Radiation dose converter
Sieverts, millisieverts, microsieverts and rem, converted both ways.
Fill in the fields and the result will appear here automatically.
Converts equivalent-dose units: Sv, mSv, µSv, nSv, rem and mrem. Keep the same dosimetric quantity and exposure period. Absorbed dose in grays, activity in becquerels and dose rate in Sv/h are outside the unit list.
How it works
Formula and logic
1 mSv = 10⁻³ Sv; 1 µSv = 10⁻⁶ Sv; 1 nSv = 10⁻⁹ Sv; 1 rem = 0.01 Sv; 1 mrem = 10⁻⁵ Sv. Multiply the input by the ratio of unit factors. These factors are exact; machine arithmetic and display are rounded. Finite nonnegative input includes zero. Small nonzero results use scientific notation; overflow or loss to zero returns an error.
Example
1 mSv = 1000 µSv; 250 mrem = 2.5 mSv. 1 nSv = 1 × 10⁻⁹ Sv, not a zero dose.
Fields and units
- Value — in the selected source unit
- From unit — list option
- To unit — list option
How to use
- — Enter a finite nonnegative dose.
- — Choose source and target units for the same dosimetric quantity.
- — Read the multiplier in the ratio row; the exposure period is unchanged.
Method and limitations
- Calculation method
- Formula and logic
- Data or methodology source
- IAEA, GSR Part 3: absorbed, equivalent and effective dose; 1 rem = 0.01 Sv
- Limitation
- Only units of the same dosimetric quantity are changed. Gy, Bq and dose rates are not converted; exposure risk or acceptability is not assessed. Displayed values are rounded.
FAQ
Why is Gy not included?
The gray measures absorbed energy per mass: 1 Gy = 1 J/kg. Equivalent dose in Sv uses radiation weighting factors. The relationship requires an exposure model, not a universal unit-conversion factor.
Can Bq be converted to Sv?
No. Becquerels measure source activity rather than dose. Dose calculation needs radiation properties, geometry and exposure conditions.
Are equivalent and effective dose interchangeable?
No, although both use Sv. Effective dose additionally applies tissue weights. This converter changes units of the entered quantity, not its physical meaning.
What about µSv/h?
It is dose rate, not dose. There is no time input here. Finding dose requires a separate model integrating dose rate over the exposure period.
Does the result determine safety?
No. A number without dose type, period and exposure conditions does not assess risk. The converter sets no medical or regulatory limits.