picocandela to candela
Convert picocandela (pcd) to candela (cd). Use an editable luminous intensity converter, conversion formula, and reference table.
1 pcd = 1e-12 cd
Conversion formula
One picocandela equals 1e-12 candela. Multiply your value in picocandela by this factor to get candela. For the reverse conversion, divide by the same factor.
Worked example
To convert 5 picocandela:5 × 1e-12 = 5e-12 cd
Conversion table
| picocandela (pcd) | candela (cd) |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 1e-14 |
| 0.1 | 1e-13 |
| 1 | 1e-12 |
| 2 | 2e-12 |
| 5 | 5e-12 |
| 10 | 1e-11 |
| 25 | 2.5e-11 |
| 50 | 5e-11 |
| 100 | 1e-10 |
| 1000 | 1e-9 |
About these measurements
Luminous intensity is visible-light output per unit solid angle in a direction.
The base reference used here is the candela. One picocandela is 1e-12 base units; one candela is 1 base units.
Important distinctions
Candela is a directional quantity and cannot be converted directly to lumens without geometry.
Precision
The converter uses stored conversion factors and floating-point arithmetic. Results display up to ten significant digits, switching to scientific notation for very small or large values. Keep the precision of your original measurement when reporting results.
Common questions
How do I convert pcd to cd?
Multiply the quantity in pcd by 1e-12. You can also type the value into the converter above.
Can I reverse the conversion?
Yes. Use the swap button or open the candela to picocandela converter.
Reference
NIST Guide to the SI — conversion factors and prefix conventions. SI prefixes scale units by powers of ten; the dimension-specific notes above describe the assumptions used on this page.
