Picowatt is 1e-12 watt units.
Picowatts to Gigawatts Converter — pW to GW
Convert Picowatt (pW) to Gigawatt (GW) using the exact conversion factor (1 picowatt = 1e-21 gigawatt). See the formula, worked examples, and conversion table.
Picowatts to Gigawatts converter
Converter
Electricity Converter
Convert electrical units by family and calculate voltage, current, resistance, power, and energy with context values.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
Gigawatt is 1000000000 watt units.
Result = input x 1e-12 / 1e+9.
Electrical units in the same family convert directly.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Picowatts to Gigawatts
Picowatt and Gigawatt both belong to the electricity family — voltage, current, resistance, power, or energy — units that show up constantly when working across the different standards used by household wiring (120V/240V depending on region), automotive electrical systems (12V/24V), and electronics design. Specifically: Picowatt is 1e-12 watt units, and gigawatt is 1000000000 watt units.
Formula
gigawatts = picowatts × 1e-21
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 picowatt equals 1e-12 base units, and 1 gigawatt equals 1000000000 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct picowatt-to-gigawatt factor of 1e-21.
Simple example
1 pW × 1e-21 = 1e-21 GW
1 picowatt = 1e-21 gigawatts.
Real-world example
120 pW × 1e-21 = 1.2e-19 GW
120 picowatts = 1.2e-19 gigawatts.
Conversion table
| Picowatt (pW) | Gigawatt (GW) |
|---|---|
| 1 pW | 1e-21 GW |
| 5 pW | 5e-21 GW |
| 12 pW | 1.2e-20 GW |
| 24 pW | 2.4e-20 GW |
| 120 pW | 1.2e-19 GW |
| 240 pW | 2.4e-19 GW |
Reverse conversion: Gigawatt to Picowatt
1e-21 GW × 1e+21 = 1 pW
1e-21 gigawatts = 1 picowatt.
picowatts = gigawatts × 1e+21
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Gigawatt to Picowatt.
Understanding the Picowatt (pW)
Picowatt is 1e-12 watt units.
Understanding the Gigawatt (GW)
Gigawatt is 1000000000 watt units.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many gigawatts are in 1 picowatt?
1 picowatt equals 1e-21 gigawatts, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert picowatt to gigawatt?
Multiply the picowatt value by 1e-21. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert gigawatt back to picowatt?
Use the reverse factor: 1 gigawatt equals 1e+21 picowatts. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a picowatt?
Picowatt (pW) is a unit of electricity.
What is a gigawatt?
Gigawatt (GW) is a unit of electricity.
Is the picowatt to gigawatt conversion exact?
Yes. Both picowatt and gigawatt are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 1e-21 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.
What's the difference between voltage, current, and resistance?
Voltage (volts) is the electrical potential difference driving current through a circuit. Current (amperes) is the rate of flow of electric charge. Resistance (ohms) is how much a component opposes that flow. They're related by Ohm's law (V = I × R), but they are distinct physical quantities, and this page converts between units of just one of them.