A Pharmacy Tech’s Quick Reference of

Pharmacy
Conversions

This e-Book is a publication of:

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1

THE FIRST AND LAST EQUATION YOU’LL NEED 2

METRIC SYSTEM 3

APOTHECARY SYSTEM 4

AVOIRDUPOIS SYSTEM 4

COMMON HOUSEHOLD MEASUREMENTS 5

TEMPERATURE 5

CONVERSION FACTORS 6

CONVERTING BETWEEN SYSTEMS 7

2 STEP CONVERSIONS 9

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 - Section 1 -
Conversions
Pharmacological Calculations are reliant on specific systems of measure and the
Technician’s ability to quickly and accurately convert between them. There is a simple
equation that can be used to convert between any two types of units.

For example, let’s assume you’re tasked with converting 7.5mL to units. First, you’ll
need to know how many units there are in 1mL (100u = 1mL).
Next you set up the first and last equation that you’ll need:
If I know there are 100u in 1mL how many units are in 7.5mL?
100 units is to 1mL as X units is to 7.5mL
100 units : 1mL = X units : 7.5mL
100units X units
=
1mL 7.5mL

To solve the conversion equation that you’ve set up,

Cross-Multiply and Divide.
7.5mL x 100units = 750 750 / 1mL = 750 units
By utilizing this simple way to set up conversions, you’ll have greater success in solving
them. Once again, this equation can be adapted to solve most of the conversions you’ll
be expected to know for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam® and while
practicing in a Pharmacy.

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Many students struggle mightily when trying to grasp the Metric System. Honestly, it is
not as hard as you might think. In regard to Pharmacological Calculations, we are not
concerned with distance. We will, however, need to be able to convert between units of
volume and weight.

Volume is defined as the amount of space that a substance occupies. When we refer
to volume, we are referring to liquid measure (ex. 5mL).
In the Metric System, Volume has two units:
milliliters (mL) and liters (L).
There are 1000mL in every 1L

Weight is defined as the heaviness of matter of a substance.

When we refer to weight, we are referring to solid measure (ex. 5g).
In the Metric System, Weight has four units:
kilogram (kg), gram (g), milligram (mg), and microgram (mcg or µg)
There are 1000mcg in 1mg, 1000mg in 1g, and 1000g in 1kg

The easiest way to convert between units in the Metric System is to move the decimal
point. When we go from a larger unit to a smaller unit we will move the decimal 3 units
to the right (LSR). When we move from a smaller unit to a larger unit we will move the
decimal point 3 units to the left (SLL). Let’s take a look at a couple of examples:
4.48357L = ?mL 25.754µg = ?g
Larger to Smaller move Right (LSR) Smaller to Larger move Left (SLL)

4.483L 4483.57mL 23.75µg 0.00002375g

We moved 6 places, µg to mg to g

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The Apothecary System originates from a Greek system of measure. Much like the
Metric System, it concerns itself with both weight and volume however many of the units
in the Apothecary System have changed or been phased out.

There is a very small unit of weight known as a grain (gr).

Be sure to note that a gr (grain) ≠ g (gram).
1 grain (gr) = 64.8mg
You might be familiar with 5gr Tylenol® (325mg) or 10gr Tylenol® (650mg).

In respect to volume, there are two units – the fluid dram and the fluid ounce.
1 fluid dram 5mL and can be represented in the following ways: i or 1fl dr.

1 fluid ounce 30mL can be shown as follows: i or 1 fl oz.

The number of drams or fluid ounces is reflected by the Roman numeral to the right of
the appropriate symbol. 5 drams is shown as: v

The Avoirdupois System originates from France and is commonly used today in the
United States to describe units of weight. This system, unlike the Metric System and
Apothecary System, does not have any units of volume.

There is only one conversion factor that you’ll need to know for the Avoirdupois System:
1 pound (lb.) = 16 ounces (oz.)
Be sure to note that an oz. (solid) ≠ fl oz. (liquid).

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Common Household Measurements include many measures used in both cooking
and everyday life. This system only concerns volume (liquid measure).

