Milligram to Slug Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert milligrams to slugs with our free online weight converter.
Milligram to Slug Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Milligram).
- 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 Milligram to Slug
Converting Milligram to Slug involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Milligram = 6.85218e-8 slugsExample Calculation:
Convert 5 milligrams: 5 × 6.85218e-8 = 3.42609e-7 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 Milligram and a Slug?
The milligram is a unit of mass in the metric system equal to one-thousandth of a gram (1/1000 g) or one-millionth of a kilogram (1/1,000,000 kg). It is commonly used for measuring very small quantities.
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 Milligram is part of the metric (SI) system, primarily used globally in science and trade. The Slug belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Milligram and Slug
Like the gram, the milligram's definition is derived directly from the kilogram. Its use became prevalent with the need for precise measurements in science and medicine as the metric system was adopted globally.
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 milligrams and slugs
Explore the typical applications for both Milligram (metric) and Slug (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for milligrams
- Pharmaceuticals: Measuring the dosage of medications, pills, and active ingredients in drugs.
- Scientific Research: Common unit for mass measurements in chemistry labs, biology, and physics experiments for very small quantities.
- Nutrition & Supplements: Used for labeling the content of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in dietary supplements.
- Precision Manufacturing: Weighing very lightweight items like microelectronic components, fine powders, or precious materials.
- Analytical Chemistry: Standard unit for quantifying trace elements and compounds in samples.
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 Milligram (mg)
How many milligrams are in a gram?
There are 1,000 milligrams (mg) in 1 gram (g).
Is the milligram used in everyday life?
Its most common everyday use is in medication dosages and supplement information. It's less common for general weighing compared to grams or kilograms.
What does 'milli' mean in milligram?
The prefix 'milli' denotes one-thousandth (1/1000).
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: Milligram to Slug
| Milligram (mg) | Slug (sl) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0 |
| 5 | 0 |
| 10 | 0 |
| 25 | 0 |
| 50 | 0 |
| 100 | 0 |
| 500 | 0 |
| 1,000 | 0 |
All Weight Conversions
Other Units from Weight
- Kilogram (kg)
- Gram (g)
- 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)
- Grain (gr)
- 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)