Dram to Grain Converter
Convert drams to grains with our free online weight converter.
Quick Answer
1 Dram = 27.34375 grains
Formula: Dram × conversion factor = Grain
Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.
Our Accuracy Guarantee
All conversion formulas on UnitsConverter.io have been verified against NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines and international SI standards. Our calculations are accurate to 10 decimal places for standard conversions and use arbitrary precision arithmetic for astronomical units.
Dram to Grain Calculator
How to Use the Dram to Grain Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Dram).
- The converted value in Grain 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 Dram to Grain: Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Dram to Grain involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Dram = 27.3438 grainsExample Calculation:
Convert 5 drams: 5 × 27.3438 = 136.719 grains
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.
Need to convert to other weight units?
View all Weight conversions →What is a Dram and a Grain?
Avoirdupois Dram (Commercial)
The avoirdupois dram is defined in the common weight system used for most goods:
Relationships:
- 1 dram = 1/16 ounce (avoirdupois)
- 1 dram = 1/256 pound (avoirdupois)
- 1 dram = 27.34375 grains (exactly)
- 1 dram ≈ 1.7718451953125 grams (exactly)
Symbol: dr, dr av, or dr avdp
Historical use: General commerce, precious materials, spices, ammunition powder charges.
Apothecary/Troy Dram (Pharmaceutical)
The apothecary dram (also called drachm) belongs to the apothecaries' weight system used historically in pharmacy:
Relationships:
- 1 dram (ʒ) = 1/8 ounce (apothecary)
- 1 dram = 3 scruples
- 1 dram = 60 grains (exactly)
- 1 dram ≈ 3.8879346 grams (exactly)
Symbol: ʒ (resembles the number 3, representing 3 scruples)
Historical use: Compounding medicines, pharmaceutical measurements, medical prescriptions.
The Critical Difference
Apothecary dram = 2.194 × Avoirdupois dram
This 2.2× ratio causes confusion. Historical recipes and medical texts must specify which system they use, or dosages could be dangerously incorrect.
Fluid Dram (Volume, Not Weight)
Adding to the confusion, the fluid dram is a unit of volume:
Fluid dram (imperial):
- 1/8 fluid ounce (imperial)
- ≈ 3.5516 mL
Fluid dram (US):
- 1/8 fluid ounce (US)
- ≈ 3.6967 mL
Symbol: fl dr, fl ʒ, or ℈
This is completely separate from weight drams, though historically related (1 fluid dram of water weighs approximately 1 avoirdupois dram).
1 grain = 64.79891 milligrams (mg) = 0.06479891 grams (g) EXACT
The grain (symbol: gr) is a unit of mass legally defined since 1959 as exactly 64.79891 milligrams. It is the smallest and oldest unit in the traditional English measurement systems.
Grain in Three Weight Systems
The grain is unique—it's the only unit shared identically across three different weight systems:
| System | Use | Grain Relationships | |-----------|---------|------------------------| | Avoirdupois | General commerce, bullets | 437.5 gr = 1 oz; 7,000 gr = 1 lb | | Troy | Precious metals, gemstones | 480 gr = 1 oz troy; 5,760 gr = 1 lb troy | | Apothecaries' | Pharmacy (historical) | 480 gr = 1 oz apoth; 5,760 gr = 1 lb apoth |
Why this matters: The grain serves as the common denominator linking these systems. It's the conversion bridge between everyday weights and specialized applications.
The Barleycorn Origin
Historical basis: The grain was originally defined as the weight of a single grain of barley taken from the middle of the ear (not from the ends, which are lighter).
Remarkably consistent: Medieval experiments showed barleycorns have remarkably uniform mass:
- Average: 64-66 milligrams
- Modern definition: 64.79891 mg
- Variance: Only ~2-3% across different barley varieties
Length connection: King Edward I's statute (13th century) also defined 1 inch = 3 barleycorns laid end-to-end. Thus, the barleycorn defined both length and weight!
