Nanovolt to Microvolt (nV to µV) Converter

How to Use Our nV to µV Converter

Our converter is designed for ease of use and precision. Here’s how to get your conversion in two simple steps:

• Value: Enter the numerical value of the voltage you need to convert. For instance, if you have a signal of 500 nanovolts, you would type “500”.

• Units: The tool is preset to convert from nanovolts (nV) to microvolts (µV). You can also use the dropdown menus to select other voltage units if needed.

The calculator will instantly display the converted value.

Understanding Your Results

The number you see is the direct conversion of your input value into the new unit. To fully grasp this, it’s essential to understand the relationship between these incredibly small units of voltage.

The Core Relationship: nV vs. µV

Both nanovolts and microvolts are fractions of a volt ($V$), which is the standard unit of electrical pressure.

• Microvolt ($mu$V): One-millionth of a volt (1times10−6 V).

• Nanovolt (nV): One-billionth of a volt (1times10−9 V).

The key conversion factor is based on powers of 1,000: 1 Microvolt = 1,000 Nanovolts

Therefore, to convert from nanovolts to microvolts, you simply divide by 1,000. Example: $500textnV/1,000=0.5textmuV$

Putting These Tiny Voltages into Perspective

It can be difficult to imagine how small a nanovolt or microvolt is. This table compares them to common voltage sources:

As you can see, the signals measured in neuroscience are billions of times smaller than the voltage from a simple battery. This is why precise conversion and measurement are so critical in these fields.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we need such small units of voltage?

We need units like nanovolts and microvolts to measure the extremely faint electrical signals generated by natural phenomena and sensitive electronics. Without this level of granularity, we couldn’t perform many modern medical diagnostics or conduct advanced scientific research. These units allow us to quantify and analyze the subtle electrical world that is invisible to our senses.

Where are nanovolts and microvolts measured in the real world?

These units are crucial in several high-tech and scientific fields:

• Neuroscience: Electroencephalography (EEG) measures brainwave activity in the range of 10-100 microvolts.

• Cardiology: Electrocardiography (EKG/ECG) measures the electrical signals of the heart, which are in the millivolt range, but the smaller details and noise can be in the microvolt range.

• Physics & Materials Science: Measuring thermoelectric effects, superconductivity, and other quantum phenomena often involves detecting voltage changes at the nanovolt level.

• High-Precision Electronics: Calibrating sensitive lab equipment, like digital multimeters and oscilloscopes, requires working with microvolt and nanovolt standards.

What is the formula to convert nV to µV?

The formula is very simple: $textMicrovolts=textNanovolts/1000$

Conversely, to convert microvolts to nanovolts: $textNanovolts=textMicrovoltstimes1000$

What’s the difference between a microvolt ($mu$V) and a millivolt (mV)?

Like the relationship between nanovolts and microvolts, the difference is a factor of 1,000.

• 1 Millivolt (mV) = One-thousandth of a volt (1times10−3 V)

• 1 Microvolt ($mu$V) = One-millionth of a volt (1times10−6 V)

Therefore, 1 millivolt = 1,000 microvolts. The prefix “milli-” means thousandth, while “micro-” means millionth.

What kind of equipment is needed to measure nanovolts?

Measuring nanovolt-level signals requires specialized scientific instruments called nanovoltmeters. A standard handheld multimeter, which you might buy at a hardware store, can typically only measure down to the millivolt or maybe the 100-microvolt level.

A nanovoltmeter is an ultra-sensitive device engineered to minimize internal electrical “noise” and shield the measurement from external interference.

Is a nanovolt signal easy to measure? What is “noise”?

No, measuring nanovolt signals is extremely difficult. The primary challenge is electrical noise. Noise is any unwanted electrical signal that interferes with the signal you are trying to measure. At the nanovolt level, the noise can easily be larger than the signal itself, completely obscuring it.

Sources of noise include:

• Thermal Noise (Johnson-Nyquist Noise): The random motion of electrons in a conductor due to its temperature. This is a fundamental physical limit.

• Electromagnetic Interference (EMI): Signals from power lines (60 Hz hum), radio stations, Wi-Fi, and cell phones can be picked up by measurement wires.

• Thermoelectric EMFs: Small temperature differences across junctions of different metals (like in a connector or probe) can generate unwanted microvolt-level DC voltages.

How does temperature affect nanovolt measurements?

Temperature is a major source of error. As mentioned above, thermal noise is directly proportional to temperature. To get the cleanest possible measurement, sensitive experiments are sometimes conducted at cryogenic temperatures to “freeze out” this random electron motion.

Even at room temperature, simply touching a wire can introduce a temperature gradient, creating a thermoelectric voltage that swamps a nanovolt signal. This is why low-level measurements require specialized low-thermal-EMF cables and connectors.

Can a human feel a microvolt?

No, not even close. The threshold of human perception for an electric shock is around 500,000 microvolts (0.5 volts), and even then, it requires a significant amount of current. The voltages from brain or heart activity are far too small to be felt.

Concrete Example: How are microvolts used in an EEG?

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a perfect example of microvolt measurement in action.

1. Placement: Small electrodes are placed on a person’s scalp.

2. Detection: Each electrode detects the faint electrical activity of thousands of neurons firing in the brain. These signals are incredibly small, typically ranging from 10 to 100 microvolts ($mu$V).

3. Amplification: This tiny signal is fed into a differential amplifier, which boosts its strength by thousands of times until it’s large enough to be processed.

4. Conversion & Analysis: The amplified analog signal is converted to a digital signal, and a computer displays it as the familiar wave patterns of brain activity.

Without the ability to accurately measure and work with microvolt-level signals, modern neuroscience and tools like the EEG would not exist.

What is the next smallest unit after a nanovolt?

The next standard SI prefix down from a nanovolt (nV), which is 10−9 V, is a picovolt (pV), which is 10−12 V. A picovolt is one-trillionth of a volt. Measuring signals at this level is at the absolute cutting edge of physics and metrology and is not common.

After converting your nanovolt and microvolt values, you may want to place them in the broader context of electrical principles. Use our general Voltage Converter to see how these units relate to volts and kilovolts. To understand how these small voltages might function in a circuit, explore our Ohm’s Law Calculator.