This article will show how to convert electric current measurement units from microamperes (µA) to nanoamperes (nA). We will cover essential definitions, provide examples, share relevant formulas, and present tables, along with answers to common questions.
Definitions of Ampere, Microampere, and Nanoampere
Let’s get started by understanding the key definitions of Ampere (A), Microampere (µA), and Nanoampere (nA). Understanding these terms will allow you to perform conversions confidently.
What is Ampere?
The ampere (A) is the SI base unit of electric current, representing the amount of charge flowing through a conductor per second.[1] It is defined based on the elementary charge (e), where 1 A = 1 coulomb per second (C/s).
"Amp" is an informal abbreviation commonly used in everyday conversation and electrical contexts, though "A" remains the official SI unit symbol.
According to SI prefixes[2], which are based on powers of 10, an ampere (1 A) is equivalent to one million microamperes (106 µA or 1,000,000 µA).
What is Microampere?
A microampere (µA) is a unit of electric current in the SI system equal to one millionth (1/1,000,000) of an ampere (10-6 A).
It is commonly used in low-power electronics, medical devices, and precision instrumentation, where small currents are crucial for accurate operation.
What is Nanoampere?
A nanoampere (nA) is a unit of electric current in the SI system equal to one billionth (1/1,000,000,000) of an ampere (10-9 A).
It represents an extremely small current level, commonly used in fields where precise measurements are necessary, such as semiconductor testing, quantum computing, nanotechnology research, and biomedical sensors, where minimal electric current variations must be accurately captured and analyzed.
µA to nA 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 micro- prefix in the International System of Units (SI) represents a multiplier of 10-6 (0.000001) while the nano- represents a multiplier of 10-9 (0.000000001).
So, to convert from microamps to nanoamps, multiply the number of microamps (I(µA)) by 1,000.
I(nA) = I(µA) × 103 = I(µA) × 1,000
Or remember the µA-to-nA conversion factor: 1 µA = 103 = 1,000 nA
µA to nA conversion table
The conversion table below provides a handy reference for converting electric current measurement units from microamperes (µA) to nanoamperes (nA). It covers a range from 0.1 µA to 1,000 µA, allowing for easy and quick conversions between these units of measurement.
| Microamperes (µA) | Nanoamperes (nA) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 µA | 100 nA |
| 0.5 µA | 500 nA |
| 1 µA | 1,000 nA |
| 2 µA | 2,000 nA |
| 4 µA | 4,000 nA |
| 5 µA | 5,000 nA |
| 10 µA | 10,000 nA |
| 20 µA | 20,000 nA |
| 30 µA | 30,000 nA |
| 40 µA | 40,000 nA |
| 50 µA | 50,000 nA |
| 60 µA | 60,000 nA |
| 70 µA | 70,000 nA |
| 80 µA | 80,000 nA |
| 90 µA | 90,000 nA |
| 100 µA | 100,000 nA |
| 200 µA | 200,000 nA |
| 500 µA | 500,000 nA |
| 800 µA | 800,000 nA |
| 1000 µA | 1,000,000 nA |
Examples
Now, let's look at an example that illustrates the calculations required to convert from microamperes to nanoamperes (µA to nA).
Example: Bioelectrical Impedance Measurement in Wearables
Wearable health monitors that track body composition rely on measuring very low currents. Converting readings from microamperes to nanoamperes allows for more precise detection of subtle changes in bioelectrical impedance.
If a wearable device records 1.25 µA, how many nanoamperes is that? You need it to accurately capture small variations for reliable health monitoring.
Solution
Since 1 microampere (µA) = 103 = 1,000 nanoamperes (nA), we can convert 1.25 µA to nanoamperes by using the following formula:
Therefore, the 1.25 µA electric current is equivalent to 1,250 nA.
To solve the problem with our calculator, follow the steps below:
- Enter the value in microamperes: For this example, enter
1.25into theFrombox. - View the result: The converter instantly calculates and displays the equivalent value in nanoamperes:
1,250 nA.
FAQs
Is 1 microampere or 1 nanoampere larger?
A microampere (µA) is a thousand times bigger than a nanoampere (nA). Here are the relationships between the units:
1 µA = 103 = 1,000 nA1 nA = 10-3 = 1 ÷ 1,000 = 0.001 µA
How to convert from microamperes to nanoamperes?
To convert electric current from microamperes (µA) to nanoamperes (nA), follow these simple steps:
- Write down the electric current value in
microamperes (µA). - Multiply it by the value of a
µA-to-nAconversion factor:103or1,000. - The result of multiplication is the value of the electric current in
nanoamperes (nA).
Why do I need to convert microamperes to nanoamperes?
Converting microamperes to nanoamperes is essential when you want to capture very small current variations with greater precision. When measurements are already in small units like microamperes, a conversion to nanoamperes provides a finer resolution that makes subtle changes easier to detect and minimizes rounding errors.
This conversion also helps ensure that your data aligns with the sensitivity levels of modern instrumentation. In fields such as biomedical sensing, semiconductor testing, and environmental monitoring, expressing values in nanoamperes can make comparisons clearer and support more accurate calibration against technical specifications.
You now know how to convert electric current from microamperes (µA) to nanoamperes (nA). You can quickly use our calculator to convert between the electric current measurement units to save time for future calculations.
