Million vs. Billion vs. Trillion

Visual representation of how each level multiplies by 1,000, adding 3 zeros each time

We hear the words million, billion, and trillion quite a bit. And we know that a million is a lot, a billion is a whole lot more, and trillion is even more than that.

But here's a good way to see how big the difference actually is.

How long is a million seconds? ​

First, let me ask you a question: How long do you think a million seconds is? In terms of days, weeks, years, decades, or whatever.

Turns out it's 11.5 days. That's it. Less than two weeks.

How long is a billion seconds? ​

Now, how about a billion?

A billion seconds is 31.7 years.

So a million seconds ago was last week, and a billion seconds ago was 1993.

How long is a trillion seconds? ​

Okay, last one. How long do you think a trillion seconds is?

A trillion seconds is 31,689 years.

A trillion seconds ago, humans were still in the Stone Age. Writing hadn't been invented. Agriculture hadn't been invented. We were hunter-gatherers using basic tools.

The structure and higher levels ​

As you can see in the image, the pattern here is to multiplication by 1,000—which adds three zeros. Here are the next few levels.

Name	Zeros	Scientific
One	0	10⁰
Thousand	3	10³
Million	6	10⁶
Billion	9	10⁹
Trillion	12	10¹²
Quadrillion	15	10¹⁵
Quintillion	18	10¹⁸
Sextillion	21	10²¹
Septillion	24	10²⁴
Octillion	27	10²⁷
Nonillion	30	10³⁰
Decillion	33	10³³
Undecillion	36	10³⁶

The takeaway ​

1. Big numbers are difficult for the human brain to intuitively process
2. As you go up, you're just multiplying by 1,000 and adding three zeros