Gram to Dram Converter
Convert grams to drams with our free online weight converter.
Quick Answer
1 Gram = 0.564383 drams
Formula: Gram × conversion factor = Dram
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.
Gram to Dram Calculator
How to Use the Gram to Dram Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Gram).
- 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 Gram to Dram: Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Gram to Dram involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Gram = 0.564383 dramsExample Calculation:
Convert 5 grams: 5 × 0.564383 = 2.82191 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.
Need to convert to other weight units?
View all Weight conversions →What is a Gram and a Dram?
The gram (symbol: g) is a unit of mass equal to exactly one-thousandth of a kilogram (1/1000 kg or 0.001 kg). It's also equal to exactly 1,000 milligrams.
The gram is part of the International System of Units (SI) and is derived from the kilogram, the SI base unit for mass.
Mathematical Relationships
1 gram equals:
- 1,000 milligrams (mg)
- 0.001 kilograms (kg)
- 0.000001 metric tons (tonnes)
- 0.035274 ounces (oz)
- 0.00220462 pounds (lb)
Key conversion:
- 1 ounce = 28.3495 grams (this is the most common gram-to-imperial conversion)
Why Grams?
While the kilogram is the official SI base unit for mass, grams are more practical for everyday measurements:
Perfect for human-scale objects: Most food ingredients, medications, and small items fall naturally into the 1-1000 gram range, avoiding the need for decimal points.
Avoids decimal confusion: "250 grams of flour" is clearer than "0.25 kilograms of flour" for most people.
Universal adoption: Used in 195+ countries for cooking, nutrition labels, postal services, and commerce.
Scientific convenience: Laboratory measurements often use grams for reagents, samples, and specimens.
Historical Water-Based Definition
Original elegance: The gram was originally defined as the mass of 1 cubic centimeter (1 cm³) of pure water at maximum density (approximately 4°C).
Beautiful interconnection:
- 1 gram of water = 1 cubic centimeter = 1 milliliter
- 1 kilogram of water = 1 liter = 1,000 cubic centimeters
This made conversions between mass and volume trivial for water, the most common substance on Earth.
Modern definition: Since 2019, the gram is defined through the kilogram, which is now defined by fixing the numerical value of the Planck constant. This ties the gram to fundamental physics constants rather than physical objects or substances.
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).
Note: The Gram is part of the metric (SI) system, primarily used globally in science and trade. The Dram belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Gram and Dram
French Revolution Origins: 1790s
Revolutionary Rationalization: The gram was born from the French Revolution's ambition to replace the chaotic medieval system of weights with a rational, decimal-based system.
Name Etymology: The word "gram" derives from the Late Latin "gramma" (meaning "small weight"), which came from the Greek "grámma" (γράμμα), meaning "letter" or "small weight."
1791: The Water Standard: French scientists defined the gram as the mass of one cubic centimeter (1 cm³) of pure water at its maximum density (approximately 4°C or 39.2°F).
Why water? Water is universally available, easily purified, and has predictable properties. This made the metric system reproducible anywhere in the world without needing reference objects.
April 7, 1795: Official Adoption: France officially adopted the metric system, including the gram as the fundamental unit of small mass measurements.
19th Century: Global Spread
1799: Kilogram Prototype: The French created the Kilogramme des Archives, a platinum cylinder serving as the physical definition of the kilogram (and thus the gram as 1/1000 of it).
1875: Metre Convention: The Treaty of the Metre established international cooperation on measurement standards. Representatives from 17 nations (including the United States) signed the treaty in Paris.
1889: International Prototype Kilogram (IPK): A new platinum-iridium cylinder was crafted and stored in Paris as the world's official kilogram. The gram remained defined as 1/1000 of this artifact.
Scientific Adoption: Throughout the 1800s, scientists worldwide embraced grams for laboratory measurements, making it the standard for chemistry, biology, and physics.
20th Century: Universal Standard
Post-WWII Metrication: After World War II, most countries transitioned to the metric system for trade, science, and daily life. The gram became the global standard for food labeling, recipes, and commerce.
CGS System: The centimeter-gram-second (CGS) system was widely used in physics until the 1960s, elevating the gram to fundamental status in scientific equations.
1960: SI System Established: The International System of Units (SI) formalized the kilogram as the base unit, with the gram as a derived unit (0.001 kg).
2019: The New SI Redefinition
May 20, 2019: Historic Change: The kilogram was redefined based on the Planck constant (a fundamental constant of quantum mechanics) rather than the physical prototype in Paris.
Why the change? The International Prototype Kilogram was losing mass over time (about 50 micrograms per century relative to copies). A definition based on physics constants ensures eternal stability.
Impact on grams: The gram's definition automatically changed to align with the new kilogram definition, now tied to fundamental physics rather than a physical object.
