Convert Cubic Millimeter (mm³) to Picoliter (pL) instantly.
About these units
Cubic Millimeter (mm³)
A cubic millimeter is the volume of a cube exactly 1 millimeter on each side, equal to 10⁻⁹ cubic meters or 0.001 milliliters. It is a very small volume, frequently used in medical imaging, microfluidics, materials science, and cell biology. In anatomy and radiology, tissue or tumor volumes are often quantified in cubic millimeters to express small but clinically significant structures. In engineering, mm³ can describe the displacement of precision components or the volume of micro-machined cavities. Microfluidic research—where entire laboratories are miniaturized onto chips—depends heavily on mm³ and smaller units, as channels and chambers hold extremely tiny volumes. Its precision scale makes it invaluable for applications requiring meticulous material control.
Picoliter (pL)
A picoliter is 10⁻¹² liters, bridging the gap between femtoliters and nanoliters. Many biological cells—such as yeast—have volumes in the picoliter range. This makes the unit particularly important in cell biology, single-cell genomics, and droplet microfluidics. Inkjet printers famously eject droplets on the order of a few picoliters, illustrating a precise and widespread technological use. This droplet size affects print resolution, color quality, and material deposition accuracy. The picoliter is also used in chemical analysis, micro-sampling, and lab-on-chip devices, where controlling tiny fluid quantities is essential for efficiency and precision.