Nanowatt is 1e-9 watt units.
Nanowatts to Gigawatts Converter — nW to GW
Convert Nanowatt (nW) to Gigawatt (GW) using the exact conversion factor (1 nanowatt = 1e-18 gigawatt). See the formula, worked examples, and conversion table.
Nanowatts to Gigawatts 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.
Gigawatt is 1000000000 watt units.
Result = input x 1e-9 / 1e+9.
Power units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Nanowatts to Gigawatts
Nanowatt and Gigawatt 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: Nanowatt is 1e-9 watt units, and gigawatt is 1000000000 watt units.
Formula
gigawatts = nanowatts × 1e-18
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 nanowatt equals 1e-9 base units, and 1 gigawatt equals 1000000000 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct nanowatt-to-gigawatt factor of 1e-18.
Simple example
1 nW × 1e-18 = 1e-18 GW
1 nanowatt = 1e-18 gigawatts.
Real-world example
100 nW × 1e-18 = 1e-16 GW
100 nanowatts = 1e-16 gigawatts.
Conversion table
| Nanowatt (nW) | Gigawatt (GW) |
|---|---|
| 1 nW | 1e-18 GW |
| 10 nW | 1e-17 GW |
| 50 nW | 5e-17 GW |
| 100 nW | 1e-16 GW |
| 500 nW | 5e-16 GW |
| 1,000 nW | 1e-15 GW |
Reverse conversion: Gigawatt to Nanowatt
1e-18 GW × 1e+18 = 1 nW
1e-18 gigawatts = 1 nanowatt.
nanowatts = gigawatts × 1e+18
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Gigawatt to Nanowatt.
Understanding the Nanowatt (nW)
Nanowatt is 1e-9 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 nanowatt?
1 nanowatt equals 1e-18 gigawatts, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert nanowatt to gigawatt?
Multiply the nanowatt value by 1e-18. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert gigawatt back to nanowatt?
Use the reverse factor: 1 gigawatt equals 1e+18 nanowatts. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a nanowatt?
Nanowatt (nW) is a unit of engineering.
What is a gigawatt?
Gigawatt (GW) is a unit of engineering.
Is the nanowatt to gigawatt conversion exact?
Yes. Both nanowatt and gigawatt are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 1e-18 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.