Nanosecond to Microsecond Converter
Convert nanoseconds to microseconds with our free online time converter.
Quick Answer
1 Nanosecond = 0.001 microseconds
Formula: Nanosecond × conversion factor = Microsecond
Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.
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All conversion formulas on UnitsConverter.io have been verified against NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines and international SI standards. Our calculations are accurate to 10 decimal places for standard conversions and use arbitrary precision arithmetic for astronomical units.
Nanosecond to Microsecond Calculator
How to Use the Nanosecond to Microsecond Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Nanosecond).
- The converted value in Microsecond will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Time category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Nanosecond to Microsecond: Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Nanosecond to Microsecond involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Nanosecond = 0.001 microsecondsExample Calculation:
Convert 60 nanoseconds: 60 × 0.001 = 0.06 microseconds
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
Need to convert to other time units?
View all Time conversions →What is a Nanosecond and a Microsecond?
A nanosecond is a unit of time equal to one-billionth (1/1,000,000,000) of a second. It is also 1/1000th of a microsecond.
A microsecond is a unit of time equal to one-millionth (1/1,000,000) of a second. It is also 1/1000th of a millisecond.
Note: The Nanosecond is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Microsecond belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Nanosecond and Microsecond
The nanosecond is derived from the SI base unit, the second, using the metric prefix 'nano-', indicating a factor of 10⁻⁹. Measurements at this timescale became necessary with the development of very high-speed computing, advanced physics, and optical communications.
The microsecond is derived from the SI base unit, the second, using the metric prefix 'micro-', indicating a factor of 10⁻⁶. Its use became prevalent with the advent of electronic computers, radar technology, and high-speed photography.
Common Uses and Applications: nanoseconds vs microseconds
Explore the typical applications for both Nanosecond (imperial/US) and Microsecond (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for nanoseconds
- Computing: Measuring RAM access times, CPU clock cycles (e.g., a 3 GHz processor has a clock cycle of about 0.33 ns), L1/L2 cache access times.
- Physics: Lifetimes of very short-lived particles, timing in nuclear reactions, duration of mode-locked laser pulses.
- Electronics: Signal propagation time on circuit boards and integrated circuits. Light travels approximately 30 centimeters (about 1 foot) in one nanosecond in a vacuum.
- Telecommunications: Timing in optical fiber communications.
- Chemistry: Studying ultrafast chemical reactions using spectroscopy.
When to Use microseconds
- Computing: Measuring instruction execution times in older processors, interrupt latency, bus transfer times.
- Physics: Duration of certain chemical reactions, some nuclear events, timing in particle accelerators.
- Electronics: Defining pulse widths in digital signals, measuring signal delays in circuits.
- Biology: Duration of nerve impulses, time scale for certain enzymatic reactions.
- Everyday: The flash duration of a typical camera strobe is a few microseconds.
Additional Unit Information
About Nanosecond (ns)
How many nanoseconds are in one second?
There are 1,000,000,000 (one billion) nanoseconds in a second.
How many nanoseconds are in one microsecond?
There are 1,000 nanoseconds in a microsecond.
How far does light travel in one nanosecond?
In a vacuum, light travels approximately 29.98 centimeters (about 0.98 feet) in one nanosecond.
About Microsecond (μs)
How many microseconds are in one second?
There are 1,000,000 (one million) microseconds in a second.
How many microseconds are in one millisecond?
There are 1,000 microseconds in a millisecond.
What does the symbol μs mean?
The symbol 'μ' (mu) is the Greek letter used as the metric prefix for micro (10⁻⁶), and 's' stands for second.
Conversion Table: Nanosecond to Microsecond
| Nanosecond (ns) | Microsecond (μs) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.001 |
| 1 | 0.001 |
| 1.5 | 0.002 |
| 2 | 0.002 |
| 5 | 0.005 |
| 10 | 0.01 |
| 25 | 0.025 |
| 50 | 0.05 |
| 100 | 0.1 |
| 250 | 0.25 |
| 500 | 0.5 |
| 1,000 | 1 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Nanosecond to Microsecond?
To convert Nanosecond to Microsecond, enter the value in Nanosecond in the calculator above. The conversion will happen automatically. Use our free online converter for instant and accurate results. You can also visit our time converter page to convert between other units in this category.
Learn more →What is the conversion factor from Nanosecond to Microsecond?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Nanosecond and Microsecond. You can find the exact conversion formula and factor on this page. Our calculator handles all calculations automatically. See the conversion table above for common values.
Can I convert Microsecond back to Nanosecond?
Yes! You can easily convert Microsecond back to Nanosecond by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Microsecond to Nanosecond converter page. You can also explore other time conversions on our category page.
Learn more →What are common uses for Nanosecond and Microsecond?
Nanosecond and Microsecond are both standard units used in time measurements. They are commonly used in various applications including engineering, construction, cooking, and scientific research. Browse our time converter for more conversion options.
For more time conversion questions, visit our FAQ page or explore our conversion guides.
Helpful Conversion Guides
Learn more about unit conversion with our comprehensive guides:
All Time Conversions
Other Time Units and Conversions
Explore other time units and their conversion options:
- Second (s) • Nanosecond to Second
- Minute (min) • Nanosecond to Minute
- Hour (h) • Nanosecond to Hour
- Day (d) • Nanosecond to Day
- Week (wk) • Nanosecond to Week
- Month (mo) • Nanosecond to Month
- Year (yr) • Nanosecond to Year
- Millisecond (ms) • Nanosecond to Millisecond
- Decade (dec) • Nanosecond to Decade
- Century (c) • Nanosecond to Century
Verified Against Authority Standards
All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.
National Institute of Standards and Technology — Official time standards and definitions
Bureau International des Poids et Mesures — Definition of the SI base unit for time
Last verified: December 3, 2025