Magnetic Flux Density Conversion Calculator
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What is a Magnetic Flux Density Calculator Converter?
A magnetic flux density converter is a tool that converts between units of magnetic induction such as tesla, gauss, gamma, and weber per square meter. It is used in electrical engineering, physics, MRI technology, and magnetic material testing.
History of Magnetic Flux Density Calculator Measurement
The tesla is named after Nikola Tesla, who made groundbreaking contributions to AC systems. The gauss is named after Carl Friedrich Gauss, who developed methods for measuring Earth's magnetic field. The gamma (1 nanotesla) was historically used in geophysics for measuring Earth's field variations.
About This Magnetic Flux Density Calculator Converter
This magnetic flux density converter supports 11 units including tesla, gauss, gamma, weber/m², weber/cm², weber/in², maxwell/m², maxwell/cm², line/cm², line/in², and maxwell/in². It covers SI, CGS, and imperial magnetic units.
Understanding Magnetic Flux Density (B-field)
Magnetic flux density (B), also called magnetic induction, measures the strength and direction of a magnetic field at a point in space. It determines the force on moving charges and current-carrying conductors. The SI unit is the tesla (T), defined as one weber per square meter or one kilogram per ampere-second squared. The CGS unit is the gauss (G), with 1 T = 10,000 G. The gamma (γ = 1 nT) is used in geophysics.
Magnetic flux density conversion is critical in MRI engineering, particle physics, materials science, geophysical surveying, and electrical machine design. MRI scanners operate at 1.5-7 T, while Earth's field is about 50 µT (0.5 G). Permanent magnets produce 0.5-1.5 T at their surface. Converting between tesla, gauss, and practical subunits ensures proper specification of magnetic components, shielding calculations, and sensor calibration across different measurement systems.
How to Convert Between Magnetic Flux Density Units
The primary conversion is between the SI tesla and CGS gauss:
- The fundamental relationship: 1 T = 10,000 G (10⁴ gauss).
- For millitesla: 1 mT = 10 G.
- For microtesla: 1 µT = 0.01 G = 10 mG (milligauss).
- The gamma (geophysics): 1 γ = 1 nT = 10⁻⁵ G.
- Also: 1 T = 1 Wb/m² = 1 V·s/m² (by definition).
Key Magnetic Flux Density Conversion Formulas
Essential relationships between B-field units:
- 1 T (tesla) = 10,000 G (gauss) = 10⁴ G
- 1 G (gauss) = 10⁻⁴ T = 0.1 mT
- 1 mT = 10 G
- 1 µT = 10 mG = 10⁻² G
- 1 γ (gamma) = 1 nT = 10⁻⁵ G
- 1 T = 1 Wb/m² = 1 kg/(A·s²)
- 1 T = 10⁹ γ (gamma)
Worked Examples — Magnetic Flux Density Conversions
Example 1: A clinical MRI scanner has a field strength of 3 T. Express in gauss and kilogauss.
Solution:
Conversion: 1 T = 10,000 G.
Multiply: 3 × 10,000 = 30,000 G = 30 kG.
Answer: 3 T = 30,000 gauss = 30 kilogauss.
Example 2: A small permanent magnet produces 200 mT at its surface. Convert to gauss.
Solution:
Conversion: 1 mT = 10 G.
Multiply: 200 × 10 = 2000 G.
Answer: 200 mT = 2000 G = 0.2 T.
Example 3: Earth's magnetic field at a location measures 48,000 nT. Express in gauss and microtesla.
Solution:
To µT: 48,000 nT = 48 µT.
To gauss: 48 µT = 48 × 10⁻² G = 0.48 G.
Answer: 48,000 nT = 48 µT = 0.48 G — typical mid-latitude geomagnetic field.
Example 4: A geophysical survey detects an anomaly of 500 gamma. Express in nanotesla and microtesla.
Solution:
1 gamma = 1 nT, so 500 gamma = 500 nT.
To µT: 500 nT = 0.5 µT.
Answer: 500 gamma = 500 nT = 0.5 µT — a significant anomaly indicating subsurface magnetic material.
