1
1
T
10,000
G
1,000
mT
1,000,000
µT
1,000,000,000
nT
10
kG
1
1
T
10,000
G
1,000
mT
1,000,000
µT
1,000,000,000
nT
10
kG
Magnetic flux density, commonly called the magnetic field strength or B-field, is a core quantity in electrical engineering, physics, and materials science. It describes the intensity of a magnetic field at any point in space and is measured in two primary unit systems: the SI unit Tesla (T) and the CGS unit Gauss (G). The fundamental relationship is exact and simple: 1 Tesla = 10,000 Gauss. Despite the simplicity of this conversion, the two systems coexist across different industries, laboratory instruments, and international standards, making a reliable converter an essential tool for engineers and scientists.
The Gauss Tesla Converter supports conversion between Tesla, Gauss, Millitesla, Microtesla, Nanotesla, Milligauss, Kilogauss, and Oersted (in air), covering the full range from Earth's geomagnetic field (roughly 25–65 µT = 0.25–0.65 Gauss) to the intense fields inside MRI machines (1.5–3 T = 15,000–30,000 Gauss) and beyond.
In electrical machine design, magnetic flux density is a critical design parameter for transformers, inductors, motors, and generators. The saturation flux density of electrical steel (silicon steel) is typically 1.5–2.0 T (15,000–20,000 Gauss), which defines the upper operating limit for core materials. Core loss calculations, BH curve analysis, and magnetic circuit design all require working with flux density values — and manufacturer datasheets, simulation tools, and IEC standards may use different units.
Permanent magnet technology, which underpins modern electric vehicle motors, wind turbine generators, and hard disk drives, is characterized by residual flux density (Br) and coercive force values. Neodymium (NdFeB) magnets have Br values of 1.0–1.4 T (10,000–14,000 Gauss), while ferrite magnets range from 0.2–0.4 T. Gauss meters used in manufacturing quality control often display readings in Gauss or kGauss, while engineering simulations (ANSYS Maxwell, COMSOL) typically use SI units (Tesla).
In electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing and power quality analysis, low-frequency magnetic fields from power lines, transformers, and electrical equipment are measured in microtesla (µT) or milligauss (mG) for comparison against exposure limits. ICNIRP guidelines specify occupational exposure limits of 1,000 µT (10 Gauss) at 50 Hz, while public limits are 200 µT (2 Gauss). Instrumentation for these measurements is calibrated in µT in Europe and mG in North America, requiring frequent conversion for international compliance reporting.
Hall effect sensors — widely used in electrical engineering for current sensing, position sensing, and motor commutation — are calibrated in various units depending on manufacturer and application. Output sensitivity is often specified in mV/mT or mV/Gauss. Selecting and configuring these sensors correctly requires understanding the relationship between these units. Linear Hall sensors for current transformers may be rated in mT/A, while rotary magnetic encoders reference Gauss values for magnet selection.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, while primarily medical, have a strong electrical engineering dimension: their superconducting magnets, gradient coils, and RF systems are all designed and maintained by electrical engineers working with Tesla-scale fields. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy instruments in chemistry and physics labs use fields from 1 to 23 T (10,000–230,000 Gauss). Physicists working with particle accelerators and plasma confinement systems (tokamaks) routinely convert between Tesla and Gauss for legacy data compatibility.
The Oersted (Oe) is the CGS unit of magnetic field intensity (H-field), not flux density. In free space and air, 1 Oe corresponds to a B-field of 1 Gauss = 0.0001 T. This approximation is included for reference; it is exact in vacuum but requires permeability correction in magnetic materials. For all standard flux density conversions, the Tesla-Gauss relationship (factor of 10,000) is the primary reference used by this calculator.
All conversions use Tesla as the common base unit. The input value is multiplied by the appropriate factor to obtain the Tesla equivalent: Gauss × 10⁻⁴, mT × 10⁻³, µT × 10⁻⁶, nT × 10⁻⁹, mG × 10⁻⁷, kG × 10⁻¹, Oe × 10⁻⁴ (in air). From the Tesla value, the target unit equivalent is computed using the inverse factors. The output panel simultaneously displays Tesla, Gauss, millitesla, and microtesla for comprehensive reference. The core relationship: 1 T = 10,000 G = 1,000 mT = 10⁶ µT = 10⁹ nT = 10 kG.
