You can find multiple measurement units describing magnetic performance.
It can be confusing for you to understand their differences.
This beginner’s guide explains the 4 most common magnet measurement units.
Discover how to compare units and convert between them.
If you’re new to magnets, this post is for you.
Let’s get started.
Gauss
This is the cgs unit of magnetic flux density, which is equivalent to one maxwell per square centimeter, where a maxwell is the cgs unit of magnetic flux.
One gauss is equal to 10^-4 tesla.
Gauss is an older unit that is still used for smaller magnets, such as those used in compasses or magnetometers.
Tesla
This is the SI unit of magnetic flux density, which is the amount of magnetic field per unit area.
One tesla is equal to one weber per square meter, where a weber is the SI unit of magnetic flux.
A tesla is a very large unit, so smaller units such as millitesla (mT) or microtesla (µT) are often used for practical purposes.
For example, the Earth’s magnetic field ranges from 20 to 80 µT depending on the location.
Oersted
This is the cgs unit of magnetic field strength, which is the amount of force exerted by a magnetic field on a unit magnetic pole.
One oersted is equal to 1000/(4π) ampere per meter, where an ampere is the SI unit of electric current.
Oersted is used to measure the coercivity of a magnet, which is the resistance to demagnetization by external fields or temperature changes.
Ampere
This is the SI unit of magnetomotive force, which is the potential difference that drives a magnetic flux through a magnetic circuit.
One ampere-turn is equal to one ampere of current flowing through one turn of a coil.
Ampere-turns per meter are used to measure the magnetizing force of a magnet, which is the amount of current needed to produce a certain magnetic field.
Conclusion
Now you’ve finished reading this beginner’s guide on magnet measurement units.
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