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Single conversion
To convert from Centimeter (cm) to Micrometer (μm), use the following formula:
Let's convert 5 Centimeter (cm) to Micrometer (μm).
Using the formula:
Therefore, 5 Centimeter (cm) is equal to Micrometer (μm).
Here are some quick reference conversions from Centimeter (cm) to Micrometer (μm):
| Centimeters | Micrometers |
|---|---|
| 0.000001 cm | μm |
| 0.001 cm | μm |
| 0.1 cm | μm |
| 1 cm | μm |
| 2 cm | μm |
| 3 cm | μm |
| 4 cm | μm |
| 5 cm | μm |
| 6 cm | μm |
| 7 cm | μm |
| 8 cm | μm |
| 9 cm | μm |
| 10 cm | μm |
| 20 cm | μm |
| 30 cm | μm |
| 40 cm | μm |
| 50 cm | μm |
| 100 cm | μm |
| 1000 cm | μm |
| 10000 cm | μm |
For all Length converters, choose units using the From/To dropdowns above.
A centimeter (cm) is a unit of length in the metric system.
It is equal to one hundredth of a meter (0.01 m). The plural form is centimeters.
One of the most crucial facts about the centimeter is its relationship with the inch.
There are exactly 2.54 centimeters in one inch.
This precise conversion factor is essential for global trade, engineering, and daily life. It enables easy and accurate translation between the metric system (used by most of the world) and the imperial system (still used in countries such as the United States).
Gaining a clear understanding of this cm to inch conversion is essential for various tasks, including purchasing clothing and international manufacturing.
The centimeter is a cornerstone of the Centimeter-Gram-Second (CGS) system of units.
This system was an essential precursor to the modern International System of Units (SI).
In the CGS system, the centimeter was the base unit of length, the gram the base unit of mass, and the second the base unit of time.
While less common today, it's still widely used in specific fields of physics, such as astrophysics, for calculating other vital units like force and energy.
To understand how big a centimeter is, it helps to use common items as a useful mental benchmark. This is great for estimating its length without a ruler.
A centimeter is approximately the same width as:
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).
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.
It can be hard to grasp just how small a micrometer is.
To put this micrometer size comparison into perspective, consider these examples:
These comparisons highlight the incredible microscopic scale the micrometer represents, far smaller than anything the naked eye can perceive.
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).