Metric Equivalents
Precise conversion:
1 grain = 64.79891 milligrams (EXACT, since 1959)
Common approximations:
1 grain ≈ 0.0648 grams (rounded)
1 grain ≈ 65 milligrams (rough)
15.43 grains ≈ 1 gram (useful for quick conversions)
Why 64.79891 mg? This exact value comes from the 1959 international yard and pound agreement:
- 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg (defined)
- 1 grain = 1/7000 pound
- 1 grain = 0.45359237 ÷ 7000 = 0.00006479891 kg = 64.79891 mg
Note: The Dram is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Grain belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Dram and Grain
Ancient Greek Drachma (600 BCE - 300 CE)
The drachma coin: Greek city-states minted silver coins called drachmas, weighing approximately 4.3 grams (varying by region and period).
Origin of name: "Drachma" (δραχμή) derives from "drax" (handful) or "drassomai" (to grasp), possibly referring to a handful of six obol coins.
Weight standard: The Attic drachma (Athens) weighed about 4.3 g of silver, becoming a widespread weight and monetary standard.
Roman Adoption (300 BCE - 500 CE)
Drachma in Roman medicine: Roman physicians adopted Greek medical practices, including pharmaceutical measurements based on the drachma.
Galen's formulations: The physician Galen (129-216 CE) used drachmas extensively in medicinal recipes, establishing the unit in medical tradition.
Byzantine and Islamic Medicine (500-1200 CE)
Byzantine continuation: The Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium) preserved Greek medical texts, maintaining the drachm as a pharmaceutical unit.
Islamic Golden Age: Arab physicians (Al-Razi, Avicenna) translated Greek medical works, incorporating drachms into Arabic pharmacy. The dirham (Arabic coin) shares the same etymological root.
Transmission to Europe: Through Islamic Spain and Sicily, Arabic medical knowledge returned to Western Europe (11th-13th centuries), bringing pharmaceutical drachm measurements.
Medieval European Apothecaries (1200-1600)
Apothecary guilds: European cities established apothecary guilds, standardizing medicinal weights based on the drachm.
The apothecary system:
- 1 pound (lb ap) = 12 ounces
- 1 ounce (℥) = 8 drams (ʒ)
- 1 dram = 3 scruples (℈)
- 1 scruple = 20 grains (gr)
Result: 1 apothecary dram = 60 grains
Symbol evolution: The symbol ʒ (scribal abbreviation for Latin "drachma") became standard for the dram.
British Standardization (1600-1800)
London Pharmacopoeia (1618): The first official British pharmacopoeia standardized apothecary weights, including the dram at 60 grains.
Avoirdupois emergence: Simultaneously, the avoirdupois system developed for general commerce, creating a different dram:
- Avoirdupois dram = 1/16 ounce = 27.34375 grains
Coexistence: Two dram standards coexisted—apothecary for medicine, avoirdupois for trade.
American Adoption (1776-1900)
U.S. Pharmacopeia (1820): The first U.S. Pharmacopeia codified pharmaceutical measurements, adopting British apothecary standards including the dram.
Medical education: American medical schools taught apothecary measurements. Physicians wrote prescriptions using symbols like ʒ for drams.
Commercial use: Avoirdupois drams measured gunpowder, spices, precious materials, and other commodities.
Ammunition Application (1800s-Present)
Black powder charges: Early firearms used black powder measured in drams. A "3-dram load" meant 3 avoirdupois drams of powder.
Dram equivalent: With the transition to smokeless powder (1880s onward), manufacturers created "dram equivalent" ratings—the amount of smokeless powder producing the same velocity as a given dram measure of black powder.
Modern shotshells: Today's shotgun shells still reference "3 dram equivalent" or "3¼ dram equivalent" on the box, though actual powder weights are in grains or grams.
Metrication and Decline (1900-Present)
British pharmacy (1970): The UK officially abandoned apothecary weights, switching entirely to metric (grams, milligrams).
American pharmacy (1970s-1980s): U.S. pharmacy schools phased out apothecary measurements, adopting metric. By 1990, nearly all prescriptions used metric units.
