Radiation Activity & Absorbed Dose Converter
Convert between nuclear source activity (Becquerel Bq, Curie Ci), absorbed radiation dose (Gray Gy, rad), equivalent biological dose (Sievert Sv, rem, mSv), and ionizing exposure (Roentgen R) with an interactive risk meter SVG.
7 Units Available
| Quantity / Unit | Symbol | Converted Value | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sievert | Sv | 550 | |
| Millisievert | mSv | 550,000 | |
| Microsievert | μSv | 550,000,000 | |
| Roentgen Equivalent Man (rem) | rem | 55,000 | |
| Millirem | mrem | 55,000,000 | |
| Gray (Absorbed Dose, Q=1) | Gy | 550 | |
| Rad (Absorbed Dose) | rad | 55,000 |
What is Radiation Activity and Dosimetry?
Nuclear radioactivity measures spontaneous nuclear decays per second, with the SI unit Becquerel ($1\,\text{Bq} = 1\,\text{decay/s}$) and historical unit Curie ($1\,\text{Ci} = 3.7 \times 10^{10}\,\text{Bq}$).
Absorbed physical dose measures ionizing energy deposited per unit mass ($1\,\text{Gray (Gy)} = 1\,\text{J/kg} = 100\,\text{rad}$). Equivalent biological dose factors in radiation weighting (alpha, beta, gamma): $1\,\text{Sievert (Sv)} = 100\,\text{rem}$. Typical annual natural background radiation is 2.4 to 3.0 mSv.
Formula & Step-by-Step Calculation
Relationship between radiological source activity, absorbed dose, and human biological dose equivalent.
Worked Step-by-Step Examples
Convert a 2.5 mSv diagnostic CT scan dose to rem, microSieverts, and rad (gamma radiation).
Common Real-World & Academic Use Cases
- ✓ Medical radiology and radiation oncology treatment planning in Gray and Sieverts
- ✓ Nuclear power plant health physics occupational radiation dosimetry monitoring
- ✓ Radiocarbon dating and nuclear isotope inventory tracking in Becquerel and Curies
- ✓ Aviation cosmic ray exposure and space mission astronaut radiation shielding
How to Use the Radiation Activity & Absorbed Dose Converter
Select Category
Choose Activity (Bq, Ci), Absorbed Dose (Gy, rad), or Biological Dose (Sv, rem).
Enter Dose
Input numerical dose.
Examine Safety Thresholds
Compare against dental X-rays (0.005 mSv), annual background (3 mSv), and occupational limits (20 mSv/yr).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the annual occupational radiation dose limit?
The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommends an occupational limit of 20 mSv per year averaged over 5 years (with no single year exceeding 50 mSv).