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
Common Uses and Applications: grams vs drams
Explore the typical applications for both Gram (metric) and Dram (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for grams
Cooking and Baking Worldwide
European and Global Standard: Outside the United States, recipes almost universally use grams:
- "250g flour"
- "150g sugar"
- "50g butter"
- "2g salt"
Precision Baking: Professional bakers worldwide prefer grams because:
- Eliminates volume measurement inconsistencies (scooped vs. sifted flour)
- Provides repeatable results
- Allows accurate scaling (double recipe = double all gram measurements)
- Avoids confusion between liquid and dry measures
Kitchen Scales: Digital kitchen scales in metric countries display grams as the primary unit, with tare functions for zeroing containers.
Nutrition and Food Labels
Global Nutrition Facts: Nutrition labels worldwide show values per 100 grams of product:
- Energy: calories or kilojoules per 100g
- Protein: grams per 100g
- Fat: grams per 100g
- Carbohydrates: grams per 100g
- Sodium: milligrams per 100g
US Nutrition Facts: American labels show grams for macronutrients:
- "Serving Size: 28g (about 1 oz)"
- "Total Fat 8g"
- "Protein 5g"
- "Total Carbohydrate 20g"
Dietary Tracking: People counting macros or calories track intake in grams:
- Protein goal: 150 grams per day
- Carbohydrate limit: 50 grams per day (low-carb diet)
- Fat target: 70 grams per day
Scientific and Laboratory Use
Chemistry: Chemical reactions measured in grams:
- "Weigh 25.00 grams of sodium chloride"
- "Add 5.0 grams of catalyst"
- Molar mass expressed as grams per mole (g/mol)
Biology: Biological samples and reagents:
- Tissue samples: 100-500 mg (0.1-0.5 grams)
- Protein concentration: µg/mL (micrograms per milliliter)
- DNA yield: nanograms to micrograms
Physics: Mass measurements in experiments:
- Gravitational experiments measure mass in grams
- Momentum calculations (kg·m/s, converted from grams)
- Density measurements (g/cm³)
Precious Metals and Jewelry
Gold and Silver Trading: Bullion and coins sold by gram weight:
- "1g gold bar"
- "5g silver round"
- "100g gold bullion bar"
Jewelry Manufacturing: Gold and silver priced by weight:
- 14K gold ring: 4.2 grams × $45/gram = $189
- Sterling silver necklace: 15 grams × $0.80/gram = $12
Purity and Karats: Gold content calculated by weight:
- 18K gold = 75% pure gold by weight
- 10-gram 18K gold ring contains 7.5 grams pure gold
Fitness and Bodybuilding
Protein Intake: Athletes track daily protein in grams:
- Bodybuilder goal: 150-200 grams protein per day
- Endurance athlete: 100-120 grams protein per day
- General fitness: 1.6-2.2 grams per kilogram body weight
Supplement Servings:
- Whey protein powder: 30 grams per scoop
- Creatine monohydrate: 5 grams per day
- BCAAs: 5-10 grams pre/post workout
- Glutamine: 5 grams per serving
Macro Tracking: Fitness apps track grams of protein, carbs, and fat consumed daily.
Drug Dosing and Pharmaceuticals
Medication Doses: Prescriptions specify doses in milligrams (mg) or grams:
- "Take 1 gram (1,000mg) of amoxicillin"
- "500mg tablet, take two for 1g dose"
Over-the-Counter: OTC medications use grams/milligrams:
- Acetaminophen: 500mg per tablet
- Maximum daily dose: 4 grams (4,000mg)
Precision Matters: Medication dosing requires extreme precision—confusing grams and milligrams can be fatal (1,000× error).
When to Use 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
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.
Conversion Table: Gram to Dram
| Gram (g) | Dram (dr) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.282 |
| 1 | 0.564 |
| 1.5 | 0.847 |
| 2 | 1.129 |
| 5 | 2.822 |
| 10 | 5.644 |
| 25 | 14.11 |
| 50 | 28.219 |
| 100 | 56.438 |
| 250 | 141.096 |
| 500 | 282.192 |
| 1,000 | 564.383 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Gram to Dram?
To convert Gram to Dram, enter the value in Gram 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 Gram to Dram?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Gram and Dram. 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 Dram back to Gram?
Yes! You can easily convert Dram back to Gram by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Dram to Gram converter page. You can also explore other weight conversions on our category page.
Learn more →What are common uses for Gram and Dram?
Gram and Dram 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) • Gram to Kilogram
- Milligram (mg) • Gram to Milligram
- Pound (lb) • Gram to Pound
- Ounce (oz) • Gram to Ounce
- Stone (st) • Gram to Stone
- Ton (metric) (t) • Gram to Ton (metric)
- Ton (US) (ton) • Gram to Ton (US)
- Ton (UK) (long ton) • Gram to Ton (UK)
- Microgram (µg) • Gram to Microgram
- Carat (ct) • Gram to Carat
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