Converting mg to mL
Milligrams (mg) measure mass while milliliters (mL) measure volume. To convert between them, you need to know the density or concentration.
For pure substances
Volume (mL)=Density (g/mL)×1000Mass (mg)
For liquid medications
Volume (mL)=Concentration (mg/mL)Dose (mg)
Water conversion
For water at room temperature:
- Density = 1 g/mL
- 1 mL = 1 g = 1000 mg
So for water: mg ÷ 1000 = mL
Common medication concentrations
| Medication | Common Concentration |
|---|
| Acetaminophen liquid | 160 mg/5 mL (32 mg/mL) |
| Ibuprofen liquid | 100 mg/5 mL (20 mg/mL) |
| Amoxicillin | 250 mg/5 mL (50 mg/mL) |
| Benadryl | 12.5 mg/5 mL (2.5 mg/mL) |
Example calculation
Problem: How many mL of liquid ibuprofen (100 mg/5 mL) for a 150 mg dose?
ConcentrationVolume=5 mL100 mg=20 mg/mL=20 mg/mL150 mg=7.5 mL
Important notes
- Always check medication labels for concentration
- Different formulations of the same drug may have different concentrations
- Consult a healthcare provider for dosing questions
- Use proper measuring devices (not household spoons)