Convert Picoliter (pL) to Nanoliter (nL) instantly.
About these units
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.
Nanoliter (nL)
A nanoliter equals 10⁻⁹ liters and is commonly used in molecular biology, PCR (polymerase chain reaction), and analytical chemistry. Reaction volumes in high-throughput screening and micro-assays are frequently in nanoliters to conserve expensive reagents. In environmental science, trace samples of pollutants or micro-droplets in aerosols may be measured in nanoliters. Nanoliter volumes also arise in precision drug delivery systems and biomedical implants. The nanoliter represents a critical compromise between practical handling and microscopic precision, making it a cornerstone of modern microfluidic research.