Nanosecond to Shake Converter

Convert nanoseconds to shakes with our free online time converter.

Quick Answer

1 Nanosecond = 0.1 shakes

Formula: Nanosecond × conversion factor = Shake

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.

Last verified: December 2025Reviewed by: Sam Mathew, Software Engineer

Nanosecond to Shake Calculator

How to Use the Nanosecond to Shake Calculator:

  1. Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Nanosecond).
  2. The converted value in Shake will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
  3. Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Time category.
  4. Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
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How to Convert Nanosecond to Shake: Step-by-Step Guide

Converting Nanosecond to Shake involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.

Formula:

1 Nanosecond = 0.1 shakes

Example Calculation:

Convert 60 nanoseconds: 60 × 0.1 = 6 shakes

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.

What is a Nanosecond and a Shake?

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 Shake is an informal unit of time equal to 10 nanoseconds (10 ns), or 10⁻⁸ seconds. It is primarily used in nuclear physics and astrophysics to measure the timing of events in nuclear reactions and related phenomena.

Note: The Nanosecond is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Shake belongs to the imperial/US customary system.

History of the Nanosecond and Shake

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 term "Shake" originated during the Manhattan Project, the World War II effort to develop the first nuclear weapons. Nuclear chain reactions happen extremely quickly, and physicists needed a convenient, short unit of time to discuss the timing of events within these reactions. Ten nanoseconds was chosen as a practical order of magnitude for many processes involved. The name itself is informal, reputedly derived from the expression "two shakes of a lamb's tail," implying a very short duration.

Common Uses and Applications: nanoseconds vs shakes

Explore the typical applications for both Nanosecond (imperial/US) and Shake (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 shakes

The Shake is almost exclusively used in specific technical fields:

  • Nuclear Physics: Measuring the time intervals between successive neutron generations in a nuclear chain reaction.
  • Astrophysics: Discussing timescales relevant to certain high-energy astrophysical events.
  • Particle Physics: Occasionally used in experiments involving very short-lived particles or interactions.
  • Laser Physics: Sometimes used in contexts involving very short laser pulses.

It is not used for everyday time measurements.

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 Shake (shake)

How long is a Shake in seconds?

One Shake is equal to 10 nanoseconds (10 ns), which is 10⁻⁸ seconds, or 0.00000001 seconds.

Where did the name "Shake" come from?

The name is an informal term coined during the Manhattan Project. It's believed to be a humorous reference to the phrase "in two shakes of a lamb's tail," signifying a very brief period, appropriate for the rapid events in nuclear reactions.

Is the Shake an SI unit?

No, the Shake is not part of the International System of Units (SI). The standard SI unit for time is the second (s). The Shake is a specialized, informal unit used within specific scientific communities for convenience.

Conversion Table: Nanosecond to Shake

Nanosecond (ns)Shake (shake)
0.50.05
10.1
1.50.15
20.2
50.5
101
252.5
505
10010
25025
50050
1,000100

People Also Ask

How do I convert Nanosecond to Shake?

To convert Nanosecond to Shake, 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 Shake?

The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Nanosecond and Shake. 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 Shake back to Nanosecond?

Yes! You can easily convert Shake back to Nanosecond by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Shake to Nanosecond converter page. You can also explore other time conversions on our category page.

Learn more →

What are common uses for Nanosecond and Shake?

Nanosecond and Shake 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.

All Time Conversions

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Verified Against Authority Standards

All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.

NIST Time and Frequency

National Institute of Standards and TechnologyOfficial time standards and definitions

BIPM Second Definition

Bureau International des Poids et MesuresDefinition of the SI base unit for time

Last verified: December 3, 2025