Lesson 1: Conversion Factors

1 kg

1000g

1g

1000mg

1mg

1000mcg

1L

1000mL

1mL

1cm³

1m

39.37in

1 in

2.54cm (exact)

1 grain

64.8mg

1g

1000mg!! important for grains to grams!!!!!

1ft

12 inches

1fl.oz

29.57mL

1 pint

473mL

1 US gallon

3785mL

1kg

2.2lb (avoir.)

1oz (avoir)

28.35g

1lb (avoir)

454g

60 minims

1 fluidram/fluidrachm

8 fluidrachms (480 minims)

1 floz

16 fl. oz

1 pint

2 pints

1 quart

4 quarts

1 gallon

20 grains

1 scruple

3 scruples (60 grains)

1 drachm/dram

8 drachms

1 oz

12 oz

1 pound

King Henry Died by Drinking Chocolate Milk

Kilo Hecto Deca base Deci Centi Mili

SI/metric

Primary system used in pharmacy and the health sciences.

Based on powers of 10.

Common units: kg, g, mg, mcg, L, mL, m, cm.

Just move the zeros.

Avoirdupois

Commercial system commonlyused for body weight and packaged goods.

Common units: ounce and pound.

Do not confuse ounce of weight with fluidounce of volume.

Apothecaries’

Traditional pharmaceutical system with mainly historical significance.

Still encountered in older prescriptions, references, and conversion exercises.

1 tsp

5 mL

1 tbsp (3 tsps)

15mL