Angstrom to nanometer calculator

Enter a value in either field to convert instantly.

Angstrom

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Nanometer

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1 nm = 10 Å

How it works?

This calculator bridges the gap between atomic-scale measurements (Angstroms) and optical-scale measurements (Nanometers). The relationship is a simple decimal shift, as both are metric subdivisions of the meter.

$$ 1 \text{ Å} = 0.1 \text{ nm} $$ Or conversely $$ 1 \text{ nm} = 10 \text{ Å} $$

Units Defined:

Å (Angstrom): $10^{-10}$ meters. Commonly used in crystallography and atomic physics to measure bond lengths.
nm (Nanometer): $10^{-9}$ meters. The standard unit for describing light wavelengths in photonics and spectroscopy.

Why convert between Angstroms and Nanometers?

The Angstrom (Å) and the Nanometer (nm) are the two primary languages of the nanoscale world. While Nanometers are the official SI standard for nanotechnology and biology, Angstroms remain the preferred unit in crystallography, atomic physics, and spectroscopy because they map perfectly to the size of atoms (approx. 1 Å).

Quick Reference Table

Common length scales in physics, biology, and semiconductor manufacturing.

Scale / Object	Angstroms (Å)	Nanometers (nm)
Hydrogen Atom Diameter	~1.0 Å	0.1 nm
Water Molecule (H₂O)	~2.8 Å	0.28 nm
DNA Helix Width	20 Å	2.0 nm
Conversion Factor	10 Å	1.0 nm
Extreme UV (EUV) Light	135 Å	13.5 nm
Transistor Gate (Modern CPU)	~20-50 Å	2-5 nm
Visible Light (Green)	5,320 Å	532 nm
Red Blood Cell	70,000 Å	7,000 nm

Why this conversion is indispensable

1. Semiconductor Manufacturing

Modern processors are defined by nodes like "3nm" or "2nm." However, the actual atomic layers (like gate oxides) are often just a few Angstroms thick. Accurate conversion is critical when moving between marketing specs (nm) and fabrication recipes (Å).

2. X-Ray Crystallography

When determining the 3D structure of proteins or crystals, resolution is always cited in Angstroms (e.g., "1.5 Å resolution"). This precision tells you if you can distinguish individual atoms, which is awkward to express as "0.15 nm."

3. Spectroscopy & Lasers

Older literature and many spectral databases list wavelengths in Angstroms (e.g., the strong Argon laser line at 4880 Å). Modern laser safety and specifications use Nanometers (488 nm). You need to be fluent in both.

4. Structural Biology

Biologists work in nanometers for cell organelles but switch to Angstroms when looking at molecular bonds. The transition happens constantly when zooming from a cell (μm) to a ribosome (nm) to a peptide bond (Å).

Deep Dive Article Angstrom vs. Nanometer: When to use which? Explore the history of Anders Ångström, SI standardization, and why physicists refuse to let the Angstrom die.

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