Last updated: May 19, 2025

Gigavolt to Nanovolt Converter

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This article will show how to convert voltage measurement units from gigavolts (GV) to nanovolts (nV). We will cover essential definitions, provide examples, share relevant formulas, and present tables, along with answers to common questions.

Definitions of Volt, Gigavolt, and Nanovolt

Let’s get started by understanding the key definitions of Volt (V), Gigavolt (GV) and Nanovolt (nV). Understanding these terms will allow you to perform conversions confidently.

What is Volt (V)?

A volt (V) is the SI (International System of Units) unit of electric potential and voltage. It measures the difference in electric energy between two points in a circuit. One volt means one ampere of current uses one watt of power.[1]

According to SI prefixes[2], which are based on powers of 10, a volt (1 V) is equivalent to one-billionth (1/1000,000,000) gigavolts, or 10-9 GV, or 0.000000001 GV.

Definition and illustration of a volt.
What is a Volt? The definition and illustration.

What is Gigavolt (GV)?

A gigavolt (GV) is a unit of electrical potential equal to one billion volts (1,000,000,000 V). This measurement is used in applications involving extreme voltage levels that standard voltage units cannot effectively represent.

What is Gigavolt (GV)?
What is a Gigavolt? The definition and illustration.

What is Nanovolt (nV)?

A nanovolt (nV) is a unit of electrical potential equal to one-billionth (1/1,000,000,000) of a volt (10-9 V). It is primarily used in high-precision electrical measurements, such as scientific instrumentation, quantum electronics, and sensitive signal detection, where extremely small voltage variations must be accurately captured and analyzed.

What is Nanovolt (nV)?
What is a Nanovolt?

Its ultra-small scale makes it essential for applications requiring minimal interference and precise voltage control.

GV to nV formula

Let’s take a closer look at the conversion formula so you can carry out these conversions independently, whether using a calculator or doing it manually with pencil and paper.

The giga- prefix in the International System of Units (SI) represents a multiplier of 109 (1,000,000,000) while the nano- represents a multiplier of 10-9 (0.000000001) .

So, to convert from gigavolts to nanovolts, multiply the number of gigavolts (V(GV)) by 1018 or 1,000,000,000,000,000,000.

V(nV) = V(GV) × 1018 = V(GV) × 1,000,000,000,000,000,000

$$\text{V}_\text{(nV)} = \text{V}_\text{(GV)} \times 1{,}000{,}000{,}000{,}000{,}000{,}000$$

Or remember the GV-to-nV conversion factor: 1 GV = 1018 = 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 nV

GV to nV conversion table

The conversion table below provides a handy reference for converting voltage measurement units from gigavolts (GV) to nanovolts (nV). It covers a range from 0.1 GV to 1,000 GV, allowing for easy and quick conversions between both units of measurement.

Gigavolts (GV)Nanovolts (nV)
0.1 GV100,000,000,000,000,000 nV
0.5 GV500,000,000,000,000,000 nV
1 GV1,000,000,000,000,000,000 nV
2 GV2,000,000,000,000,000,000 nV
4 GV4,000,000,000,000,000,000 nV
5 GV5,000,000,000,000,000,000 nV
10 GV10,000,000,000,000,000,000 nV
20 GV20,000,000,000,000,000,000 nV
30 GV30,000,000,000,000,000,000 nV
40 GV40,000,000,000,000,000,000 nV
50 GV50,000,000,000,000,000,000 nV
60 GV60,000,000,000,000,000,000 nV
70 GV70,000,000,000,000,000,000 nV
80 GV80,000,000,000,000,000,000 nV
90 GV90,000,000,000,000,000,000 nV
100 GV100,000,000,000,000,000,000 nV
200 GV200,000,000,000,000,000,000 nV
500 GV500,000,000,000,000,000,000 nV
800 GV800,000,000,000,000,000,000 nV
1,000 GV1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 nV
Gigavolts (GV) to nanovolts (nV) conversion table

Examples

Now, let's look at an example that illustrates the calculations required to convert from gigavolts to nanovolts (GV to nV).

Example: Measuring Ultra-Fine Energy Shifts

High-energy particle accelerators generate beam energy in gigavolts, but researchers need nanovolt-scale precision to detect ultra-fine shifts in subatomic particle interactions that influence quantum mechanics experiments.

If an accelerator operates at 2.5 gigavolts, how many nanovolts is that? You need it to analyze small voltage fluctuations affecting particle behavior in a collider system.

Solution

Since 1 gigavolt (GV) = 1018 = 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 nanovolts (nV), we can convert 2.5 GV to nanovolts by using the following formula:

$$\text{V}_\text{(nV)} = \text{V}_\text{(GV)} \times 1{,}000{,}000{,}000{,}000{,}000{,}000$$
$$\text{V}_\text{(nV)} = 2.5 \times 1{,}000{,}000{,}000{,}000{,}000{,}000 = \boxed{2{,}500{,}000{,}000{,}000{,}000{,}000 \text{ nV}}$$

Therefore, the 2.5 GV output voltage of the accelerator is equivalent to 2,500,000,000,000,000,000 nV.

To solve the problem with our calculator, follow the steps below:

  1. Enter the value in gigavolts: For this example, enter 2.5 into the From box.
  2. View the result: The converter instantly calculates and displays the equivalent value in nanovolts: 2,500,000,000,000,000,000 nV.
Gigavolt to Nanovolt Converter Example
Steps to convert from gigavolts to nanovolts with our calculator

FAQs

Is 1 gigavolt or 1 nanovolt larger?

A gigavolt (GV) is a quintillion times bigger than a nanovolt (nV). Here are the relationships between the units:

  • 1 GV = 1018 = 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 nV
  • 1 nV = 10-18 = 1 ÷ 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 = 0.000000000000000001 GV

How to convert from gigavolts to nanovolts?

To convert voltage from gigavolts (GV) to nanovolts (nV), follow these simple steps:

  • Write down the voltage value in gigavolts (GV).
  • Multiply it by the value of the GV-to-nV conversion factor: 1018 or 1,000,000,000,000,000,000.
  • The result of the multiplication is the value of the voltage in nanovolts (nV).

Why do I need to convert from gigavolts to nanovolts?

Gigavolts (GV) represent extreme high voltage, while nanovolts (nV) allow for detecting tiny electrical variations. Converting GV to nV is crucial in particle physics, aerospace engineering, quantum computing, and medical imaging to analyze subtle voltage shifts, refine system precision, and enhance diagnostics.

This conversion improves computational efficiency, scientific modeling, and performance monitoring in high-energy environments like cosmic radiation studies, superconducting circuits, and space instrumentation.

You now know how to convert voltage from gigavolts (GV) to nanovolts (nV). You can quickly use our calculator to convert between the voltage measurement units to save time for future calculations.

Gigavolt to Nanovolt Converter

About this app

Gigavolt to Nanovolt Converter

Our gigavolts to nanovolts (GV to nV) converter is a simple web app for converting voltage measurement units between gigavolts (GV) and nanovolts (nV), with explanations, formulas, examples, and tables.

Availability

You can use the calculator for free as a PWA web app online or install it locally on any modern operating system, including Android, iOS, Windows 11/10, and macOS.

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References

2 Sources

  1. ⬆️ Wikipedia contributors. (2024, December 20). Volt. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 03:40, May 9, 2025, from

    https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Volt&oldid=1264114537
  2. ⬆️ Metric (SI) Prefixes | NIST. (2010, January 13). NIST.

    https://www.nist.gov/pml/owm/metric-si-prefixes