Nanovolt to Volt Converter

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

Definitions of Volt and Nanovolt

Let’s get started by understanding the key definitions of Volt (V) 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 billion nanovolts, or 10⁹ nV, or 1,000,000,000 nV.

Definition and illustration of a volt. — What is a Volt? 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.

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

nV to V 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) represents a multiplier of 10^-9 (0.000000001). So, to convert from nanovolts to volts, divide the number of nanovolts (V_(nV)) by 10⁹ or 1,000,000,000.

V_(V) = V_(nV) ÷ 10⁹ = V_(nV) ÷ 1,000,000,000

\text{V}_\text{(V)} = \frac{\text{V}_\text{(nV)}}{1{,}000{,}000{,}000}

Or remember the nV-to-V conversion factor: 1 nV = 10^-9 = 0.000000001 V

nV to V conversion table

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

Nanovolts (nV)	Volts (V)
0.1 nV	0.0000000001 V
0.5 nV	0.0000000005 V
1 nV	0.000000001 V
2 nV	0.000000002 V
4 nV	0.000000004 V
5 nV	0.000000005 V
10 nV	0.00000001 V
20 nV	0.00000002 V
30 nV	0.00000003 V
40 nV	0.00000004 V
50 nV	0.00000005 V
60 nV	0.00000006 V
70 nV	0.00000007 V
80 nV	0.00000008 V
90 nV	0.00000009 V
100 nV	0.0000001 V
200 nV	0.0000002 V
500 nV	0.0000005 V
800 nV	0.0000008 V
1,000 nV	0.000001 V

Nanovolts (nV) to volts (V) conversion table

Examples

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

Example: Measuring Atmospheric Electrical Activity

Meteorologists detect electrical variations in the atmosphere in nanovolts but need to convert the readings to volts for weather modeling. If atmospheric data shows a voltage of 4,500,000,000 nanovolts, how many volts is that?

Solution

Since 1 volt (V) = 1,000,000,000 nanovolts (nV), we can convert 4,500,000,000 nV to volts by using the following formula:

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

$$\text{V}_\text{(V)} = \frac{4{,}500{,}000{,}000}{1{,}000{,}000{,}000} = \boxed{4.5 \text{ V}}$$

Therefore, the 4,500,000,000 nV output voltage of the solar panel is equivalent to 4.5 V.

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

Enter the value in nanovolts – For this example, enter 4,500,000,000 into the From box.
View the result – The converter instantly calculates and displays the equivalent value in volts: 4.5 V.

Nanovolt to Volt Converter Example — Steps to convert from nanovolts to volts with our calculator

FAQs

Is 1 nanovolt or 1 volt larger?

A volt (V) is a billion times bigger than a nanovolt (nV). Here are the relationships between the units:

1 V = 10⁹ = 1,000,000,000 nV
1 nV = 10^-9 = 1 ÷ 1,000,000,000 = 0.000000001 V

How to convert from nanovolts to volts?

To convert voltage from nanovolts (nV) to volts (V), follow these simple steps:

Write down the voltage value in nanovolts (nV).
Multiply it by the value of the nV-to-V conversion factor: 10^-9 or 0.000000001.
The result of the multiplication is the value of the voltage in volts (V).

Why do I need to convert from nanovolts to volts?

Nanovolts (nV) represent extremely small voltage values, while volts (V) provide a more practical scale for measurement and analysis. Many industries, including physics, aerospace, and medical research, require voltage values in volts for standardization, readability, and compatibility across systems.

Converting to volts simplifies calculations, improves instrument accuracy, and ensures proper functionality in various applications. Whether analyzing subatomic signals, calibrating sensors, or processing electrical data, using volts instead of nanovolts makes measurements clearer and easier to compare.

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