20 milliseconds is equal to 20,000 microseconds.
To convert milliseconds to microseconds, you multiply the number of milliseconds by 1,000 because one millisecond contains one thousand microseconds.
Conversion Tool
Result in microseconds:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert milliseconds to microseconds is:
Microseconds = Milliseconds × 1,000
This formula works because 1 millisecond equals 1,000 microseconds. Milliseconds are a larger unit of time compared to microseconds. So, multiplying the milliseconds by 1,000 gives the equivalent time in microseconds.
For example, converting 20 milliseconds to microseconds:
- Start with 20 milliseconds.
- Multiply 20 by 1,000 (since 1 ms = 1,000 μs).
- 20 × 1,000 = 20,000 microseconds.
Conversion Example
- Convert 5 milliseconds to microseconds:
- Take 5 milliseconds.
- Multiply 5 by 1,000.
- 5 × 1,000 = 5,000 microseconds.
- Convert 12.5 milliseconds to microseconds:
- Start with 12.5 milliseconds.
- Multiply 12.5 by 1,000.
- 12.5 × 1,000 = 12,500 microseconds.
- Convert 0.75 milliseconds to microseconds:
- Begin with 0.75 milliseconds.
- Multiply 0.75 by 1,000.
- 0.75 × 1,000 = 750 microseconds.
- Convert 33 milliseconds to microseconds:
- Take 33 milliseconds.
- Multiply 33 by 1,000.
- 33 × 1,000 = 33,000 microseconds.
- Convert 100 milliseconds to microseconds:
- Start with 100 milliseconds.
- Multiply 100 by 1,000.
- 100 × 1,000 = 100,000 microseconds.
Conversion Chart
| Milliseconds (ms) | Microseconds (μs) |
|---|---|
| -5.0 | -5000 |
| -2.5 | -2500 |
| 0.0 | 0 |
| 2.5 | 2500 |
| 5.0 | 5000 |
| 10.0 | 10000 |
| 15.0 | 15000 |
| 20.0 | 20000 |
| 25.0 | 25000 |
| 30.0 | 30000 |
| 35.0 | 35000 |
| 40.0 | 40000 |
| 45.0 | 45000 |
Use the chart by finding the milliseconds value you want to convert in the left column, then look to the right column to see the equivalent microseconds. Negative values shows conversion for negative time intervals, which may be useful in some calculations.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many microseconds are there in 20 milliseconds exactly?
- What is the formula to convert 20 milliseconds into microseconds?
- Is 20 milliseconds the same as 20,000 microseconds?
- How do I convert 20 ms to μs using a calculator?
- How many microseconds equals 20 milliseconds in scientific notation?
- How to convert time units from milliseconds to microseconds for 20 ms?
- Why multiply 20 milliseconds by 1,000 to get microseconds?
Conversion Definitions
Milliseconds: A millisecond is a unit of time equal to one thousandth (1/1,000) of a second. Milliseconds are used in measuring brief time intervals, such as in computing, telecommunications, and scientific experiments where precise timing is required. It represents a fraction of a second but longer than microseconds.
Microseconds: A microsecond is a unit of time equal to one millionth (1/1,000,000) of a second. Microseconds are often used in high precision measurements, such as in electronics, signal processing, and performance testing where events happen at extremely fast speeds. It is much smaller than a millisecond.
Conversion FAQs
Why do we multiply milliseconds by 1,000 to get microseconds?
Milliseconds and microseconds are units in the metric system of time measurement. Because 1 millisecond equals 1,000 microseconds, multiplying the milliseconds value by 1,000 converts it to microseconds. This factor arises from how the prefixes milli- and micro- scale the base unit second.
Can milliseconds be negative when converting to microseconds?
Yes, milliseconds can be negative if representing a time before a reference point, like a timestamp offset. When converting, the negative value is simply multiplied by 1,000, giving a negative microseconds value. This does not affect the conversion process but depends on the context.
Is it possible to convert microseconds back to milliseconds?
Yes, converting microseconds back to milliseconds requires dividing the microseconds value by 1,000 because 1 millisecond equals 1,000 microseconds. This reverses the multiplication done during the milliseconds to microseconds conversion.
What are common uses for converting milliseconds to microseconds?
Conversions between milliseconds and microseconds are often needed in fields like computing, electronics, and science where timing precision varies. For example, performance measurements, signal timing, or data acquisition may require expressing time intervals in microseconds rather than milliseconds.
Does the conversion affect the accuracy of time measurements?
The conversion itself doesn’t affect accuracy, it only changes the unit scale. However, rounding during the conversion (like using fixed decimal places) may slightly impact precision but not the fundamental accuracy of the original measurement.