Converting from milliliters (mL) to grams (g) is more complicated than simply entering a number, because it converts the unit of volume, milliliters, into a unit of mass, namely grams. That is, each substance will have a different formula for conversion. However, the formula used is never more difficult than multiplication. This conversion is usually used when converting cooking recipes from one system to another, or in chemistry problems.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Convert Kitchen Ingredients Quickly
Step 1. To convert water measurements, do nothing
One milliliter of water has one gram of mass and one gram of magnitude under normal circumstances, including for cooking recipes and math and science problems (unless known). There is no need to use any formula: the measurement in milliliters and grams is always the same.
- This easy conversion is no accident, but is the result of the definition of these units. Many scientific units are defined using water, as it is a commonly used and useful substance.
- You only need to use a different conversion if the water is hotter or colder than the water in everyday life.
Step 2. To convert milk, multiply by 1.03
Multiply the mL measurement for milk by 1.03 to get the mass in grams. This measurement is for full-fat whole milk. Skimmed milk is close to 1,035, but the difference isn't that big for most recipes.
Step 3. To convert butter, multiply by 0.911
If you don't have a calculator, multiplying by 0.9 is accurate enough for most recipes.
Step 4. To convert flour, multiply by 0.57
There are many types of flour, but most brands of all types, whole wheat flour, or bread flour have almost the same density. However, because of the possible differences in types, add flour to your recipe a little at a time, less or more if needed, based on the result of the dough or mixture.
This measurement is calculated based on a density of 8.5 grams per tablespoon, and the conversion of 1 tablespoon = 14.7868 mL
Step 5. Use an online calculator for the rest of the ingredients
The most frequently used foods can be converted using the aqua-calc food converter online. One milliliter is equal to one cubic centimeter, so select the cubic centimeter option, enter the volume in milliliters, then type the food or ingredient you want to convert.
Method 2 of 3: Understanding the Concept
Step 1. Understand milliliters and volumes
Milliliter is a unit volume, or area of space. One milliliter of water, one milliliter of gold, or one milliliter of air have the same area of space. If you crush an object to make it smaller and denser, this will change its volume. About twenty drops of water, or 1/5 of a teaspoon, has a volume of one milliliter.
Milliliter abbreviated mL.
Step 2. Understand grams and mass
Gram is unit mass, or the amount of substance. If you crush an object to make it smaller and denser, it won't change its mass. Paper clips, sugar packs, or raisins all have a mass of one gram.
- Grams are often used as a unit of weight and can be measured using a scale in any situation. Weight is a measurement for the force of gravity times mass. If you walked into space, you would still have the same mass (amount of matter), but no weight, because there is no gravity.
- Grams abbreviated g.
Step 3. Learn why you need to know the substance you are converting
Since these units measure different things, there is no quick formula for converting them. You have to find the formula based on the object you are measuring. For example, the amount of syrup in a milliliter container will be different from the amount of water in a milliliter container.
Step 4. Learn about density
Density measures how dense a substance is. We can understand density in everyday life without measuring it. If you pick up a metal ball and are surprised by its weight despite its small size, it's because metal has a high density, holding a lot of matter in a small space. If you pick up crumpled paper balls of the same size, you can toss them easily. Paper balls have low density. Density is measured by mass per unit volume. For example, how much mass in grams is there in a volume of one milliliter. This is why density can be used to convert between two measurements.
Method 3 of 3: Calculating the Conversions Yourself
Step 1. Look at the density of the substance
As described above, density is mass per unit volume. If you're answering a math or chemistry problem, the problem will probably write down the density of the substance. If not, look up the density of the substance online or in a table.
- Use this chart to find the density of any pure element. (Note that 1 cm3 = 1 milliliter.)
- Use this document to find the density of many foods and beverages. For materials that only list specific gravity, this number is equivalent to density in g/mL at 4ºC (39ºF), and usually has nearly the same density for a substance at room temperature.
- For other substances, type the name of the substance and density into the search engine.
Step 2. Convert density to g/mL if needed
Sometimes, density is given in units other than g/mL. If the density is written in g/cm3, then there is no need to change anything, because one cm3 equivalent to 1 mL. For other units, try the online density conversion calculator, or do the math yourself:
- Multiply the density in kg/m3 (kilograms per cubic meter) with 0.001 to get the density in g/mL.
- Multiply the density in lb/gallon (pounds per gallon) by 0.120 to get the density in g/mL.
Step 3. Multiply the volume in milliliters by the density
Multiply the mL measurement of your substance by its density in g/mL. This multiplication will give the answer in (g x mL)/mL, but you can cross out the mL units above and below and leave only g, or grams.
For example, to convert 10 mL of ethanol to grams, find the density of ethanol: 0.789 g/mL. Multiply 10 mL by 0.789 g/mL and get 7.89 grams. Now you know that 10 milliliters of ethanol has a mass of 7.89 grams
Tips
- To convert from grams to milliliters, divide the grams by the density instead of multiplying.
- The density of water is 1 g/mL. If the density of a substance is greater than 1 g/mL, it is denser than pure water, and will sink in it. If the density of a substance is less than 1 g/mL, then water is denser than that substance, and the substance will float.
