Medication Concentration Unit Helper

Convert between common medication concentration units (e.g., mg/mL, mcg/mL, %, mg/dL) used in prescriptions, IV bags, and lab reports. This tool is for patients, caregivers, and students to better understand health information. All calculations run instantly in your browser—no data is sent online.

Note: For informational and educational purposes only, not medical advice. Never adjust medication based solely on unit conversions.

Convert Concentration

Concentration Value

Enter number (e.g., 5, 0.25, 1,000)

From Unit

To Unit

Understanding Medication Concentration Units

Medication concentrations describe how much active drug is present in a given volume of liquid. Different settings (hospitals, pharmacies, labs) may use different units. Converting correctly ensures clarity and safety when reviewing prescriptions or lab results.

Step-by-Step Guide

Enter your known concentration value (e.g., the number on a vial or report).
Select the unit of that value (e.g., mg/mL).
Select the unit you want to convert to (e.g., mcg/mL).
If converting between mass (mg) and molar (mmol) units, enter the drug's molecular weight.
Click Convert. Review the result and the equivalent values for context.

Real-World Examples

Insulin vial: "100 units/mL" is a biological activity unit; this tool handles mass/volume units. For concentration like "1 mg/mL", that equals 1000 mcg/mL.
IV antibiotic: "1 g in 100 mL" is 1% (w/v), which equals 10 mg/mL.
Blood glucose: 90 mg/dL (common unit in the US) equals 5.0 mmol/L (common elsewhere, molecular weight 180.16 g/mol).
Epinephrine auto-injector: "0.15 mg/0.3 mL" equals a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL.

Common Conversion Table (Mass/Volume)

Unit	Equals (mg/mL)	Notes
1 mg/mL	1.000	Base unit
1 mcg/mL	0.001	microgram per mL
1 g/L	1.000	gram per liter
1% (w/v)	10.00	1 g per 100 mL
1 mg/dL	0.010	milligram per deciliter

Pitfall Checklist

Confirm whether the unit is mass/volume (e.g., mg/mL) vs. mass/mass (e.g., mg/g).
When using %, verify it's weight/volume (w/v) for liquids, not weight/weight (w/w).
For molar conversions, use the correct molecular weight for the specific drug compound.
Check for unit prefixes: m (milli) = 1/1000, μ (micro) = 1/1,000,000.

Quick Reference: Common Equivalents

Enter a value to see its equivalent in common medication concentration units (based on mass/volume).

Value Base Unit

Equivalent Values:

Unit	Value

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate are these conversions?

Conversions use exact mathematical relationships (e.g., 1 mg = 1000 mcg). Accuracy depends on your input values and correct molecular weight for molar conversions. This tool does not account for solution density or temperature effects, which are negligible for most clinical purposes.

When do I need molecular weight?

Only when converting between mass units (mg, mcg, g) and molar units (mmol, mol). The molecular weight is unique to each substance (e.g., glucose: 180.16 g/mol, sodium chloride: 58.44 g/mol). Your pharmacist or medication leaflet may provide this.

What if my concentration uses "units/mL" (like insulin)?

"Units" measure biological activity, not mass. This tool cannot convert activity units to mass without a specific conversion factor (which varies by drug). Always use the units specified on your prescription.

When should I seek professional help?

If you are unsure about medication instructions, dose calculations, or your lab results, contact your pharmacist or clinician. Do not change or administer medication based solely on unit conversion.

How do I measure concentrations at home?

Home measurement of concentrations is not recommended. Use this tool to understand prescribed concentrations or lab values, not to prepare medications.

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Medication Concentration Unit Helper

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