convertimate Numerical aperture

Resolution in nanometers to numerical aperture

Type a value in nm to get it in NA instantly.

0.6501NA

That's about the same as a 40× objective. It can separate detail down to about 423 nm.

What it means

How fine can it see?

Resolution figures use green light at 550 nm and the Abbe limit. Shorter wavelengths resolve finer, which is why electron microscopes exist.

The math

How to convert nm to NA

Resolution and aperture are reciprocals through the wavelength: resolution = λ ÷ 2NA, which at 550 nm is 275 ÷ NA nanometers. The collection angle is arcsin(NA).

Example: 423 nm = 0.650118 NA.

Every unit

Your aperture in every unit

Tables

nm to NA conversion table

nm to NA conversion table
nmNA
196 nm1.40306 NA
220 nm1.25 NA
289 nm0.951557 NA
324 nm0.848765 NA
367 nm0.749319 NA
423 nm0.650118 NA
688 nm0.399709 NA
1,100 nm0.25 NA
2,750 nm0.1 NA
6,880 nm0.0399709 NA
NA to nm conversion table
NA to nm conversion table
NAnm
0.04 NA6,875 nm
0.1 NA2,750 nm
0.25 NA1,100 nm
0.4 NA687.5 nm
0.65 NA423.077 nm
0.75 NA366.667 nm
0.85 NA323.529 nm
0.95 NA289.474 nm
1.25 NA220 nm
1.4 NA196.429 nm

Quick answers

Quick answers

How many NA is 1 nm?
1 nm is 275 NA.
How many NA is 10 nm?
10 nm is 27.5 NA.
How many NA is 423 nm?
423 nm is 0.650118 NA.

The units

About these units

Resolution in nanometers (nm)

The finest detail it can separate, by the Abbe limit.

Numerical aperture (NA)

The sine of the collection half-angle, times the refractive index.

Learn more about aperture units

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