Persistence:
- Ammunition: Dram equivalent ratings continue
- Historical recipes: Antique cookbooks and medical texts
- Collectors: Antique apothecary scales and weights
Ancient Origins (3000 BCE - 500 CE)
Mesopotamian seeds: The earliest weight systems in Sumer and Babylon (circa 3000-2000 BCE) used seeds as counterweights:
- Barleycorns: Small weights
- Wheat grains: Alternative standard
- Carob seeds: Larger weights (origin of "carat" for gemstones)
Why seeds? Seeds have several advantages as weights:
- Availability: Every agricultural community had grain
- Uniformity: Grains from the same species have consistent mass
- Portability: Easy to carry, store, and count
- Natural standard: Self-evident, no authority needed to verify
Babylonian system:
- 180 barleycorns = 1 shekel (~8.4 grams)
- Shekels formed the basis for Mesopotamian commerce
Egyptian weights: Ancient Egypt used wheat grains similarly, though their system developed independently.
Greek and Roman Adoption (500 BCE - 500 CE)
Roman grain (granum): Romans used grains of wheat as small weight standards:
- 1 siliqua (carob seed) = 3 grains of wheat
- 24 siliquae = 1 solidus (Roman gold coin, ~4.5 grams)
Classical pharmacy: Greek and Roman physicians (Hippocrates, Galen) prescribed medicines in grain weights, establishing the apothecaries' tradition.
Medieval England (1000-1500 CE)
Barleycorn statutes: English law formalized the barleycorn as both length and weight standard.
King Edward I (1272-1307): His statute defined:
- 1 inch = 3 barleycorns laid end-to-end
- 1 grain = weight of 1 barleycorn from the middle of the ear
Establishing the pound: The avoirdupois pound was defined as 7,000 grains, making the grain the fundamental unit.
Why 7,000? Likely evolved from trade practices. 7,000 is divisible by many numbers (1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 14, 20, etc.), making fractional calculations easier.
Troy vs. Avoirdupois:
- Troy pound: 5,760 grains (12 troy ounces × 480 grains)
- Avoirdupois pound: 7,000 grains (16 avoirdupois ounces × 437.5 grains)
- Grain: Identical in both systems (the common unit)
Gunpowder and Firearms (1300-1800)
Black powder measurement: The invention of gunpowder (China, 9th century; Europe, 13th century) required precise measurement. Early gunners measured powder charges in grains for consistency.
Why grains for gunpowder?
- Precision: Small unit allows fine-tuning of powder charges
- Safety: Overcharging a cannon or musket could cause explosion
- Consistency: Uniform charges improve accuracy
Development of firearms: As firearms evolved from cannons to muskets to rifles (1400s-1800s), grain measurement became standard:
- Musket ball: 400-500 grains (26-32 grams)
- Powder charge: 70-100 grains (4.5-6.5 grams)
Ballistics science: By the 18th century, ballistics became a science, with detailed tables relating bullet weight (grains), powder charge (grains), and muzzle velocity.
Apothecaries' and Pharmacy (1500-1900)
Apothecaries' system: Pharmacists adopted the grain from medieval medicine, using it alongside drams, scruples, and ounces.
System structure:
- 20 grains = 1 scruple
- 3 scruples = 1 dram
- 8 drams = 1 ounce (apothecaries')
- 12 ounces = 1 pound (apothecaries')
Why grains for medicine?
- Precision: Many drugs are potent at milligram doses (grain scale)
- Safety: Overdosing could be fatal; grains allowed careful measurement
- Tradition: Galen, Hippocrates used grains; continuity mattered
Common medications:
- Aspirin: 5 grains (325 mg) — "standard dose"
- Morphine: 1/4 to 1 grain (16-65 mg) — pain relief
- Digitalis: 1/60 to 1/30 grain (1-2 mg) — heart medication
Modern Standardization (1900-Present)
The 1959 Agreement: The international yard and pound agreement fixed the grain:
- 1 pound = 0.45359237 kilograms (EXACT)
- 1 grain = 1/7000 pound = 64.79891 mg (EXACT)
This ended slight variations between British and US grains.