Magnetic Flux Density Conversion Quick Reference
Common B-field conversions for physics and engineering:
| From | To |
|---|---|
| 1 T | 10,000 G |
| 1 G | 10⁻⁴ T = 0.1 mT |
| 1 mT | 10 G |
| 1 µT | 0.01 G = 10 mG |
| 1 nT | 1 gamma = 10⁻⁵ G |
| 1 T | 1 Wb/m² |
| 1 kG | 0.1 T |
| 50 µT | 0.5 G |
| 1.5 T | 15,000 G |
| 1 T | 10⁹ nT |
| 100 mT | 1000 G = 1 kG |
| 5.5 × 10⁻⁵ T | 0.55 G |
Understanding Magnetic Flux Density Unit Systems
The SI unit tesla (T) is named after Nikola Tesla. It is defined as the field that exerts 1 newton of force per meter of conductor carrying 1 ampere perpendicular to the field. Equivalently, 1 T = 1 Wb/m² = 1 V·s/m² = 1 kg/(A·s²). The tesla is a large unit — even powerful permanent magnets only reach about 1.5 T, and the strongest continuous laboratory magnets reach 45 T. Subunits mT, µT, and nT cover the practical range from industrial magnets down to geomagnetic variations.
The CGS unit gauss (G) is named after Carl Friedrich Gauss. The convenient relationship 1 T = 10⁴ G makes conversion straightforward. In CGS-Gaussian units, B and H have the same dimensions (both in gauss in free space), which simplifies some calculations but obscures the physical distinction between the two fields. The gamma (γ = 1 nT = 10⁻⁵ G) is specific to geophysics, where Earth's field variations of a few nT are measured during magnetic surveys. Despite SI being standard, gauss remains widely used in the magnetics industry for permanent magnet specifications and in materials science publications.
Real-World Applications of Magnetic Flux Density Conversion
Medical Imaging (MRI)
MRI scanners are specified in tesla: 1.5T standard, 3T high-field, 7T research. But older literature and some US references use gauss. Fringe field safety zones (5 gauss line = 0.5 mT) must be calculated for facility planning.
Permanent Magnet Selection
Magnet suppliers specify remanence (Br) in gauss (US) or tesla (international). An N52 neodymium magnet has Br ≈ 14,800 G = 1.48 T. Converting ensures correct magnetic circuit design across international supply chains.
Geophysical Surveying
Magnetometers measure Earth's field variations in nT (or gamma). A mineral deposit may cause a 200 nT anomaly against the 50,000 nT background. Converting to other units for comparison with published geological data requires the T-G-gamma relationships.
Particle Accelerators
Beam-bending dipole magnets are specified in tesla (LHC uses 8.3 T superconducting dipoles). Detector magnets (2-4 T) determine tracking resolution. Design comparisons with older facilities specified in kilogauss require conversion.
Electronics & Sensors
Hall effect sensors and magnetoresistive sensors are characterized in gauss or mT. Automotive wheel speed sensors, current sensors, and compasses all require proper B-field unit conversion for calibration and specification interpretation.
Common Pitfalls in Magnetic Flux Density Conversion
The critical error is confusing B-field (flux density, in T or G) with H-field (field strength, in A/m or Oe). In free space they are proportional (B = µ₀H in SI, B = H in CGS-Gaussian), but inside magnetic materials they are very different. A ferrite with µᵣ = 2000 and H = 1 Oe has B = 2000 G internally. Another common mistake is the 10⁴ vs 10⁸ confusion: tesla-to-gauss is 10⁴, but weber-to-maxwell is 10⁸ (because Wb = T·m² and Mx = G·cm², with an extra area factor). Don't mix these. Also, beware that "kilogauss" (kG) is 1000 G = 0.1 T, not 1 T. A "15 kilogauss" MRI magnet is 1.5 T — getting this wrong by a factor of 10 could mean designing the wrong shielding.
Key Takeaways
- 1 T = 10,000 G — the essential SI-CGS magnetic flux density conversion.
- 1 gamma = 1 nT = 10⁻⁵ G — the geophysics unit for Earth's field measurements.
- Earth's field ≈ 50 µT = 0.5 G; MRI magnets = 1.5-7 T; strongest lab = 45 T.
