Milliwatt is 0.001 watt units.
Milliwatts to Nanowatts Converter — mW to nW
Convert Milliwatt (mW) to Nanowatt (nW) using the exact conversion factor (1 milliwatt = 1,000,000 nanowatt). See the formula, worked examples, and conversion table.
Milliwatts to Nanowatts converter
Converter
Engineering Converter
Convert common stress, force, torque, power, and energy units used in engineering.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
Nanowatt is 1e-9 watt units.
Result = input x 0.001 / 1e-9.
Power units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Milliwatts to Nanowatts
Milliwatt and Nanowatt both measure a quantity used in structural or mechanical engineering — commonly stress, pressure, force, torque, power, or energy — where converting between the unit conventions used in different regions, industries, or equipment specifications is a routine part of design work. Specifically: Milliwatt is 0.001 watt units, and nanowatt is 1e-9 watt units.
Formula
nanowatts = milliwatts × 1000000
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 milliwatt equals 0.001 base units, and 1 nanowatt equals 1e-9 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct milliwatt-to-nanowatt factor of 1000000.
Simple example
1 mW × 1000000 = 1,000,000 nW
1 milliwatt = 1,000,000 nanowatts.
Real-world example
100 mW × 1000000 = 100,000,000 nW
100 milliwatts = 100,000,000 nanowatts.
Conversion table
| Milliwatt (mW) | Nanowatt (nW) |
|---|---|
| 1 mW | 1,000,000 nW |
| 10 mW | 10,000,000 nW |
| 50 mW | 50,000,000 nW |
| 100 mW | 100,000,000 nW |
| 500 mW | 500,000,000 nW |
| 1,000 mW | 1,000,000,000 nW |
Reverse conversion: Nanowatt to Milliwatt
1 nW × 0.000001 = 0.000001 mW
1 nanowatt = 0.000001 milliwatts.
milliwatts = nanowatts × 0.000001
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Nanowatt to Milliwatt.
Understanding the Milliwatt (mW)
Milliwatt is 0.001 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 milliwatt?
1 milliwatt equals 1,000,000 nanowatts, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert milliwatt to nanowatt?
Multiply the milliwatt value by 1000000. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert nanowatt back to milliwatt?
Use the reverse factor: 1 nanowatt equals 0.000001 milliwatts. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a milliwatt?
Milliwatt (mW) is a unit of engineering.
What is a nanowatt?
Nanowatt (nW) is a unit of engineering.
Is the milliwatt to nanowatt conversion exact?
Yes. Both milliwatt and nanowatt are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 1000000 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.
Why do engineering unit conventions vary so much by region and industry?
Pressure, force, and stress can be expressed in metric (pascal, newton), US customary (psi, pound-force), or older and industry-specific units (atmosphere, torr, kip) depending on the country, industry, and even the equipment manufacturer, which is why engineers routinely need to convert between them when working across specs from different sources.