This article will show how to convert electrical resistance measurement units from nanoohms (nΩ) to gigaohms (GΩ). We will cover essential definitions, provide examples, share relevant formulas, and present tables, along with answers to common questions.
Definitions of Ohm, Nanoohm, and Gigaohm
Let’s get started by understanding the key definitions of Ohm (Ω), Nano-ohm (nΩ), and Giga-ohm (GΩ). Understanding these terms will enable you to perform conversions with confidence.
What is Ohm?
The ohm (Ω) is the SI derived unit of electrical resistance. It is defined as the resistance between two points of a conductor when a constant potential difference of one volt is applied across those points, producing a current of one ampere in the conductor, assuming no additional electromotive force is present.[1]
According to SI prefixes[2], which are based on powers of 10, an ohm (1 Ω) is equivalent to one billion nanoohms (109 nΩ or 1,000,000,000 nΩ).
What is Nanoohm?
A nanoohm (nΩ) is a unit of electrical resistance in the SI system equal to one billionth (1/1,000,000,000) of an ohm (10-9 Ω).
Nanoohms become crucial only in extreme precision fields like superconductor research, quantum computing development, or aerospace material testing, where measuring near-zero resistance down to billionths of an ohm determines success or failure of cutting-edge technology.
What is Gigaohm?
A gigaohm (GΩ) is a unit of electrical resistance in the SI system equal to one billion (1,000,000,000) ohms (109 Ω).
It is commonly used in fields such as high-voltage engineering, insulation testing for power equipment, and geophysical surveys, where measuring resistance in the billions of ohms is essential to ensure safety, performance, and reliability.
nΩ to GΩ 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 nano- prefix in the International System of Units (SI) corresponds to a multiplier of 10-9 (0.000000001) while the giga- prefix represents 109 (1,000,000,000).
To convert nanoohms (nΩ) to gigaohms (GΩ), divide the resistance value in nanoohms by 1018 (1,000,000,000,000,000,000), since 1 gigaohm equals 1018 nanoohms.
R(GΩ) = R(nΩ) ÷ 1018 = R(nΩ) ÷ 1,000,000,000,000,000,000
Or remember the nΩ-to-GΩ conversion factor: 1 nΩ = 10-18 = 0.000000000000000001 GΩ
nΩ to GΩ conversion table
The conversion table below provides a handy reference for converting electrical resistance measurement units from nanoohms (nΩ) to gigaohms (GΩ). It covers a range from 0.1 nΩ to 1,000 nΩ, allowing for easy and quick conversions between these units of measurement.
| Nanoohms (nΩ) | Gigaohms (GΩ) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 nΩ | 0.0000000000000000001 GΩ |
| 0.5 nΩ | 0.0000000000000000005 GΩ |
| 1 nΩ | 0.000000000000000001 GΩ |
| 2 nΩ | 0.000000000000000002 GΩ |
| 4 nΩ | 0.000000000000000004 GΩ |
| 5 nΩ | 0.000000000000000005 GΩ |
| 10 nΩ | 0.00000000000000001 GΩ |
| 20 nΩ | 0.00000000000000002 GΩ |
| 30 nΩ | 0.00000000000000003 GΩ |
| 40 nΩ | 0.00000000000000004 GΩ |
| 50 nΩ | 0.00000000000000005 GΩ |
| 60 nΩ | 0.00000000000000006 GΩ |
| 70 nΩ | 0.00000000000000007 GΩ |
| 80 nΩ | 0.00000000000000008 GΩ |
| 90 nΩ | 0.00000000000000009 GΩ |
| 100 nΩ | 0.0000000000000001 GΩ |
| 200 nΩ | 0.0000000000000002 GΩ |
| 500 nΩ | 0.0000000000000005 GΩ |
| 800 nΩ | 0.0000000000000008 GΩ |
| 1,000 nΩ | 0.000000000000001 GΩ |
Examples
Now, let's look at an example that illustrates the calculations required to convert from nanoohms to gigaohms (nΩ to GΩ).
Example: Semiconductor Reverse Leakage Analysis
When analyzing semiconductor devices under reverse bias, the leakage resistance can be extremely high. These high values, measured in nanoohms, are converted to gigaohms to assist in performance evaluation.
If a reverse leakage measurement in a semiconductor junction is 3,000,000,000,000,000,000 (3×1018) nΩ, what is the resistance in gigaohms?
Solution
Since 1 gigaohm (GΩ) = 1018 = 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 nanoohms (nΩ), we can convert 3×1018 nΩ to gigaohms by using the following formula:
Therefore, the 3×1018 nΩ electrical resistance is equivalent to 3 GΩ.
To solve the problem with our calculator, follow the steps below:
- Enter the value in nanoohms: For this example, enter
3,000,000,000,000,000,000or3e18into the From box. - View the result: The converter instantly calculates and displays the equivalent value in gigaohms:
3 GΩ.
FAQs
Is 1 nanoohm or 1 gigaohm larger?
A gigaohm (GΩ) is a quintillion times bigger than a nanoohm (nΩ). Here are the relationships between the units:
1 GΩ = 1018 = 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 nΩ1 nΩ = 10-18 = 1 ÷ 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 = 0.000000000000000001 GΩ
How to convert from nanoohms to gigaohms?
To convert electrical resistance from nanoohms (nΩ) to gigaohms (GΩ), follow these simple steps:
- Step 1: Write down the electrical resistance value in nanoohms (nΩ).
- Step 2: Divide it by a quintillion (
1018or1,000,000,000,000,000,000). - Step 3: The result is the value of the electrical resistance in gigaohms (GΩ).
Why do I need to convert nanoohms to gigaohms?
Converting nanoohms to gigaohms is useful when the original figures in nanoohms are excessively large and hard to interpret at a glance.
Using gigaohms transforms these numbers into a more compact and meaningful unit, making it easier to compare with industry standards and facilitate design calculations in applications such as high-voltage insulation testing, advanced superconducting circuits, and aerospace electronics.
You now know how to convert electrical resistance from nanoohms (nΩ) to gigaohms (GΩ). You can quickly use our calculator to convert between the electric resistance measurement units to save time for future calculations.