Metrication in pharmacy: Most countries switched to milligrams for drug dosing (1950s-1980s). However:
- United States: Some medications retain grain labels (aspirin, thyroid hormone)
- UK: Fully metric in pharmacy by 1970s
Persistence in ammunition: Unlike pharmacy, the ammunition industry never metricated:
- US ammunition: Grains (dominant globally)
- European ammunition: Some metric (grams), but grains still common for export
Modern shooting sports: Competitive shooting, reloading, and ballistics all use grains:
- Bullet weight: Grains
- Powder charge: Grains
- Arrow weight: Grains (archery)
Common Uses and Applications: drams vs grains
Explore the typical applications for both Dram (imperial/US) and Grain (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for drams
1. Ammunition and Reloading
Shotshell ratings: Manufacturers mark shotgun shells with "dram equivalent" to indicate approximate velocity/power level.
Why still used? Tradition and familiarity. Shooters understand "3 dram load" means standard power, while "3¾ dram" is heavy magnum.
Reloading manuals: Some reloading data references dram equivalents alongside modern grain measurements.
2. Historical Recipe Interpretation
19th-century cookbooks: Recipes may call for "1 dram of nutmeg" or "2 drams of ginger."
Conversion challenge: Must determine if the recipe uses avoirdupois or apothecary drams (usually avoirdupois for cooking).
Modern equivalent: 1 avoirdupois dram ≈ 1.77 grams ≈ 1/3 teaspoon (for dry spices)
3. Antique Apothecary Items
Collectible scales: Antique apothecary scales often have dram weights marked with ʒ.
Medicine bottles: Historical pharmacy bottles may indicate contents in drams.
Historical research: Understanding drams is essential for interpreting 18th-19th century medical texts.
4. Pharmaceutical History
Old pharmacopoeias: Historical pharmaceutical formulas use apothecary drams.
Example prescription (1850s): "℞ Quinine sulfate ʒij" = Take 2 drams of quinine sulfate
Modern interpretation: 2 apothecary drams = 7.78 grams
When to Use grains
1. Ammunition Manufacturing and Reloading
The grain is the universal standard for bullet and powder measurement.
Bullet weight: Every ammunition box lists bullet weight in grains:
- 9mm: "115 gr FMJ" = 115-grain full metal jacket
- .308: "168 gr HPBT" = 168-grain hollow-point boat-tail
Powder charges: Reloaders measure powder in grains using precision scales:
- Typical pistol charge: 3-10 grains
- Typical rifle charge: 20-60 grains
Why grains persist:
- Ballistics tables: Decades of data in grains
- Reloading manuals: All recipes in grains
- International standard: Even metric countries use grains for export ammo
- Precision: Grain scale appropriate for small differences that matter
2. Archery
Arrow selection: Archers match arrow weight (grains) to bow draw weight:
- Too light: Bow damage risk
- Too heavy: Poor trajectory
Broadheads: Hunting broadheads sold by weight:
- 75 grain, 100 grain, 125 grain, etc.
Tuning: Archers adjust arrow weight by changing point weight (grains) to fine-tune flight.
3. Pharmaceuticals (Historical and Residual)
United States: Some medications still list grain dosages:
- Aspirin: 5 grain (325 mg)
- Thyroid medication: Grain equivalents
Medical history: Understanding grain dosages important for:
- Historical medical research
- Old prescriptions
- Classic pharmaceutical formulations
4. Jewelry and Precious Metals
Troy system: Grains underpin the troy weight system used for gold, silver, platinum.
Jeweler's usage:
- Weighing scrap: Pennyweights (24 grains)
- Gold purity calculations: Grain-based math
- Stone setting: Small gemstones sometimes measured in grains
5. Historical and Collectors' Context
Numismatics (coin collecting): Historical coins' weights recorded in grains:
- Helps identify counterfeits (wrong weight)
- Documents wear (lost grains over time)
Antique firearms: Black powder firearms measured in grains:
- "This musket took 90 grains of powder and a 450-grain ball"
6. Scientific and Educational
Teaching weight systems: The grain demonstrates the connection between avoirdupois, troy, and apothecaries' systems.
Historical science: Understanding old experiments and recipes requires grain knowledge:
- 18th-century chemistry
- Medieval alchemy
- Renaissance medicine
7. International Trade
Ammunition export: US and European manufacturers use grains globally:
- 124 gr 9mm NATO standard (worldwide)
- Even metric-preferring countries import grain-labeled ammo
Additional Unit Information
About Dram (dr)
How many drams are in an ounce (avoirdupois)?
