Rad is 0.01 gray.
Rads to Picograys Converter — rad to pGy
Convert Rad (rad) to Picogray (pGy) using the exact conversion factor (1 rad = 10,000,000,000 picogray). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, and common uses.
Rads to Picograys converter
Converter
Radiation Converter
Convert radioactivity, absorbed dose, and equivalent dose units by compatible radiation family.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
Picogray is 1e-12 gray units.
Result = input x 0.01 / 1e-12.
Absorbed Dose units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Rads to Picograys
Rad and Picogray both belong to the radiation-measurement family, though radiation quantities fall into genuinely distinct categories: absorbed dose (gray, rad) measures energy deposited in matter, equivalent dose (sievert, rem) weights that for biological harm, and activity (becquerel, curie) measures how often a radioactive source decays — this page only converts between units of the same kind. Rad is most often used for us radiation therapy dose records (historically).
Formula
picograys = rads × 10000000000
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 rad equals 0.01 base units, and 1 picogray equals 1e-12 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct rad-to-picogray factor of 10000000000.
Simple example
1 rad × 10000000000 = 10,000,000,000 pGy
1 rad = 10,000,000,000 picograys.
Real-world example
10 rad × 10000000000 = 100,000,000,000 pGy
10 rads = 100,000,000,000 picograys.
Conversion table
| Rad (rad) | Picogray (pGy) |
|---|---|
| 0.001 rad | 10,000,000 pGy |
| 0.01 rad | 100,000,000 pGy |
| 0.1 rad | 1,000,000,000 pGy |
| 1 rad | 10,000,000,000 pGy |
| 10 rad | 100,000,000,000 pGy |
| 100 rad | 1e+12 pGy |
Reverse conversion: Picogray to Rad
1 pGy × 1e-10 = 1e-10 rad
1 picogray = 1e-10 rads.
rads = picograys × 1e-10
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Picogray to Rad.
Understanding the Rad
Rad (rad) measures absorbed radiation dose. 'Radiation absorbed dose' — the US customary unit of absorbed radiation dose, fixed at exactly 0.01 gray. It is classified as a non-SI unit, still common in the US.
Where it's used: Still used in some US medical and historical contexts alongside the SI gray
Rad vs. gray. Both measure absorbed radiation dose; the gray is the modern SI unit while the rad is the older US customary unit, related by 1 gray = 100 rad exactly.
Uses of the Rad today
- US radiation therapy dose records (historically)
- US nuclear regulatory and medical physics contexts
Understanding the Picogray (pGy)
Picogray is 1e-12 gray units.
Rad — sources
- NIST Guide to the SI, Appendix B — Lists the rad among non-SI units with an exact SI equivalence.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many picograys are in 1 rad?
1 rad equals 10,000,000,000 picograys, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert rad to picogray?
Multiply the rad value by 10000000000. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert picogray back to rad?
Use the reverse factor: 1 picogray equals 1e-10 rads. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a rad?
Rad (rad) measures absorbed radiation dose. 'Radiation absorbed dose' — the US customary unit of absorbed radiation dose, fixed at exactly 0.01 gray. It is classified as a non-SI unit, still common in the US.
What is a picogray?
Picogray (pGy) is a unit of radiation.
Is the rad to picogray conversion exact?
Yes. 'Radiation absorbed dose' — the US customary unit of absorbed radiation dose, fixed at exactly 0.01 gray. That fixed definition is what the converter above uses, so any rounding you see is a display choice, not a limitation of the math.
What is the difference between rad vs. gray?
Both measure absorbed radiation dose; the gray is the modern SI unit while the rad is the older US customary unit, related by 1 gray = 100 rad exactly.
Where is the rad still used today?
Still used in some US medical and historical contexts alongside the SI gray