Geological grain-size phi conversion calculator

Calculate phi value and diameter with your own figures.

Your numbers

Use the units shown. Results update as you change valid inputs.

Use phi value and diameter to compare changes to your inputs. The method and limits below explain the scope.

Examples

Examples

Try the starting example

Diameter mm or phi value
0.25
Input: 0 diameter mm; 1 phi
0
Phi value
2
Diameter (mm)
0.25

Try another scenario

Diameter mm or phi value
0.5
Input: 0 diameter mm; 1 phi
0
Phi value
1
Diameter (mm)
0.5
Calculation method

Calculation method

Phi value

phi=−log2(diameter in mm).

Diameter (mm)

diameter=2^−phi.

Symbols and units
a
Diameter mm or phi value
b
Input: 0 diameter mm; 1 phi

Use the units shown. A list keeps the order in which you enter its values. The symbol ^ means “raised to the power of”.

Assumptions & limits

Assumptions & limits

  • Particle diameter or phi. Returns Equivalent logarithmic size measure. All coefficients and observations are user supplied; results describe only the stated mathematical model. Quantities are deterministic calculations from supplied observations and assumptions; no external data is fetched. Supported limits: Finite inputs only; numeric fields bounded as labelled. Lists and JSON records are limited to 256 entries unless a stricter tool bound is stated. No automatic design approval, legal conclusion, treatment recommendation or safety certification. Phi input is restricted to −50..50 to avoid underflow and unsupported particle scales. Diameter mm or phi value: minimum None, maximum 1000000000000.0. Input: 0 diameter mm; 1 phi: minimum 0, maximum 1.
Are these inputs private?

These calculations run in your browser. A shared link contains the values you choose to share. Only questions submitted to the separate AI finder are sent to OpenAI.

Share this page
Share this calculator

Leave unchecked to share the page without your entered values.