Carat to Dram Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert carats to drams with our free online weight converter.
Carat to Dram Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Carat).
- The converted value in Dram will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Weight category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Carat to Dram
Converting Carat to Dram involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Carat = 0.112877 drams
Example Calculation:
Convert 5 carats: 5 × 0.112877 = 0.564385 drams
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
What is a Carat and a Dram?
The carat is a unit of mass used for measuring gemstones and pearls. It is defined as exactly 200 milligrams (0.2 grams).
The dram (or drachm) can refer to several units. In the context of common weight conversion (Avoirdupois system), it is a unit of mass equal to 1/16 of an ounce or 1/256 of a pound. This Avoirdupois dram is approximately 1.7718 grams.
Note: The Carat is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Dram belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Carat and Dram
The term "carat" comes from the carob seed ("keration" in Greek), which was historically used as a standard for weighing small quantities due to its perceived uniform weight. The metric carat of 200 mg was adopted internationally in 1907.
The term originates from the Greek drachma coin. It became a unit in multiple historical weight systems (Avoirdupois, Apothecaries', Troy). The Avoirdupois dram was used for general commodities.
Common Uses for carats and drams
Explore the typical applications for both Carat (imperial/US) and Dram (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for carats
- Jewelry Industry: The primary unit for weighing diamonds and other precious gemstones.
- Pearls: Used for weighing pearls.
- Note: This is distinct from "karat," which measures the purity of gold.
Common Uses for drams
- Historical Measurement: Found in older texts and recipes.
- Ammunition Reloading: Powder charges are sometimes measured in dram equivalents (though grains are more common).
- Note: The fluid dram (fl dr) is a unit of volume in the Apothecaries' system, distinct from the Avoirdupois dram mass unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Carat (ct)
How many milligrams are in a carat?
There are exactly 200 milligrams (mg) in 1 carat (ct).
How many grams are in a carat?
There are 0.2 grams (g) in 1 carat (ct).
Is carat the same as karat?
No. Carat (ct) measures mass (weight) for gemstones, while Karat (K or kt) measures the purity of gold (e.g., 24K gold is pure gold).
About Dram (dr)
How many drams are in an ounce (avoirdupois)?
There are 16 drams (dr) in 1 avoirdupois ounce (oz).
How many grams are in a dram (avoirdupois)?
There are approximately 1.771845 grams (g) in 1 avoirdupois dram (dr).
Is a dram a unit of mass or volume?
It can be both, which causes confusion. The Avoirdupois dram (dr) is mass (1/16 oz). The fluid dram (fl dr) is volume (1/8 fl oz).
Conversion Table: Carat to Dram
Carat (ct) | Dram (dr) |
---|---|
1 | 0.113 |
5 | 0.564 |
10 | 1.129 |
25 | 2.822 |
50 | 5.644 |
100 | 11.288 |
500 | 56.438 |
1,000 | 112.877 |
All Weight Conversions
Other Units from Weight
- Kilogram (kg)
- Gram (g)
- Milligram (mg)
- Pound (lb)
- Ounce (oz)
- Stone (st)
- Ton (metric) (t)
- Ton (US) (ton)
- Ton (UK) (long ton)
- Microgram (µg)
- Slug (sl)
- Troy Ounce (oz t)
- Pennyweight (dwt)
- Grain (gr)
- Quintal (q)
- Atomic Mass Unit (u)
- Pavan (India) (pavan)
- Kati (India) (kati)
- Masha (India) (masha)
- Dina (India) (dina)
- Pras (India) (pras)
- Lota (India) (lota)