, so its frequency is (3.00 × 10⁸) ÷ (5.00 × 10⁻⁷) = 6.00 × 10¹⁴ Hz.
How do I convert meters to nanometers?
Multiply meters by 10⁹. 6.5 × 10⁻⁷ m × 10⁹ = 650 nm.
Sources and References
- NIST: Metric (SI) prefixes. Nano means 10⁻⁹.