Reference values for common electrical applications: Earth's magnetic field = 25–65 µT (0.25–0.65 G). Transformer core operating flux density = 1.0–1.7 T (10,000–17,000 G). NdFeB permanent magnet surface field = 0.3–0.5 T (3,000–5,000 G). MRI machine = 1.5–3 T (15,000–30,000 G). Hard disk write head = ~2 T. Neodymium magnet Br = 1.0–1.4 T. EMC power frequency exposure limit (ICNIRP public) = 200 µT = 2 G = 0.2 mT.
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16,000 Gauss = 1.6 Tesla, a typical operating flux density for a power transformer core using M6 grade silicon steel (saturation at ~2.0 T). Operating below saturation ensures linear B-H characteristics.
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3.5 milligauss = 0.35 microtesla, a typical background magnetic field level near a residential electrical panel. ICNIRP public exposure limit is 200 µT, so this reading is well within safe limits.
1 Tesla = 10,000 Gauss (exactly). This is a defined relationship: the Tesla is the SI unit of magnetic flux density (B), and the Gauss is the CGS unit. The factor of 10,000 arises from the unit system differences: 1 T = 1 kg/(A·s²) in SI = 10⁴ G in Gaussian CGS. Equivalently, 1 Gauss = 0.0001 Tesla = 100 µT = 0.1 mT.
Both Tesla and Gauss measure magnetic flux density (the B-field), which represents the force per unit charge per unit velocity experienced by a moving charge in a magnetic field. It is related to magnetic flux by B = Φ/A (flux per unit area). This should not be confused with magnetic field intensity (H-field), measured in A/m in SI or Oersted in CGS, which describes the magnetizing force independent of material permeability.
Earth's magnetic field (geomagnetic field) at the surface ranges from approximately 25 µT (near the equator) to 65 µT (near the poles), averaging about 50 µT globally. In Gauss, this equals 0.25–0.65 G. In Tesla, 5 × 10⁻⁵ T. This is an important reference value for magnetometer calibration, compass design, and evaluating magnetic interference in sensitive electronic equipment.
Gauss remains prevalent in older instruments, North American industrial contexts, and permanent magnet characterization equipment because the values in Gauss are numerically larger and more convenient for everyday magnetic measurements. A magnet measuring 5,000 Gauss is more intuitively described than 0.5 Tesla. Many Gauss meters, magnetometers, and Hall probes are calibrated in Gauss, particularly older models made before SI unit adoption became universal.
Magnetic saturation occurs when all magnetic domains in a ferromagnetic material are aligned — adding more H-field produces negligible increase in B. Electrical steel saturates at 1.8–2.1 T (18,000–21,000 G). Operating a transformer or inductor core near saturation causes nonlinearity, high harmonic distortion, and excessive core losses. Core design targets operating flux density well below saturation (typically 1.0–1.7 T) to maintain efficiency and low distortion.
The Oersted (Oe) is the CGS unit of magnetic field intensity H, not flux density B. In free space (vacuum or air), B and H are related by B = µ₀H, and numerically 1 Oe corresponds to 1 Gauss = 0.0001 T in vacuum/air. However, in magnetic materials, B (Gauss) and H (Oe) differ by the material's relative permeability. BH curves for permanent magnets plot B in Gauss on the y-axis and H in Oe or kA/m on the x-axis.
Clinical MRI machines most commonly operate at 1.5 T (15,000 G) or 3.0 T (30,000 G). Research MRI systems reach 7 T or higher. These fields are generated by superconducting electromagnets cooled with liquid helium to ~4 K. For comparison, Earth's field is about 50 µT — an MRI machine produces a field roughly 30,000 to 60,000 times stronger than the Earth's magnetic field at the scanner bore center.
Hall effect sensors output a voltage proportional to the perpendicular magnetic flux density. Their sensitivity is specified in mV/mT or mV/G. A sensor with 10 mV/mT sensitivity in a 0.5 T field would output 5,000 mV (5 V) — requiring a check against the supply rail. Converting specifications between mV/mT and mV/G: since 1 mT = 10 G, a sensor with 1 mV/mT sensitivity equals 0.1 mV/G. This conversion is critical when substituting sensors or interpreting legacy datasheet values.
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