Picowatt is 1e-12 watt units.
Picowatts to Nanowatts Converter — pW to nW
Convert Picowatt (pW) to Nanowatt (nW) using the exact conversion factor (1 picowatt = 0.001 nanowatt). See the formula, worked examples, and conversion table.
Picowatts to Nanowatts 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.
Nanowatt is 1e-9 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 Nanowatts
Picowatt and Nanowatt 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 nanowatt is 1e-9 watt units.
Formula
nanowatts = picowatts × 0.001
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 picowatt equals 1e-12 base units, and 1 nanowatt equals 1e-9 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct picowatt-to-nanowatt factor of 0.001.
Simple example
1 pW × 0.001 = 0.001 nW
1 picowatt = 0.001 nanowatts.
Real-world example
120 pW × 0.001 = 0.12 nW
120 picowatts = 0.12 nanowatts.
Conversion table
| Picowatt (pW) | Nanowatt (nW) |
|---|---|
| 1 pW | 0.001 nW |
| 5 pW | 0.005 nW |
| 12 pW | 0.012 nW |
| 24 pW | 0.024 nW |
| 120 pW | 0.12 nW |
| 240 pW | 0.24 nW |
Reverse conversion: Nanowatt to Picowatt
0.001 nW × 1000 = 1 pW
0.001 nanowatts = 1 picowatts.
picowatts = nanowatts × 1000
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Nanowatt to Picowatt.
Understanding the Picowatt (pW)
Picowatt is 1e-12 watt units.
Understanding the Nanowatt (nW)
Nanowatt is 1e-9 watt units.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many nanowatts are in 1 picowatt?
1 picowatt equals 0.001 nanowatts, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert picowatt to nanowatt?
Multiply the picowatt value by 0.001. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert nanowatt back to picowatt?
Use the reverse factor: 1 nanowatt equals 1,000 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 nanowatt?
Nanowatt (nW) is a unit of electricity.
Is the picowatt to nanowatt conversion exact?
Yes. Both picowatt and nanowatt are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 0.001 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.