Grain to Slug Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert grains to slugs with our free online weight converter.
Grain to Slug Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Grain).
- The converted value in Slug 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 Grain to Slug
Converting Grain to Slug involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Grain = 0.00000444014 slugsExample Calculation:
Convert 5 grains: 5 × 0.00000444014 = 0.0000222007 slugs
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 Grain and a Slug?
The grain (gr) is a unit of mass in the traditional English weight systems (Avoirdupois, Troy, and Apothecaries'). It was originally based on the weight of a single grain of barley. It is defined as exactly 64.79891 milligrams (or 1/7000 of an avoirdupois pound).
The slug is a unit of mass in the Foot-Pound-Second (FPS) system of units, primarily used in Imperial and US customary systems. It is defined as the mass that accelerates by 1 foot per second squared (1 ft/s²) when a force of one pound-force (lbf) is exerted on it. It's approximately 14.5939 kilograms.
Note: The Grain is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Slug belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Grain and Slug
The grain is one of the oldest units of mass, dating back to antiquity, using seeds (like barley or wheat) as weight standards. It formed the legal basis for English weight systems and remains defined in terms of metric units today.
The term "slug" was coined by Arthur Mason Worthington around 1900. It was derived from the concept of inertia (sluggishness) and designed to simplify calculations in Newtonian mechanics (F=ma) when using imperial units of force (lbf) and acceleration (ft/s²).
Common Uses for grains and slugs
Explore the typical applications for both Grain (imperial/US) and Slug (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for grains
- Ammunition: Measuring the mass of bullets and gunpowder charges.
- Archery: Measuring the mass of arrows and arrowheads.
- Medicine & Pharmacy: Historically used in the apothecaries' system; sometimes still used for measuring dosage of certain older medications (e.g., aspirin).
- Jewelry: Used in the troy system (24 grains = 1 pennyweight).
- Reloading: Handloading ammunition requires precise measurement in grains.
Common Uses for slugs
- Engineering (primarily aerospace and dynamics): Used in calculations involving force, mass, and acceleration within the Imperial system.
- Physics Education: Sometimes used when teaching mechanics with Imperial units.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Grain (gr)
How many grains are in an ounce (avoirdupois)?
There are 437.5 grains (gr) in 1 avoirdupois ounce (oz).
How many grains are in a pound (avoirdupois)?
There are 7,000 grains (gr) in 1 avoirdupois pound (lb).
How many milligrams are in a grain?
There are exactly 64.79891 milligrams (mg) in 1 grain (gr).
About Slug (sl)
How is the slug defined?
It's defined by Newton's second law (F=ma). 1 slug = 1 lbf / (1 ft/s²).
How many pounds-mass are in a slug?
One slug is approximately equal to 32.174 pounds-mass (lbm). This value corresponds to the standard acceleration due to gravity (g) in ft/s².
Why is the slug unit used?
It simplifies calculations in the F=ma formula when using pounds-force (lbf) and feet/second² (ft/s²) for acceleration, avoiding the need for a gravitational constant (g) in the equation.
Conversion Table: Grain to Slug
| Grain (gr) | Slug (sl) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0 |
| 5 | 0 |
| 10 | 0 |
| 25 | 0 |
| 50 | 0 |
| 100 | 0 |
| 500 | 0.002 |
| 1,000 | 0.004 |
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)
- Carat (ct)
- Troy Ounce (oz t)
- Pennyweight (dwt)
- Dram (dr)
- Quintal (q)
- Atomic Mass Unit (u)
- Pavan (India) (pavan)
- Kati (India) (kati)
- Masha (India) (masha)
- Dina (India) (dina)
- Pras (India) (pras)
- Lota (India) (lota)