Picowatt is 1e-12 watt units.
Picowatts to Milliwatts Converter — pW to mW
Convert Picowatt (pW) to Milliwatt (mW) using the exact conversion factor (1 picowatt = 1e-9 milliwatt). See the formula, worked examples, and conversion table.
Picowatts to Milliwatts 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.
Milliwatt is 0.001 watt units.
Result = input x 1e-12 / 0.001.
Power units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Picowatts to Milliwatts
Picowatt and Milliwatt 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: Picowatt is 1e-12 watt units, and milliwatt is 0.001 watt units.
Formula
milliwatts = picowatts × 1e-9
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 picowatt equals 1e-12 base units, and 1 milliwatt equals 0.001 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct picowatt-to-milliwatt factor of 1e-9.
Simple example
1 pW × 1e-9 = 1e-9 mW
1 picowatt = 1e-9 milliwatts.
Real-world example
100 pW × 1e-9 = 1e-7 mW
100 picowatts = 1e-7 milliwatts.
Conversion table
| Picowatt (pW) | Milliwatt (mW) |
|---|---|
| 1 pW | 1e-9 mW |
| 10 pW | 1e-8 mW |
| 50 pW | 5e-8 mW |
| 100 pW | 1e-7 mW |
| 500 pW | 5e-7 mW |
| 1,000 pW | 0.000001 mW |
Reverse conversion: Milliwatt to Picowatt
1e-9 mW × 1000000000 = 1 pW
1e-9 milliwatts = 1 picowatts.
picowatts = milliwatts × 1000000000
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Milliwatt to Picowatt.
Understanding the Picowatt (pW)
Picowatt is 1e-12 watt units.
Understanding the Milliwatt (mW)
Milliwatt is 0.001 watt units.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many milliwatts are in 1 picowatt?
1 picowatt equals 1e-9 milliwatts, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert picowatt to milliwatt?
Multiply the picowatt value by 1e-9. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert milliwatt back to picowatt?
Use the reverse factor: 1 milliwatt equals 1,000,000,000 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 engineering.
What is a milliwatt?
Milliwatt (mW) is a unit of engineering.
Is the picowatt to milliwatt conversion exact?
Yes. Both picowatt and milliwatt are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 1e-9 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.