Convert Tun (tun) to Picoliter (pL) instantly.
About these units
Tun (tun)
A tun is a historical large cask unit commonly used in the wine and brewing industries, typically defined as 252 imperial gallons, or roughly 954 liters. It represented one of the largest standardized cask sizes in medieval and early modern Europe. Originally used for transporting wine, ale, and oil, the tun played an important role in commerce and maritime trade. Because taxes and tariffs were often levied per tun, its definition became central to economic regulation. The size also reflected the maximum volume that could be reliably transported in wooden casks without structural failure. Though obsolete today, the tun provides valuable insight into historical logistics, taxation, and the evolution of standardized container sizes in European trade networks.
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.