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Single conversion
To convert from Kilometer (km) to Nanometer (nm), use the following formula:
Let's convert 5 Kilometer (km) to Nanometer (nm).
Using the formula:
Therefore, 5 Kilometer (km) is equal to Nanometer (nm).
Here are some quick reference conversions from Kilometer (km) to Nanometer (nm):
| Kilometers | Nanometers |
|---|---|
| 0.000001 km | nm |
| 0.001 km | nm |
| 0.1 km | nm |
| 1 km | nm |
| 2 km | nm |
| 3 km | nm |
| 4 km | nm |
| 5 km | nm |
| 6 km | nm |
| 7 km | nm |
| 8 km | nm |
| 9 km | nm |
| 10 km | nm |
| 20 km | nm |
| 30 km | nm |
| 40 km | nm |
| 50 km | nm |
| 100 km | nm |
| 1000 km | nm |
| 10000 km | nm |
For all Length converters, choose units using the From/To dropdowns above.
A kilometer (km) is a unit of length in the metric system, equal to 1,000 meters.
The plural form is kilometers.
The term "kilometer" is composed of two parts: the metric unit "meter" and the Greek prefix "kilo," which comes from the word "khilioi," meaning "thousand."
Thus, a kilometer translates to one thousand meters.
This concept is a fundamental aspect of the decimal-based metric system, established in France during the 1790s. The logical, prefix-based nature of the metric system simplifies conversions, which is a key reason for its widespread adoption.
The kilometer is the official unit of measurement for geographical distance in the vast majority of countries worldwide.
Only a few nations still primarily use the mile for road signage and navigation, most notably:
For international travel, science, and sporting events like marathons and the Olympics, the kilometer is the universally accepted standard.
To understand how far a kilometer is, consider these real-world examples:
This consistent unit of measurement makes it easy to compare everything from everyday travel to distances in space.
A nanometer (nm) is a tiny unit of measurement in the metric system.
To give you an idea of its scale, one nanometer is equal to one-billionth of a meter (10-9 m). The plural form is nanometers.
A nanometer is so small that it's challenging to visualize. To put it in perspective:
A single strand of human hair is enormous in comparison, measuring approximately 80,000 to 100,000 nanometers in diameter.
Similarly, a standard sheet of paper is about 100,000 nanometers thick.
This comparison highlights the incredible nanometer scale at which modern science operates.
The nanometer is central to nanotechnology, which works with matter at the atomic and molecular scale.
Modern electronics are a good example: transistors on computer chips are measured in nanometers.
A smaller process node (for example, a 5 nm chip) enables manufacturers to pack more transistors into the same area, resulting in faster and more energy-efficient devices, such as smartphones and laptops.
The prefix "nano" originates from the ancient Greek word "νάνος" (nános), which means "dwarf."
This origin perfectly captures the essence of the nanometer's tiny size. It's a fitting name for a unit used to measure things far too small for the human eye to see.