Exactly 16 avoirdupois drams = 1 avoirdupois ounce.
This is the definition:
- 1 oz av = 16 dr av
- 1 dr av = 1/16 oz av = 0.0625 oz
How many grams are in a dram (avoirdupois)?
1 avoirdupois dram = 1.7718451953125 grams (exactly).
Practical approximation: 1 dr av ≈ 1.77 g
Derivation: 1 pound av = 453.59237 grams (exact) 1 pound = 256 drams 1 dram = 453.59237 ÷ 256 = 1.77185 g
Is a dram a unit of mass or volume?
Both exist, which causes significant confusion:
Mass (weight):
- Avoirdupois dram (dr): 1.772 g
- Apothecary dram (ʒ): 3.888 g
Volume:
- Fluid dram (fl dr, US): 3.697 mL
- Fluid dram (fl dr, imperial): 3.552 mL
Context matters:
- Pharmacy/medicine historically: could be either (check symbols)
- General commerce: usually weight
- Modern usage: rare except ammunition (weight-related rating)
What's the difference between avoirdupois and apothecary drams?
Avoirdupois dram (commercial):
- 1/16 ounce avoirdupois
- 27.34375 grains
- 1.772 grams
- Used for general goods
Apothecary dram (pharmaceutical):
- 1/8 ounce apothecary
- 60 grains
- 3.888 grams
- Used for medicines
Key difference: Apothecary dram is 2.19× heavier than avoirdupois dram.
What does the symbol ʒ mean?
The symbol ʒ represents the apothecary dram.
Origin: Scribal abbreviation of Latin "drachma" or "dragma."
Appearance: Resembles a fancy number "3," which is appropriate since 1 dram = 3 scruples.
Usage: Historical pharmaceutical prescriptions: "℞ Morphine ʒi" = Take 1 dram of morphine
What is a dram equivalent in ammunition?
"Dram equivalent" is a velocity/power rating for shotgun shells, not actual powder weight.
Historical context: Black powder shotgun loads used actual drams of powder (e.g., "3 drams of black powder").
Modern meaning: A "3 dram equivalent" smokeless powder load produces approximately the same muzzle velocity as a historical 3-dram black powder load.
Actual powder weight: Modern "3 dram equivalent" loads typically contain 18-22 grains of smokeless powder (less than 1 actual dram by weight).
Rating scale:
- 2¾ dram eq: Light/target
- 3 dram eq: Standard
- 3¼ dram eq: Magnum
- 3¾ - 4 dram eq: Heavy magnum
Do doctors still use drams?
No, modern medicine uses metric units exclusively.
Historical use: 19th and early 20th century physicians wrote prescriptions using apothecary measurements including drams (ʒ).
Transition:
- UK: Abandoned apothecary units in 1970
- US: Phased out 1970s-1990s
Current practice: All modern prescriptions use milligrams (mg), grams (g), and milliliters (mL). Drams are historical artifacts.
How do I convert historical dram measurements?
Step 1: Identify the system
- Pharmacy/medicine: Likely apothecary dram (3.888 g)
- Cooking/commerce: Likely avoirdupois dram (1.772 g)
Step 2: Check for symbols
- ʒ symbol: Definitely apothecary
- "dr" or no symbol: Context-dependent (probably avoirdupois for cooking)
Step 3: Convert to grams
- Avoirdupois: drams × 1.772
- Apothecary: drams × 3.888
Step 4: Convert to modern measure
- Grams to teaspoons (dry ingredients): ~5 g per tsp
- Grams to milliliters (liquids): depends on density
Can I still buy dram weights?
Yes, as antique collectibles, but not for practical use.
Antique apothecary weights: Available from antique dealers, often brass or bronze, marked with ʒ symbol.
Modern equivalents: Not manufactured. Use gram scales instead.
Collectible value: Complete sets of 18th-19th century apothecary weights command $100-500+ depending on condition.
Why did pharmacy abandon drams?
