Frequency Wavelength / nm → m
Convert Wavelength in nanometers to Wavelength in meters
Convert electromagnetic frequency and wavelength with an explicit refractive index. Convert Wavelength in nanometers (nm) to Wavelength in meters (m). Find the formula, worked examples, unit definitions, and practical guidance below.
Reverse: Wavelength in meters to Wavelength in nanometers →
How to convert wavelength in nanometers to wavelength in meters
Frequency times wavelength equals c/n, where c is exactly 299792458 m/s. Tables assume vacuum (n = 1). Supply the phase refractive index for your medium and frequency; dispersion and acoustic waves need other models.
Use x for the value in nm, b for the intermediate value in Hz, and y for the result in m.
b = 299792458000000000 ÷ (n × x); y = 299792458 ÷ (n × b)
Here n = 1 (vacuum). Static examples and tables assume vacuum; changing n in the calculator updates its result only.
Worked examples
10 nm ≈ 1e-8 m
Step 1: 299792458000000000 ÷ (n × 10) ≈ 29979245800000000 Hz.
Step 2: 299792458 ÷ (n × 29979245800000000) ≈ 1e-8 m.20 nm ≈ 2e-8 m
Step 1: 299792458000000000 ÷ (n × 20) ≈ 14989622900000000 Hz.
Step 2: 299792458 ÷ (n × 14989622900000000) ≈ 2e-8 m.
Results are rounded to 12 significant digits. Converting units does not increase the precision of the original measurement. Very large or small values outside JavaScript’s finite numeric range are rejected.
About Wavelength in nanometers
Wavelength in nanometers relates inversely to Hertz. The base value is 299792458000000000 ÷ (n × x), where x is the numerical value in nm and n is the phase refractive index. A zero or negative reciprocal input is outside this calculator’s physical domain.
About Wavelength in meters
Wavelength in meters relates inversely to Hertz. The base value is 299792458 ÷ (n × x), where x is the numerical value in m and n is the phase refractive index. A zero or negative reciprocal input is outside this calculator’s physical domain.
Definitions and sources
Carry the same physical assumptions into subsequent physics calculations.
Wavelength in nanometers to wavelength in meters reference table
| Wavelength in nanometers (nm) | Wavelength in meters (m) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1e-9 |
| 5 | 5e-9 |
| 10 | 1e-8 |
| 25 | 2.5e-8 |
| 50 | 5e-8 |
| 100 | 1e-7 |
| 1000 | 0.000001 |
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