Modern Converts Logo

Modern Converts

Convert between different units quickly and accurately in a modern way

Choose a Measurement

Select a measurement and convert between different units

Convert Length from Micrometer to Millimeter (μm to mm)
Multiple conversions

Multiple conversions

On This Page

Micrometer to Millimeter Conversion FormulaExampleWhat is a Micrometer (μm)?Where Are Micrometers Used?How Small Is a Micron? A Size ComparisonIs a Micron the Same as a Micrometer?What is a Millimeter (mm)?How Many Millimeters are in an Inch?Where are Millimeters Used Every Day?What is the metric system?Micrometer to Millimeter Conversion Table

Micrometer to Millimeter Conversion Formula

To convert from Micrometer (μm) to Millimeter (mm), use the following formula:

 Millimeter (mm)\textbf{ Millimeter} \text{ (mm)}

=1106×1000× Micrometer (μm)= \frac{1}{10^{6}} \times 1000\times \textbf{ Micrometer} \text{ (μm)}

=11000× Micrometer (μm)= \frac{1}{1000}\times \textbf{ Micrometer} \text{ (μm)}

=0.001× Micrometer (μm)= 0.001\times \textbf{ Micrometer} \text{ (μm)}

Example

Let's convert 5 Micrometer (μm) to Millimeter (mm).

Using the formula:

5×0.001=0.0055 \times 0.001 = 0.005

Therefore, 5 Micrometer (μm) is equal to 0.0050.005 Millimeter (mm).

What is a Micrometer (μm)?

A micrometer (μm), commonly referred to as a micron, is a unit of length in the metric system.

It is extremely small, equal to one millionth of a meter (10⁻⁶ m).

Where Are Micrometers Used?

The micrometer may be tiny, but it's indispensable wherever extreme precision is required. Here are some examples of how it's used across different industries:

  • Electronics manufacturing: Parts like transistors, traces, and other microchip features are measured in micrometers. Modern CPUs and memory chips depend on manufacturing at these microscopic scales.

  • Aerospace engineering: Components are machined to micrometer tolerances, ensuring they fit and perform reliably under extreme stress and temperature conditions.

  • Medical devices: Stents, catheters, and many surgical tools must be produced with micrometer-level accuracy to ensure patient safety and proper function.

  • Textiles: Fiber diameters—such as wool, silk, and synthetic fibers—are measured in micrometers to assess softness, strength, and the best uses for each material.

Small unit, significant impact: micrometer-level precision underpins quality, safety, and performance across many fields.

How Small Is a Micron? A Size Comparison

It can be hard to grasp just how small a micrometer is.

To put this micrometer size comparison into perspective, consider these examples:

  • The average human hair is about 50 to 100 micrometers thick.
  • A single red blood cell is typically 7 to 8 micrometers wide.
  • A particle of baker's yeast is about 5 micrometers across.

These comparisons highlight the incredible microscopic scale the micrometer represents, far smaller than anything the naked eye can perceive.

Is a Micron the Same as a Micrometer?

Yes, they are the same.

The official name for this unit in the International System of Units (SI) is the micrometer; however, it is often still referred to by its older name, the micron.

The term "micron" was officially retired in 1967 to standardize terminology and prevent confusion. Nonetheless, it remains commonly used in various industries and scientific contexts due to habit.

Therefore, when you encounter a measurement in microns, it is equivalent to a micrometer (1×10⁻⁶ meters).

What is a Millimeter (mm)?

A millimeter (mm) is a small unit of length in the metric system, equal to one-thousandth of a meter (1/1000 m or 0.001 m).

The word itself comes from the Latin "mille," meaning "thousand."

This is why the prefix "milli" in the metric system always means one-thousandth of a base unit—just like a milligram is one-thousandth of a gram.

The plural form is millimeters.

How Many Millimeters are in an Inch?

Understanding the relationship between millimeters and inches is crucial, particularly for projects that utilize both metric and imperial systems.

The official mm-to-inch conversion is a precise measurement used worldwide in engineering and manufacturing.

  • Exact Conversion: 1 inch is equal to exactly 25.4 millimeters.
  • Quick Reference: For a simple real-world comparison, 1 millimeter is about the thickness of a credit card.

Where are Millimeters Used Every Day?

The millimeter is the standard unit for measuring small distances with precision.

You likely encounter millimeter measurements more often than you think in daily life, science, and technology.

  • Weather: Meteorologists measure daily rainfall in millimeters.
  • Stationery: The lead in a mechanical pencil is measured by its diameter in millimeters (e.g., 0.5 mm or 0.7 mm).
  • Electronics: Small components on circuit boards and common connectors, like the 3.5 mm headphone jack, are measured in millimeters.

What is the metric system?

The metric system is a decimal-based system of measurement used by nearly every country in the world. Its key feature is the use of prefixes to denote multiples and submultiples of the base units by powers of ten.

Micrometer to Millimeter Conversion Table

Here are some quick reference conversions from Micrometer (μm) to Millimeter (mm):

MicrometersMillimeters
0.000001 μm10−910^{-9} mm
0.001 μm10−610^{-6} mm
0.1 μm10−410^{-4} mm
1 μm0.0010.001 mm
2 μm0.0020.002 mm
3 μm0.0030.003 mm
4 μm0.0040.004 mm
5 μm0.0050.005 mm
6 μm0.0060.006 mm
7 μm0.0070.007 mm
8 μm0.0080.008 mm
9 μm0.0090.009 mm
10 μm0.010.01 mm
20 μm0.020.02 mm
30 μm0.030.03 mm
40 μm0.040.04 mm
50 μm0.050.05 mm
100 μm0.10.1 mm
1000 μm11 mm
10000 μm1010 mm

List some Length Converters:

For all Length converters, choose units using the From/To dropdowns above.

μm to mm | Convert Micrometer to Millimeter | Multiple Conversions