- B-field (tesla/gauss) ≠ H-field (A/m or oersted) — they are different quantities related by permeability.
- In free space: B(T) = µ₀H(A/m) = 4π × 10⁻⁷ × H, and B(G) = H(Oe) numerically.
- The gauss remains industry-standard for permanent magnets despite SI preference for tesla.
Metric Conversion Factor Tables for Magnetic Flux Density Converter
| Units to convert | Multiply By The Number | Convert as Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla (T) | 10000 | Gauss (Gs, G) |
| Gauss (Gs, G) | 0.0001 | Tesla (T) |
| Tesla (T) | 1000000000 | Gamma |
| Gamma | 1e-9 | Tesla (T) |
| Tesla (T) | 1 | Weber/square meter |
| Weber/square meter | 0.0001 | Weber/square centimeter |
| Weber/square centimeter | 10000 | Weber/square meter |
| Weber/square meter | 0.00064516 | Weber/square inch |
| Weber/square inch | 1550.0031 | Weber/square meter |
| Maxwell/square meter | 10000 | Maxwell/square centimeter |
| Maxwell/square centimeter | 0.0001 | Maxwell/square meter |
| Line/square centimeter | 6.4516 | Line/square inch |
| Line/square inch | 0.15500031 | Line/square centimeter |
Magnetic Flux Densityconverters & it's abbreviations
| Unit | Abbreviation | Unit | Abbreviation | Unit | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| tesla | T | weber/square meter | Wb/m² | weber/square centimeter | Wb/cm² |
| weber/square inch | Wb/in² | maxwell/square meter | Mx/m² | maxwell/square centimeter | Mx/cm² |
| gauss | Gs, G | line/square centimeter | - | line/square inch | - |
| gamma | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert tesla to gauss?
Multiply the tesla value by 10,000 to get gauss. For example, 0.5 T × 10,000 = 5,000 gauss.
How do I convert gauss to tesla?
Divide the gauss value by 10,000 to get tesla. For example, 100 gauss ÷ 10,000 = 0.01 T (10 millitesla).
What is the magnetic field strength of Earth?
Earth's magnetic field is approximately 25-65 microtesla (0.25-0.65 gauss) at the surface, varying by location. This is often expressed as 25,000-65,000 gamma in geophysics.
What is the difference between tesla and gauss?
Both measure magnetic flux density (B-field). Tesla is the SI unit and gauss is the CGS unit. 1 tesla = 10,000 gauss. Tesla is used in modern engineering while gauss appears in older literature and some industries.
How strong is an MRI magnet in tesla?
Clinical MRI machines typically use 1.5 T or 3 T magnets. Research MRI can reach 7-11.7 T. For comparison, a refrigerator magnet is about 0.005 T (50 gauss).
Complete list of Magnetic Flux Density conversion units and its conversion.
- 1 tesla = 10000 gauss
tesla to gauss → - 1 gauss = 0.0001 tesla
gauss to tesla → - 1 weber/square meter = 0.0001 weber/square centimeter
weber per sq m to weber per sq cm →
- 1 maxwell/square meter = 10000 maxwell/square centimeter
maxwell per sq m to maxwell per sq cm → - 1 maxwell/square centimeter = 0.0001 maxwell/square meter
maxwell per sq cm to maxwell per sq m → - 1 maxwell/square meter = 64516 maxwell/square inch
maxwell per sq meter to maxwell per sq inch →
- 1 tesla = 1000000000 gamma
tesla to gamma → - 1 gamma = 1.E-9 tesla
gamma to tesla →
- 1 weber/square centimeter = 10000 weber/square meter
weber per sq cm to weber per sq m → - 1 weber/square meter = 0.00064516 weber/square inch
weber per sq m to weber per sq inch → - 1 weber/square inch = 1550.0031 weber/square meter
weber per sq inch to weber per sq m →
- 1 maxwell/square inch = 0.0000155 maxwell/square meter
maxwell per sq inch to maxwell per sq meter → - 1 line/square centimeter = 6.4516 line/square inch
line per sq cm to line per sq inch → - 1 line/square inch = 0.15500031 line/square centimeter
line per sq inch to line per sq cm →