July 12, 2012

Common Systems of Weights and Measures

COMMON SYSTEMS OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
 
METRIC SYSTEM
Metric weight
1 femtogram (fg)  =  0.001 pg
1 picogram (pg)  =  0.001 ng
1 nanogram (ng)  =  0.001 μg
1 microgram (μg)  =  0.001 mg
1 milligram (mg)  =  0.001 g
1 centigram (cg)  =  0.01 g
1 decigram (dg)  =  0.1 g
1 gram (g)  =  1 g
1 dekagram (dag)  =  10 g
1 hectogram (hg)  =  100 g
1 kilogram (kg)  =  1000 g
Metric liquid measure
1 femtoliter (fL)  =  0.001 pL
1 picoliter (pL)  =  0.001 nL
1 nanoliter (nL)  =  0.001 μL
1 microliter (μL)  =  0.001 mL
1 milliliter (mL)  =  0.001 L
1 centiliter (cL)  =  0.01 L (10 mL)
1 deciliter (dL)  =  0.1 L (100 mL)
1 liter (L)  =  1 L (1000 mL)
1 dekaliter (daL)  =  10 L
1 hectoliter (hL)  =  100 L
1 kiloliter (kL)  =  1000 L
APOTHECARY SYSTEM*
Apothecary weight equivalents
1 grain† (gr)  =  1 gr
1 scruple (℈)  =  20 gr
1 dram (ʒ)  =  60 gr = 3 ℈
1 ounce (℥)  =  480 gr = 8 ʒ
1 pound (lb)  =  7680 gr = 16 ℥
     
Apothecary volume equivalents
1 minim (♍)  =  1 ♍
1 fluidram (fʒ)  =  60 ♍
1 fluid ounce (f℥)  =  480 ♍ = 8 fʒ
1 pint (pt or 0)  =  7680 ♍ = 16 f℥
1 quart (qt)  =  15360 ♍ = 32 f℥
1 gallon (gal or cong)  =  61440 ♍ = 128 f℥

*Apothecary—used in preparation of pharmaceuticals.

†The grain in each of the above systems has the same value and thus serves as a basis for the interconversion of the other units.
AVOIRDUPOIS SYSTEM*
Avoirdupois equivalents
1 ounce (oz)  =  437.5 grains (gr)
1 pound (lb)  =  16 ounces (oz) = 7000 grains (gr)

*†Avoirdupois is used by manufacturers and wholesalers.
(Rev. 6/2012)

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