- Common Household Measurements -

Unit Abbreviation(s) Conversion Factor
Teaspoonful t or tsp 1t = 5mL
Tablespoonful T or Tbsp 1T = 15mL
Fluid Ounce fl oz. 1fl oz. = 29.57mL 30mL

Pint pt 1pt = 473mL 480mL

Quart qt 1qt = 2pt

Gallon gal 1gal = 4qt

There are two systems of measure used to describe Temperature: Celsius and
Fahrenheit. Celsius (centigrade) has been adopted in most countries and is based
on the freezing point (0○C) and boiling point of water (100○C). Fahrenheit isn’t as
easily scaled, but for perspective, the freezing point of water is 32○F and the boiling
point of water is 212○F.
In order to convert between the two systems:
○
F = (○C x 9/5) + 32
○
C = ○F - 32 x (5/9)

If you prefer to only remember one equation:

9 x ○C = 5 x ○F - 160

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 Pharmaceutical Conversion Factors
Exact Liquid Measure Approximate Liquid Measure (if applicable)
100units = 1mL n/a
20gtts = 1mL n/a
1cc or 1cm3 = 1mL n/a
1 tsp = 5mL n/a
1 Tbsp = 15mL n/a
i = 5mL n/a
1 fl oz = 29.57ml 1fl oz ≈ 30mL
i = 29.57mL i ≈ 30mL
1pt = 473mL 1fl oz ≈ 480mL
1qt = 946mL n/a
1qt = 2pt n/a
1L = 1000mL n/a
1gal = 3784mL 1gal ≈ 4000mL
1gal = 4qt n/a

Exact Solid Measure Approximate Solid Measure (if applicable)

1000mcg or 1000µg = 1mg n/a
64.8mg = 1gr 65mg ≈ 1gr
1000mg = 1g n/a
28.35g = 1oz 30g ≈ 1oz
454.54g = 1lb 480g ≈ 1lb
1000g = 1kg n/a
2.2lbs = 1kg n/a

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The ability to convert between all of the systems listed so far in this guide is critical.

Humalog Insulin
Example A: if a prescriber writes:
10u sc am x30

Q.S

You’ll be tasked with dispensing the correct package size. While the patient and
doctor measure insulin in units, pharmacy personnel dispense it in milliliters. Referring
to the conversion table on the previous page,
1. You’ll find that there are 100units in every 1mL.
This can be rewritten 100units:1mL.
2. Well we want to know how many mL there are in 10u (per the prescription).
That can be rewritten 10units:XmL
3. Combine #1 and #2
100units:1mL::10units:XmL
4. Now let’s translate that into something we can solve:

100units 10units
1mL XmL

5. Cross-Multiply and Divide

1mL x 10units = 10 / 100units = 0.1mL
6. We’ve determined there are 0.1mL for every 100units
7. So now we know that the patient will administer 0.1mL daily for 30 days (3.0mL)

Example B:
? gtts = 8mL 1. Set up our conversion factor.
20gtts X gtts 2. Set up our conversion.
1mL 8 mL 3. Cross Multiply and Solve
20gtts x 8mL = 160 / 1mL = 160gtts

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 Example C:
? lbs = 24kg 1. Set up our conversion factor.
1kg 24kg 2. Set up our conversion.
2.2lbs X lbs 3. Cross Multiply and Solve
2.2lbs x 24kg = 52.8 / 1kg = 52.8lbs

Example D:
? mL = 2pt 1. Set up our conversion factor.
1pt 2pt 2. Set up our conversion.
473mL X mL 3. Cross Multiply and Solve
473mL x 2pt = 976 / 1pt = 976mL

Example E:
? mg = 1.5gr 1. Set up our conversion factor.
1gr 1.5gr 2. Set up our conversion.
64.8mg X mg 3. Cross Multiply and Solve
64.8mg x 1.5gr = 66.3 / 1gr = 66.3gr

Keys to remember when setting up conversions:

 Put the conversion factor on the left
 Notice how the units line up, same units on top, same units on the bottom
 Cross Multiply the only two numbers that are across from one another
 Divide that answer by the last number remaining
 Your answer will be the same unit as your variable (X).

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Occasionally, you’ll be tasked with converting between two types of measurement that
we do not know the conversion factor for. Like if you were asked to find how many
pints are in 3 Liters. These are known as Two Step Conversions, because you’ll
have to complete two conversion equations in order to solve the original question.
?pts = 3L
 We know there are 473mL in every pint, and 1000mL in every Liter.
 Milliliters are what is known as our intermediary.
 An intermediary is a unit we can convert to (in one step) with BOTH the
given component of the conversion (3L) and the unknown (?pts).
 Here’s how it all plays out:
1. Convert our known to our intermediary unit.
3L mL
1L 3L
1000mL XmL
We find that 3L = 3000mL.
2. Now that we know that we have 3000mL as our known, we can do the
second step of the conversion:
1pt Xpt
473mL 3000mL
We find that there are 6.34 pints in 3000mL.
3. Our Solution: There are 6.34pts in 3L.

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More information on this topic, as well as EVERYTHING you’ll need to know to pass
the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam, can be found at [Link]

RxTechExam offers a completely online and self-paced courses that will ensure your
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We hope you enjoyed our Free Guide on Pharmacy Conversions & Calculations!

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