A Technician's Guide to Measurement Conversions

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.