How to Calculate Milligrams to Milliliter

In an ideal world, the data for all problems we encounter would be given in units that we can plug directly into formulas for quick calculations. Unfortunately, more often than not, we are given raw data from experiments in forms that were easiest to measure but not necessarily the easiest for calculations. You can observe this inconvenience very often in chemistry labs where the data you collect needs to be converted into the proper scientific units for showing experimental results. One common unit conversion is from milligrams to milliliters, which can be done in a few easy steps.

Instructions

1

Convert your milligrams into grams since this will make your calculations easier later. Do this by dividing your milligrams by 1,000 or by simply moving the decimal 3 places to the left. For example, 182 mg of titanium will become 0.182 g.

2

Determine the specific gravity of your substance by either consulting a table of specific gravities for various substances or by using the formula "specific gravity = density of substance / density of water". Use 1,000 kg/m^3 as the density of water and use the density of the substance provided to you in the data you have or look it up in a scientific reference. Plug these values into the equation to determine your specific gravity. For example, the density of titanium is 4,507 kg/m^3 so take that divided by 1,000 kg/m^3 and you get a specific gravity of 4.507. Note that units are not necessary with specific gravity.

3

Put the mass and specific gravity data into the formula "volume = mass / specific gravity," which will also look like "milliliters = grams / specific gravity" in terms of units. For example, using the data above, milliliters = 0.182 g / 4.507 = 0.04 mL. So, 182 milligrams of titanium is equal to 0.03 milliliters of titanium.