How this calculator works
The SI prefix nano means one billionth, so 1 nm equals exactly 10^-9 m. Divide a nanometre value by one billion to express it in metres. The conversion readout and table use exponent notation when necessary to keep tiny non-zero lengths readable.
Formula
m = nm / 1000000000; nm = m x 1000000000.
Worked example
A 532 nm wavelength is 0.000000532 m, written 5.32e-7 m. A length of 0.0000025 m is 2500 nm.
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Frequently asked questions
How many nanometres are in one metre?
Exactly one billion.
Is 1 nm equal to 10^-6 m?
No. That is one micrometre, or 1000 nm. One nanometre is 10^-9 m.
Does it convert nanometres squared?
No. This page converts lengths; areas and volumes require squared or cubed factors.