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Maxwell to Weber

1 Maxwell (Mx) = 1.0000e-8Weber (Wb)

By KAMP Inc. / UnitOwl · Last reviewed:

Result
1.0000e-8 Wb
1 Mx = 1.0000e-8 Wb
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How Many Webers in a Maxwell?

To convert maxwell to weber, divide the maxwell value by 100,000,000 (10⁸). The formula is Wb = Mx ÷ 10⁸. For example, 5,000,000 maxwell equals 0.05 weber. This conversion takes CGS magnetic flux values and expresses them in SI units, which is necessary when incorporating historical or CGS-based magnetic data into modern engineering calculations. Transformer designers, magnetic recording engineers, and physicists working with legacy datasets all encounter this conversion. The maxwell is an extremely small unit of flux compared to the weber, so maxwell values tend to be large numbers that convert to very small weber values — often expressed in microweber (µWb) or milliweber (mWb) for practical convenience. That choice of prefix matters because most modern formulas, simulation tools, and data tables expect SI input but not necessarily raw whole-weber values. Converting cleanly makes it easier to compare old textbook problems with current design software and lab reports. It also reduces the risk of entering an eight-zero error into induction, transformer, or magnetic circuit calculations. For legacy data cleanup, that alone makes the conversion worth checking twice.

How to Convert Maxwell to Weber

  1. Start with the magnetic flux value in maxwell (Mx).
  2. Divide by 10⁸ (100,000,000) to get the value in weber (Wb).
  3. The result is the magnetic flux in weber.
  4. For more practical numbers, express in microweber: divide maxwell by 100 to get µWb.
  5. Move the decimal point eight places to the left.

Real-World Examples

Relay specification — A magnetic relay rated at 50,000 Mx
50,000 ÷ 10⁸ = 0.0005 Wb = 0.5 mWb = 500 µWb. Modern relay specifications would express this as 500 microweber.
Magnetic tape — A recording density specification of 320 Mx/cm
320 ÷ 10⁸ = 3.2 × 10⁻⁶ Wb = 3.2 µWb per centimeter. Converting historical recording standards to SI enables comparison with modern magnetic storage.
Core flux — A small transformer core carrying 200,000 Mx
200,000 ÷ 10⁸ = 0.002 Wb = 2 mWb. This is a typical flux level for a small power transformer core.
Magnetic circuit problem — A textbook gives flux as 10⁶ Mx
1,000,000 ÷ 10⁸ = 0.01 Wb = 10 mWb. Converting to SI allows you to use the value directly in Faraday's law: EMF = -dΦ/dt in volts.

Quick Reference

Maxwell (Mx)Weber (Wb)
11.0000e-8
22.0000e-8
55.0000e-8
101.0000e-7
252.5000e-7
505.0000e-7
1000.000001
5000.000005
1,0000.00001

History of Maxwell and Weber

The maxwell served as the primary unit of magnetic flux throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the golden age of electromagnetic theory and electrical engineering. Engineers designing the first dynamos, transformers, and electric motors all calculated magnetic flux in maxwells. The unit was deeply integrated into practical electromagnetic design — the concept of "lines of force" that Michael Faraday introduced mapped naturally onto maxwells, with one maxwell representing one line of magnetic force. The weber replaced the maxwell in mainstream scientific and engineering use after the SI system was adopted in 1960. However, the maxwell left a lasting legacy in engineering terminology: many older textbooks refer to magnetic flux as "lines" (meaning maxwells), and the term "kilolines" (thousands of maxwells) appears in some transformer engineering references even today. The transition was gradual, and some specialized fields — particularly magnetic recording technology and magnetic materials testing — continued using maxwells well into the 1980s.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Multiplying instead of dividing. To convert maxwell to weber, divide by 10⁸. Multiplying gives a result 10¹⁶ times too large.
  • Using the wrong conversion factor. The maxwell-to-weber factor is 10⁸, not 10⁴ (which is gauss-to-tesla). Different magnetic quantities have different CGS-to-SI factors.
  • Forgetting to apply metric prefixes for readability. Raw weber values from maxwell conversions are often very small. Express results in mWb or µWb for practical use.
  • Treating maxwell per unit length, per pole, or per turn as if it were total maxwell. Many legacy references attach extra qualifiers to flux values, and those qualifiers must be preserved when you convert to SI.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How many weber is one maxwell?
One maxwell equals exactly 10⁻⁸ weber (0.00000001 Wb). The maxwell is an extremely small unit of magnetic flux compared to the weber.
What are "lines of force" in relation to maxwells?
In classical electromagnetic terminology, one "line of force" or "line of flux" equals one maxwell. When old engineering texts say a core carries "50,000 lines," they mean 50,000 maxwell or 0.5 milliweber.
Why is the conversion factor 10⁸ and not a simpler number?
The factor 10⁸ arises from the difference between CGS and SI base units (centimeters vs. meters, grams vs. kilograms) as they propagate through the electromagnetic unit definitions. It combines the length ratio (10²) raised to various powers with the mass ratio (10³) in the specific way dictated by the dimensional analysis of magnetic flux.
Can I convert maxwell directly to microweber?
Yes. Divide maxwell by 100 to get microweber because 1 µWb equals 100 Mx. This shortcut is often the most convenient path when dealing with magnetic circuits, relay coils, or historical engineering tables.
Why do old magnetic circuit books talk about kilolines?
Older books often described magnetic flux as “lines” of force, where 1 line meant 1 maxwell. A kiloline therefore means 1,000 maxwell. The terminology is dated, but converting it into microweber or milliweber usually makes those old examples much easier to follow in modern SI-based work.
Quick Tip

A practical shortcut: to convert maxwell to microweber, simply divide by 100. This is because 1 µWb = 10⁻⁶ Wb = 10⁻⁶ × 10⁸ Mx = 100 Mx. So 5,000 Mx = 50 µWb, and 1,000,000 Mx = 10,000 µWb = 10 mWb. The maxwell-to-microweber path (÷100) is much easier mental arithmetic than the maxwell-to-weber path (÷10⁸).

Sources & References