Magnetic Field Strength Converter
Convert between different magnetic field strength units instantly with our accurate and easy-to-use tool. Perfect for electrical engineers, physicists, and students working with electromagnetic applications.
Conversion Formulas: 1 A/m = 0.012566 Oe = 0.001 kA/m = 0.012566 Gi/cm
Note: Oersted (Oe) is a CGS unit, while A/m is the SI unit. This conversion assumes vacuum or air as the medium.
About This Magnetic Field Strength Converter
Our Magnetic Field Strength Converter is a precision tool designed for electrical engineers, physicists, researchers, and students working with electromagnetic systems. It allows for quick and accurate conversions between various magnetic field strength units including Ampere per meter (A/m), Oersted (Oe), Kiloampere per meter (kA/m), and Gilbert per centimeter (Gi/cm).
Magnetic field strength (also known as magnetic field intensity or H-field) is a measure of the magnetizing field generated by electric current or magnetic materials. It’s an essential parameter in the design of electromagnets, electric motors, transformers, and magnetic recording technologies. This converter helps bridge the gap between the SI system (A/m) and the CGS system (Oersted), which are both commonly used in different applications and scientific literature.
Key Features
Scientific Precision
Our converter uses exact mathematical relationships to ensure accurate conversions between all magnetic field strength units.
Cross-System Conversion
Easily convert between SI units (A/m, kA/m) and CGS units (Oersted, Gilbert/cm) with perfect accuracy.
Real-Time Results
Get conversion values instantly as you type, with automatic handling of decimal precision and scientific notation.
Physics-Based Design
Developed with input from electromagnetics specialists to ensure proper implementation of conversion principles.
Why Choose Our Converter?
- Mathematical Accuracy: Based on the fundamental relation between A/m and Oersted (1 Oe = 1000/4π A/m)
- Educational Value: Displays the conversion formulas to help users understand unit relationships
- Versatility: Convert between four common magnetic field strength units with equal precision
- Efficiency: Save time with instant bidirectional conversions for academic or engineering work
- Responsive Design: Works perfectly on all devices from laboratory computers to mobile phones
- No Installation: Web-based tool requires no downloads or installations to use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is magnetic field strength?
Magnetic field strength, also known as magnetic field intensity or H-field, is a vector quantity that measures how strong a magnetic field is and in what direction it points. Unlike magnetic flux density (B-field), the H-field represents the magnetizing field generated by electric currents and magnetized materials. In air or vacuum, the H-field and B-field are directly proportional. The SI unit for magnetic field strength is ampere per meter (A/m), while the CGS unit is oersted (Oe).
Why are there different units for magnetic field strength?
Different units exist mainly because of historical development and different measurement systems. The oersted (Oe) comes from the CGS (centimeter-gram-second) system of units, which was widely used in physics before the adoption of the SI (International System of Units). The ampere per meter (A/m) is the SI unit. Many older scientific papers, equipment specifications, and materials data use oersted, while modern scientific work tends to use A/m. The existence of both systems necessitates conversion tools like this one.
How is magnetic field strength different from magnetic flux density?
Magnetic field strength (H-field, measured in A/m or Oe) and magnetic flux density (B-field, measured in tesla or gauss) are related but distinct concepts. The H-field represents the “magnetizing field” produced by electric currents and is independent of the medium. The B-field represents the resulting magnetic field in a material and depends on both the H-field and the medium’s permeability. In vacuum, they are related by B = μ₀H (where μ₀ is the magnetic permeability of free space). In materials, B = μH (where μ is the material’s permeability).
Are these conversions exact?
Yes, the conversions are mathematically exact based on the defined relationship where 1 Oersted equals (1000/4π) ≈ 79.5775 Amperes per meter. This is a fundamental physical relationship. The converter handles these calculations precisely, including appropriate rounding for display purposes. Note that these conversions assume vacuum or air as the medium; in other materials, the relationship between different magnetic quantities becomes more complex.
In which applications would I need to convert between these units?
You might need these conversions in various scenarios: when reading international research papers that use different unit systems; when working with equipment specified in different units (e.g., American vs. European equipment); when studying materials science or magnetic materials where properties are often given in CGS units; when designing electromagnetic devices like transformers or motors; or when comparing older scientific literature (often in CGS units) with newer standards (usually in SI units). Educational settings also frequently require converting between these systems to understand both historical and modern approaches.