Micrometer (µm)
One millionth of a meter.
What is a micrometer?
- Symbol
- µm
- Quantity
- Length
- Unit system
- SI
- Definition
- One millionth of a meter.
- Exact
- Yes, the value is exact by definition
- Source
- SI Brochure, 9th edition (BIPM, 2019)
Common applications
Used for the size of cells, bacteria, fibers and dust particles, and for machining tolerances. Also called a micron.
Micrometer in other length units
- 1 µm = 1000 nmNanometer
- 1 µm = 0.001 mmMillimeter
- 1 µm = 0.0001 cmCentimeter
- 1 µm = 0.000001 mMeter
- 1 µm = 1e-9 kmKilometer
- 1 µm = 10000 ÅÅngström
- 1 µm ≈ 0.03937007874 milMil (thou)
- 1 µm ≈ 0.00003937007874 inInch
- 1 µm ≈ 0.000003280839895 ftFoot
- 1 µm ≈ 0.000001093613298 ydYard
- 1 µm ≈ 6.213711922e-10 miMile
- 1 µm ≈ 5.399568035e-10 nmiNautical mile
Micrometer quick reference
| Micrometer | Meter | Foot | Nanometer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 µm | = 0.000001 m | ≈ 0.000003280839895 ft | = 1000 nm |
| 10 µm | = 0.00001 m | ≈ 0.00003280839895 ft | = 10000 nm |
| 100 µm | = 0.0001 m | ≈ 0.0003280839895 ft | = 100000 nm |
| 1000 µm | = 0.001 m | ≈ 0.003280839895 ft | = 1000000 nm |
Where the micrometer fits
The next smaller length unit is the nanometer (nm). 1 µm = 1000 nm, and 1 nm = 0.001 µm.
The next larger length unit is the mil (mil). 1 µm ≈ 0.03937007874 mil, and 1 mil = 25.4 µm.
Frequently asked questions
- How many meters are in one micrometer?
- One micrometer = 0.000001 m (meters).
- How many feet are in one micrometer?
- One micrometer ≈ 0.000003280839895 ft (feet).
- How many nanometers are in one micrometer?
- One micrometer = 1000 nm (nanometers).