Unit Conversions and Examples
Common basic units used in health are listed below with examples showing how to do
the conversions.
Measuring weight:
The units used to measure weight are:
• micrograms (mcg or µg)
• milligrams (mg)
• grams (g)
• kilograms (kg)
The metric conversions are:
1 mg = 1 000 µg
1g = 1 000 000 µg
1g = 1 000 mg
1 kg = 1 000 g
Converting from one unit to another:
Example 1: Convert 4.25 grams to milligrams.
Steps to follow
1. Find out the appropriate unit conversion definition, that is: 1 g = 1 000 mg .
2. As we want to convert grams (bigger unit) to milligrams (smaller unit), we need
to multiply the given unit by the equivalent, that is:
4.25 g = 4.25 × 1000 mg = 4 250 mg .
Note: When you are multiplying by 1000, you can move the decimal point 3 places
to the right to get the answer.
Example 2: Convert 250 milligrams to grams.
Steps to follow
1. Find out the appropriate unit conversion definition, that is: 1 mg = 1 000 µg .
2. When converting from a smaller unit (milligrams) to a bigger unit (grams), we
need to divide, that is;
250 mg = (250 ÷ 1 000) g = 0.25 g .
Note: when dividing by 1 000 you can move the decimal point 3 places towards
your left to get the answer.
Volume
Units used to measure volume are:
• litre (L)
• millilitre (mL)
• microlitres (µL)
• cubic centimeter: cc (cm3 )
The metric equivalents are:
1L = 1 000 mL
1L = 1 000 000 µL
1 mL = 1 000 µL
1 cc = 1 mL
Example 3: Convert 1500 millilitres to litres.
Steps to follow
1. Find out the appropriate unit conversion definition, that is: 1 L = 1 000 mL .
2. As we are to convert from a smaller unit to a bigger unit we need to divide the
given unit by the equivalent. That is
1500 mL = (1500 ÷ 1000) L = 1.5 L .
Time:
The symbols used for time units are:
• day (d)
• hour (h)
• minute (min)
• second (s)
The unit conversions for time are:
1d =
24 h
1h =
60 min
1h =
3600 s
1 min =
60 s
1
1s = min
60
Example 3: Convert 45 minutes to hours.
1. Find out the appropriate unit conversion definition, that is: 1 h = 60 min .
2. Divide the given unit by the equivalent, that is:
45 min = (45 ÷ 60) h = 0.75 h .
Example 4: Convert 3 hours to minutes.
1. Find out the equivalent, that is: 1 h = 60 min .
2. Multiply the given unit by the equivalent, that is:
3 h = 3 × 60 min = 180 min .
Example 5: Convert 30 seconds to minutes.
1
1. Identify the unit conversion required: 1 s = 60 min .
2. Now we need to multiply the given unit by the equivalent, that is
1 1
30 s = 30 × min = min .
60 2
Other resources
• Brotto and Rafferty (2016)
• Reid-Searl, Dwyer, Moxham, and Reid-Speirs (2007)
• Online resources at Study Support;
• Arrange a consultation with a Mathematics Learning Advisor.
References
Brotto, V., & Rafferty, K. (2016). Clinical dosage calculations for Australia and New Zealand
(2nd ed.). South Melbourne, Australia: Cengage Learning.
Reid-Searl, K., Dwyer, T., Moxham, L., & Reid-Speirs, J. (2007). Nursing student’s maths
& medications survival guide. Frenchs Forest, Australia: Pearson.