Piconewton is 1e-12 newton units.
Piconewtons to Centinewtons Converter — pN to cN
Convert Piconewton (pN) to Centinewton (cN) using the exact conversion factor (1 piconewton = 1e-10 centinewton). See the formula, worked examples, and conversion table.
Piconewtons to Centinewtons converter
Converter
Force Converter
Convert newtons, dynes, pound-force, kilogram-force, kips, and ounce-force.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
Centinewton is 0.01 newton units.
Result = input x 1e-12 / 0.01.
Force uses the newton as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Piconewtons to Centinewtons
Piconewton and Centinewton both measure force, and the conversion matters whenever an SI-trained engineer needs to compare notes with a US-trained one, or vice versa. Specifically: Piconewton is 1e-12 newton units, and centinewton is 0.01 newton units.
Formula
centinewtons = piconewtons × 1e-10
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 piconewton equals 1e-12 base units, and 1 centinewton equals 0.01 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct piconewton-to-centinewton factor of 1e-10.
Simple example
1 pN × 1e-10 = 1e-10 cN
1 piconewton = 1e-10 centinewtons.
Real-world example
10 pN × 1e-10 = 1e-9 cN
10 piconewtons = 1e-9 centinewtons.
Conversion table
| Piconewton (pN) | Centinewton (cN) |
|---|---|
| 1 pN | 1e-10 cN |
| 5 pN | 5e-10 cN |
| 10 pN | 1e-9 cN |
| 50 pN | 5e-9 cN |
| 100 pN | 1e-8 cN |
| 1,000 pN | 1e-7 cN |
Reverse conversion: Centinewton to Piconewton
1e-10 cN × 10000000000 = 1 pN
1e-10 centinewtons = 1 piconewton.
piconewtons = centinewtons × 10000000000
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Centinewton to Piconewton.
Understanding the Piconewton (pN)
Piconewton is 1e-12 newton units.
Understanding the Centinewton (cN)
Centinewton is 0.01 newton units.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many centinewtons are in 1 piconewton?
1 piconewton equals 1e-10 centinewtons, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert piconewton to centinewton?
Multiply the piconewton value by 1e-10. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert centinewton back to piconewton?
Use the reverse factor: 1 centinewton equals 10,000,000,000 piconewtons. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a piconewton?
Piconewton (pN) is a unit of force.
What is a centinewton?
Centinewton (cN) is a unit of force.
Is the piconewton to centinewton conversion exact?
Yes. Both piconewton and centinewton are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 1e-10 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.