Multiple reasons drove metrication:
1. International standardization: Metric system adopted globally for science and medicine.
2. Safety: Multiple dram systems (avoirdupois vs. apothecary) created dangerous confusion.
3. Ease of calculation: Decimal metric system simpler than fractional apothecary system.
4. Precision: Milligrams allow more precise dosing than grains/scruples/drams.
Result: By 1990, virtually all pharmacy worldwide used metric exclusively.
About Grain (gr)
1. How many grains are in an ounce (avoirdupois)?
Exactly 437.5 grains.
This is a defined relationship in the avoirdupois system:
- 1 pound (avoirdupois) = 7,000 grains
- 1 pound = 16 ounces
- 1 ounce = 7,000 ÷ 16 = 437.5 grains
2. How many grains are in a pound (avoirdupois)?
Exactly 7,000 grains.
The avoirdupois pound is defined as 7,000 grains. This is the legal definition in both US and UK systems (since the 1959 international agreement).
Example: A 1-pound bag of bullets contains 7,000 grains of lead.
3. How many milligrams are in a grain?
Exactly 64.79891 milligrams.
This precise value comes from:
- 1 pound = 453.59237 grams (defined, 1959)
- 1 grain = 1/7000 pound
- 1 grain = 453.59237 ÷ 7000 = 0.06479891 g = 64.79891 mg
4. Why is ammunition measured in grains instead of grams?
Historical precedent and global standardization.
Reasons:
- Ballistics data: Centuries of data in grains (velocity, energy, trajectory)
- Reloading manuals: All powder recipes in grains
- International standard: Even metric countries export ammo labeled in grains
- Precision: Grain scale (65 mg) well-suited for bullet weights (2-50 grams)
- Continuity: Changing would require recalibrating every firearm manual and table
Result: The shooting industry worldwide uses grains, regardless of country.
5. Is a grain the same in troy, avoirdupois, and apothecaries' systems?
Yes, exactly the same.
The grain is the only unit shared identically across all three systems:
- 1 grain (avoirdupois) = 64.79891 mg
- 1 grain (troy) = 64.79891 mg
- 1 grain (apothecaries') = 64.79891 mg
Why this matters: The grain is the common denominator, allowing conversion between systems.
Example:
- 480 grains = 1 troy ounce = 1 apothecaries' ounce
- 437.5 grains = 1 avoirdupois ounce (different!)
6. How many grains are in a gram?
Approximately 15.43236 grains.
Formula:
1 gram = 1,000 mg
1 grain = 64.79891 mg
1 gram = 1,000 ÷ 64.79891 = 15.43236 grains
Quick approximation: 1 gram ≈ 15.4 grains (useful for mental math)
7. What does "5 grain aspirin" mean?
A tablet containing 5 grains of aspirin = 325 milligrams.
Calculation:
5 grains × 64.79891 mg/grain = 323.99 mg ≈ 325 mg
Why 325 mg tablets? Historical: Aspirin was formulated in grain dosages. When pharmacy metricated, 5 grains became 325 mg (rounded for convenience).
8. How much does a barleycorn actually weigh?
About 50-70 milligrams, depending on variety.
Modern grain vs. actual barleycorn:
- Defined grain: 64.79891 mg (EXACT)
- Actual barleycorn: 50-70 mg (varies)
Remarkably close! Medieval barleycorns averaged ~65 mg, very close to the modern definition.
Why the difference today? The grain is now a defined constant, not dependent on actual barley. This ensures global consistency.
9. Why is the grain 1/7000 of a pound?
Historical evolution, not mathematical planning.
Theory: The pound and grain evolved separately:
- Grain: Ancient seed weight
- Pound: Medieval trade weight
The 7,000-grain pound emerged from trade practices and was standardized by law (13th-14th century England).
Convenience: 7,000 is highly divisible (1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 14, 20, 25, 28, 35, 40, 50, 56, 70, 100, 125, 140, 175, 200, 250, 280, 350, 500, 700, 1000, 1400, 1750, 2333, 3500, 7000), making fractional calculations easier in pre-calculator commerce.
10. Do other countries use grains?
Yes, for ammunition and archery worldwide.
