PSL Spheres Technical Resource is published by Applied Physics Corporation — precision technologies since 1992.719-428-4042 · [email protected]
Interactive reference tool

Particle size conversion chart

Convert units without losing sight of the more important question: what size range and response can the method actually resolve?

Converter

Nanometers, micrometers and millimeters

Enter a diameter to see equivalent units.

Scale

Reference points

20 nm100 nm1 µm10 µm100 µm160 µm
DiameterEquivalentTypical technical context
20 nm0.020 µmLower end of current AP 3000-series family
100 nm0.100 µmSubmicron optical and aerosol work
900 nm0.900 µmUpper end of current AP 3000-series family
1 µm1,000 nmTransition into micron-scale family
10 µm10,000 nmLiquid counting, optical microscopy and larger-particle work
160 µm0.160 mmUpper end of current AP 4000-series family
Unit discipline

Avoid three common errors

  • Do not write “micron” and “nanometer” interchangeably; 1 µm equals 1,000 nm.
  • Do not infer certified mean from a rounded nominal size.
  • Do not infer instrument compatibility from unit range alone.
Applied Physics technical pathway

Match the standard to the measurement—not the other way around.

Send the instrument, medium, target size, concentration, certificate and packaging requirements to Applied Physics for a technical recommendation.