How to Calculate Micrograms

A gram is a unit of mass defined as one one-thousandth of a kilogram, which is the base unit of the International System of Units (SI). "Micro" is a metric prefix that indicates a magnitude of 1E-6 (the notation 1E-6 means "10 in power -6"). Metric prefixes allow to conveniently express very large or very small values. As an example, consider this calculation of micrograms from kilograms and pounds.

Things You'll Need

• Calculator

Instructions

1. Obtain the conversion between 1 microgram and 1 kilogram. Consider that 1 microgram=1 gram x 1E-6 and 1 kilogram=1 gram x 1E3; "1 gram" can be expressed as 1 gram=1 microgram x 1E6=1 kilogram x 1E-3. Hence, 1 microgram=1 kilogram x 1E-9.

2. Find the general formula to convert mass in kilogram to micrograms using the following proportion:
   1 microgram corresponds to 1 kilogram x 1E-9. Mass (micrograms) corresponds to mass (kilograms).
   The solution of this proportion by cross-multiplication leads to the formula:
   mass (micrograms) = mass (kilograms) x 1E9.
   For example, calculate micrograms in a mass given as 0.0000063 kilograms.
   Mass=0.0000063 kilograms x 1E9=6,300 micrograms.

3. Obtain the formula to convert pounds to micrograms. It follows that mass (kilograms)= 0.45359237 x mass (pounds). Combining it with the formula from Step 2, you can get mass (micrograms)=mass (pounds) x 0.45359237 x 1E9.
   For example, convert 0.0056 pounds to micrograms:
   Mass=0.0056 pounds x 0.45359237 x 1E9=2.54E6 micrograms.

References

• CIA World Factbook

Resources

• Metric Prefixes