By country:
- United States: Grains for ammo, archery, some pharmaceuticals
- United Kingdom: Grains for ammo, archery (pharmacy now metric)
- Europe: Grains for ammunition exports, some domestic ammo
- Asia, Australia: Grains for ammunition, archery
Pharmaceutical use: Mostly obsolete outside the U.S. (switched to milligrams).
Why grains persist globally: Ammunition is an international market. Standardization on grains ensures compatibility.
11. How accurate do reloading scales need to be?
±0.1 grain (±0.0065 grams) minimum.
Why such precision?
- Small powder charges: 3-10 grains (pistol), 20-60 grains (rifle)
- ±0.1 grain = ±1-3% variation (acceptable)
- ±1 grain = ±10-30% variation (dangerous!)
Scale types:
- Beam balance: Manual, ±0.1 grain typical
- Digital: Electronic, ±0.1 grain or better
- Trickler: Adds powder grain-by-grain for exactness
Safety: Reloading is unforgiving. Precision scales are essential to avoid overpressure, case ruptures, or injuries.
12. What is the relationship between grain and carat?
1 carat (gemstone) = 200 milligrams = 3.086 grains.
Calculation:
1 carat = 200 mg
1 grain = 64.79891 mg
1 carat = 200 ÷ 64.79891 = 3.086 grains
Historical connection: Both derive from seeds:
- Grain: Barleycorn
- Carat: Carob seed (~200 mg)
Modern difference:
- Carat: Used for gemstones (diamonds, rubies, sapphires)
- Grain: Used for bullets, arrows, pharmaceuticals
Overlap: Small gemstones or pearls historically measured in grains; now almost exclusively carats.
Conversion Table: Dram to Grain
| Dram (dr) | Grain (gr) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 13.672 |
| 1 | 27.344 |
| 1.5 | 41.016 |
| 2 | 54.688 |
| 5 | 136.719 |
| 10 | 273.438 |
| 25 | 683.594 |
| 50 | 1,367.188 |
| 100 | 2,734.375 |
| 250 | 6,835.938 |
| 500 | 13,671.875 |
| 1,000 | 27,343.75 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Dram to Grain?
To convert Dram to Grain, enter the value in Dram in the calculator above. The conversion will happen automatically. Use our free online converter for instant and accurate results. You can also visit our weight converter page to convert between other units in this category.
Learn more →What is the conversion factor from Dram to Grain?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Dram and Grain. You can find the exact conversion formula and factor on this page. Our calculator handles all calculations automatically. See the conversion table above for common values.
Can I convert Grain back to Dram?
Yes! You can easily convert Grain back to Dram by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Grain to Dram converter page. You can also explore other weight conversions on our category page.
Learn more →What are common uses for Dram and Grain?
Dram and Grain are both standard units used in weight measurements. They are commonly used in various applications including engineering, construction, cooking, and scientific research. Browse our weight converter for more conversion options.
For more weight conversion questions, visit our FAQ page or explore our conversion guides.
Helpful Conversion Guides
Learn more about unit conversion with our comprehensive guides:
📚 How to Convert Units
Step-by-step guide to unit conversion with practical examples.
🔢 Conversion Formulas
Essential formulas for weight and other conversions.
⚖️ Metric vs Imperial
Understand the differences between measurement systems.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Learn about frequent errors and how to avoid them.
All Weight Conversions
Other Weight Units and Conversions
Explore other weight units and their conversion options:
- Kilogram (kg) • Dram to Kilogram
- Gram (g) • Dram to Gram
- Milligram (mg) • Dram to Milligram
- Pound (lb) • Dram to Pound
- Ounce (oz) • Dram to Ounce
- Stone (st) • Dram to Stone
- Ton (metric) (t) • Dram to Ton (metric)
- Ton (US) (ton) • Dram to Ton (US)
- Ton (UK) (long ton) • Dram to Ton (UK)
- Microgram (µg) • Dram to Microgram
Verified Against Authority Standards
All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.
National Institute of Standards and Technology — US standards for weight and mass measurements
International Organization for Standardization — International standard for mechanics quantities
Last verified: December 3, 2025