Convert Gradian to Radian

Simple, fast and user-friendly online tool to convert Gradian to Radian ( grad to rad ) vice-versa and other Angle related units. Learn and share how to convert Gradian to Radian ( grad to rad ). Click to expand short unit definition.

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   Gradian (grad) =    Radian (rad)

What is Gradian ?

A Gradian (also known as gon or grade) is a unit of angle measurement used in some fields like surveying, engineering, and cartography. It’s an alternative to degrees and radians for measuring angles, with a focus on dividing angles into even parts for easier calculation.

Understanding a Gradian

A gradian is defined by dividing a full circle into 400 equal parts. Each of these parts is one gradian. This means:

  • A full circle equals 400 gradians.
  • A right angle (which is one-quarter of a circle) is 100 gradians.
Key Facts About Gradians
  • Relation to Degrees and Radians:

    • 1 gradian is equal to 0.9 degrees.
    • 1 gradian is also approximately equal to 0.0157 radians.
    • Since a full circle is 360 degrees, and a full circle is 400 gradians, 1 degree equals 10/9 gradians (or approximately 1.111 gradians).
    • Similarly, 1 radian is about 63.66 gradians.
  • Common Gradian Values:

    • 0 grad: Starting point, like 0° or 0 radians.
    • 100 grad: Equivalent to 90° or π/2 radians (a right angle).
    • 200 grad: Equivalent to 180° or π radians (a straight angle).
    • 300 grad: Equivalent to 270° or 3π/2 radians.
    • 400 grad: Equivalent to 360° or 2π radians (a full circle).
Why Use Gradians?

Gradians are particularly useful in applications where angles are frequently divided into quarters or decimals. For example:

  • Surveying: When surveyors measure land or set out construction projects, using gradians allows for simpler calculations when dealing with right angles or dividing an area into equal parts.
  • Engineering: Gradians can simplify the calculations involving angles that are multiples of 10, which are common in engineering designs.
Visualizing Gradians

Imagine a circle divided into four equal parts:

  • In degrees, each part is 90°.
  • In gradians, each part is 100 grad. This division makes it straightforward to work with right angles, which are common in many practical applications.
Practical Example

If an engineer needs to design a road that turns exactly 45 degrees, they can quickly convert this to 50 gradians (since 45° is half of 90°, and half of 100 grad is 50 grad). This ease of division is one of the reasons gradians are sometimes preferred in technical fields.

Summary
  • A gradian is a unit of angle measurement where a full circle is divided into 400 equal parts.
  • 1 gradian equals 0.9 degrees or approximately 0.0157 radians.
  • Gradians are especially useful in fields like surveying and engineering, where angles often need to be divided into even parts.
  • 100 gradians make a right angle, and 400 gradians make a full circle.

Understanding gradians can be beneficial in certain technical fields where simplicity and ease of calculation are important, especially when working with angles that are frequently divided into equal parts.




What is Radian ?

A Radian is a unit of measurement used to describe the size of an angle. It’s particularly important in mathematics, especially in trigonometry and calculus, because it directly relates angles to the geometry of a circle.

Understanding a Radian

Imagine a circle with a center and a radius, which is the distance from the center of the circle to any point on its edge. A radian measures an angle by looking at the length of the arc (a part of the circle’s edge) that the angle creates, compared to the radius of the circle.

How a Radian is Defined

A radian is defined as the angle created when the length of the arc is exactly equal to the radius of the circle. Here’s how to picture it:

  • Take a circle.
  • Draw a radius (a straight line from the center to the edge).
  • Now, imagine a point on the edge of the circle.
  • If you move this point along the edge so that the distance it travels (the arc length) is exactly the same as the radius, the angle formed between the two radii is 1 radian.
Key Facts About Radians
  • Full Circle in Radians:

    • A full circle is 2π radians because the circumference of a circle (which is the full length around it) is 2π times the radius.
    • This means that 360° (degrees) is equal to 2π radians.
  • Conversions Between Degrees and Radians:

    • To convert from degrees to radians, multiply by π/180. For example, 180° is π radians.
    • To convert from radians to degrees, multiply by 180/π. So 1 radian is approximately 57.3°.
  • Common Radian Values:

    • π/6 radians = 30°
    • π/4 radians = 45°
    • π/3 radians = 60°
    • π/2 radians = 90° (a right angle)
    • π radians = 180° (a straight angle)
Why Use Radians?

Radians are especially useful in higher mathematics because they make the relationship between angles and other parts of a circle more straightforward. For example:

  • In trigonometry, the sine, cosine, and tangent functions naturally work with radians.
  • In calculus, when you differentiate or integrate trigonometric functions, using radians simplifies the math.
Everyday Examples of Radians

While degrees are more commonly used in everyday life, radians are essential in fields like physics, engineering, and computer graphics, where precise mathematical relationships are needed.

Summary
  • A radian is a unit of angle measurement that directly relates the angle to the radius of a circle.
  • 1 radian is the angle formed when the arc length equals the radius of the circle.
  • Radians are especially useful in mathematics, making it easier to work with angles in trigonometry and calculus.
  • A full circle is 2π radians, which equals 360 degrees.

Understanding radians is key to mastering advanced mathematical concepts, and it’s a fundamental unit of measurement in various scientific and engineering fields.



List of Angle conversion units
Degree Radian Milliradian Microradian Gradian Revolution Arc minute Arc second Milliarcsecond Microarcsecond