Nursing unit converter (mg, mcg, kg, lb, mL, tsp, °F, °C)
Enter your values. The answer and the full worked solution update as you type.
Result
| Unit | Value |
|---|---|
| kilogram (kg) | 2.5 × 10⁻⁷ |
| gram (g) | 0.00025 |
| milligram (mg) | 0.25 |
| microgram (mcg, µg) | 250 |
For exam practice only. This is a study aid, never a clinical decision: always follow the prescription, local protocols and the product information.
Convert the units that come up in dosage calculations and nursing exams: grams, milligrams and micrograms; kilograms and pounds (exact or with the 2.2 lb rule); millilitres, litres and household measures such as teaspoons and tablespoons; Fahrenheit and Celsius; and centimetres and inches. Each conversion shows the factor used, and the table gives the value in every unit of the group.
Step-by-step solution
Convert to mcg
Key formulas
- Metric steps
- 1 kg = 1000 g, 1 g = 1000 mg, 1 mg = 1000 mcg, 1 L = 1000 mL
- Weight and length
- 1 kg = 2.2 lb, 1 lb = 16 oz, 1 in = 2.54 cm, 1 ft = 12 in
- Household measures
- 1 tsp = 5 mL, 1 tbsp = 15 mL, 1 fl oz = 30 mL, 1 cup = 8 fl oz = 240 mL
- Temperature
- °C = (°F − 32)·5/9, °F = °C·9/5 + 32
- 24-hour clock
- PM hours 1–11: add 12; 12 AM = 00:xx; 12 PM = 12:xx
- Dose rate
- mcg/min × 60/1000 = mg/h
- Laboratory factors
- glucose 1 mmol/L = 18 mg/dL; creatinine 1 mg/dL = 88.4 µmol/L; Hb 1 g/dL = 10 g/L
How to convert units in dosage calculations
- Metric mass: 1 g = 1000 mg and 1 mg = 1000 mcg. To a smaller unit, multiply by 1000; to a larger unit, divide by 1000.
- Body weight: kg = lb ÷ 2.2 (the usual exam rounding) and lb = kg × 2.2. The exact factor is 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg.
- Household measures: 1 tsp = 5 mL, 1 tbsp = 15 mL, 1 fl oz = 30 mL and 1 cup = 240 mL.
- Temperature: °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9 and °F = °C × 9/5 + 32.
- Length: 1 in = 2.54 cm, so cm = in × 2.54.
Questions and answers
Is mcg the same as µg?
Yes, both mean microgram. Many hospitals write mcg because the symbol µg can be misread as mg, which would be a thousandfold error.
Why use 30 mL for a fluid ounce?
Dosage calculations use rounded household equivalents: 1 fl oz = 30 mL. The exact US fluid ounce is 29.57 mL.
Should I use 2.2 or 2.2046 for pounds?
Use what your course or exam states. Most dosage calculation exams use 1 kg = 2.2 lb; choose the rounded option for that, or the exact one for other work.
What is normal body temperature in °F?
About 98.6 °F, which is 37 °C. A temperature of 38 °C is 100.4 °F.
Practise it yourself
Practise Nursing math & unit conversions
A calculator gives the answer. In the exam you need the method: practise it with new problems, hints and worked solutions.