Article
A Technician's Guide to Measurement Conversions
Author(s):
Technicians can consult these charts for guidance on how to convert one unit of measurement to another.
Whether transcribing a provider’s instruction or filling a prescription, technicians are often required to convert a dosage strength or drug quantity to an entirely different unit of measurement.
While performing many of these calculations can become second nature over time, techs who need a refresher on a specific conversion can consult the following charts for guidance:
Solid Measurements
Unit A
Unit B
Conversion
Converting A to B
Converting B to A
Notes
grain
milligram
1 gr. = 64.8 mg
A x 64.8 = B
B/64.8 = A
Often simplified to “1 gr. = 65 mg”
gram
milligram
1 g = 1000 mg
A x 1000 = B
B/1000 = A
gram
grain
1 g = 15.4 gr.
A x 15.4 = B
B/15.4 = A
Often simplified to “1 g = 15 gr.”
kilogram
gram
1 kg = 1000 g
A x 1000 = B
B/1000 = A
kilogram
pound
1 kg = 2.2 lb
A x 2.2 = B
B/2.2 = A
milligram
microgram
1 mg = 1000 mcg
A x 1000 = B
B/1000 = A
ounce
gram
1 oz = 28.3 g
A x 28.3 = B
B/28.3 = A
Often simplified to “1 oz = 30 g”
pound
gram
1 lb = 453.6 g
A x 453.6 = B
B/453.6 = A
Often simplified to “1 lb = 454 g”
pound
ounce
1 lb = 16 oz
A x 16 = B
B/16 = A
Liquid Measurements
Unit A
Unit B
Conversion
Converting A to B
Converting B to A
Notes
fluid ounce
milliliter
1 fl. oz = 29.6 mL
A x 29.6 = B
B/29.6 = A
Often simplified to “1 fl. oz = 30 mL”
fluid ounce
tablespoon
1 fl. oz = 2 tbsp
A x 2 = B
B/2 = A
gallon
milliliter
1 gal = 3785.4 mL
A x 3785.4 = B
B/3785.4 = A
Often simplified to “1 gal = 3840 mL”
gallon
quart
1 gal = 4 qt
A x 4 = B
B/4 = A
liter
milliliter
1 L = 1000 mL
A x 1000 = B
B/1000 = A
pint
fluid ounce
1 pt = 16 fl. oz
A x 16 = B
B/16 = A
pint
milliliter
1 pt = 473.2 mL
A = 473.2 = B
B/473.2 = A
Often simplified to “1 pt = 480 mL”
quart
pint
1 qt = 2 pt
A x 2 = B
B/2 = A
tablespoon
milliliter
1 tbsp = 14.8 mL
A x 14.8 = B
B/14.8 = A
Often simplified to “1 tbsp = 15 mL”
tablespoon
teaspoon
1 tbsp = 3 tsp
A x 3 = B
B/3 = A
teaspoon
milliliter
1 tsp = 4.9 mL
A x 4.9 = B
B/4.9 = A
Often simplified to “1 tsp = 5 mL”
Temperature
Converting From
Converting To
Conversion
Degrees Celsius
Degrees Fahrenheit
°C x (9/5) + 32 = °F
Degrees Fahrenheit
Degrees Celsius
(°F — 32) x (5/9) = °C
A list of common pharmacy abbreviations can be found here.
