Conversion inputs
Recent conversion history
Completed conversions appear here.
Formula used
Thickness in metres = Input thickness × Source unit factor
Converted thickness = Thickness in metres ÷ Target unit factor
Tolerance range
Minimum = Nominal thickness − Tolerance
Maximum = Nominal thickness + Tolerance
AWG diameter
Diameter in inches = 0.005 × 92((36 − AWG) ÷ 39)
Non-ferrous B&S gauge approximation
Thickness in inches = 0.324861 × 0.890526gauge
Gauge numbers are standards, not universal linear units. The selected material controls the nominal gauge thickness. Verify critical work against the manufacturer’s current specification.
How to use this calculator
- Enter one thickness or paste several batch values.
- Select the source unit and required target unit.
- Choose the material when either unit uses gauge.
- Add tolerance, actual thickness, or rounding settings.
- Select Convert thickness to display complete results.
- Copy, print, share, or export the result table.
Worked examples
| Example | Input | Conversion | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic film | 50 µm | Micrometres to millimetres | 0.05 mm |
| Sheet thickness | 1.5 mm | Millimetres to inches | 0.059055 in |
| Coating | 4 mil | Mil to micrometres | 101.6 µm |
| Glass | 0.25 in | Inches to millimetres | 6.35 mm |
| Steel gauge | 16 gauge | Standard steel to inches | 0.0598 in nominal |
Common conversion reference
| Relationship | Exact or standard value |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | 25.4 millimetres |
| 1 millimetre | 1,000 micrometres |
| 1 micrometre | 1,000 nanometres |
| 1 mil or thou | 0.001 inch |
| 1 mil or thou | 25.4 micrometres |
| 1 foot | 12 inches |
| 1 yard | 3 feet |
Frequently asked questions
What is thickness conversion?
Thickness conversion expresses one measured depth in another unit. The physical thickness remains unchanged during the calculation. Only its numerical representation and unit are changed.
What is a mil?
A mil is one thousandth of an inch. It is also called a thou in some industries. One mil equals exactly 25.4 micrometres.
Is a micron the same as a micrometre?
Yes, micron is the common name for micrometre. Its symbol is µm in scientific notation. One micrometre equals one thousand nanometres.
Why does gauge depend on material?
Gauge systems developed from manufacturing and weight standards. The same gauge number may represent different thicknesses. Always select the correct material before converting gauge.
Does a larger gauge mean thicker material?
Usually, larger gauge numbers represent thinner sheet or wire. This inverse relationship can confuse first-time users. Check the selected standard before ordering material.
How is tolerance applied?
Tolerance is entered in the selected source unit. The calculator converts its minimum and maximum limits. Gauge inputs require conversion into linear units first.
What does nominal thickness mean?
Nominal thickness is the stated or labelled dimension. Actual thickness may differ because of manufacturing tolerances. Compare measurements using the optional actual value field.
Can I convert several values together?
Yes, paste comma-separated or line-separated values into batch mode. The calculator processes up to five hundred entries. Results can be downloaded as a CSV file.
When should scientific notation be used?
Scientific notation helps display extremely small thickness values. It is useful for coatings, films, and nanomaterials. Enable it before calculating the required conversion.
Are gauge results exact?
Gauge results are nominal values from established standards. Coatings and manufacturing processes can alter measured thickness. Confirm important dimensions using supplier documentation and instruments.
What custom factor should I enter?
Enter how many metres equal one custom unit. For example, 0.002 means one unit equals two millimetres. The factor must always be greater than zero.