mcg to ppm Converter

A mcg of substance in a gram of sample is 1 ppm. Divide the mcg by the grams to switch.

The mcg to ppm formula

A mcg is a millionth of a gram, so 1 mcg in 1 g is one part in a million (Wikipedia: Parts-per notation).

So ppm equals the mcg divided by the grams of sample.

Take 50 mcg in 10 g. 50 ÷ 10 gives 5 ppm.

Take 200 mcg in 50 g. 200 ÷ 50 gives 4 ppm.

mcg to ppm step by step

Enter the micrograms of substance.

Enter the grams of sample.

ppm is the result. The last column gives ppm per 1 mcg.

How to convert mcg to ppm step by step

1. Enter the micrograms of substance.
2. Enter the grams of sample.
3. Read the result in ppm.
4. Check it against the quick table.

A mcg is the same as a µg, and the sample mass must be in grams.

mcg to ppm conversion table

The highlighted row is the default of the calculator. The last column gives ppm per 1 mcg.

A quick mental shortcut for mcg to ppm

Divide the mcg by the grams.

So 50 mcg in 10 g is 5 ppm.

Mass in grams

The sample must be in grams, since a ppm here means mcg per gram.

If you have kg, multiply by 1,000 first.

Why mcg per g is ppm

A mcg is 10 to the power minus 6 g.

So 1 mcg in 1 g is one part in a million.

Worked example: 50 mcg in 10 g

50 mcg in 10 g gives 5 ppm.

The same inputs give 0.1 ppm per 1 mcg in the last column.

Worked example: 200 mcg in 50 g

200 mcg in 50 g gives 4 ppm.

The same inputs give 0.02 ppm per 1 mcg in the last column.

Worked example: 1,000 mcg in 250 g

1,000 mcg in 250 g gives 4 ppm.

The same inputs give 0.004 ppm per 1 mcg in the last column.

A feed example

Mix 500 mcg of a mineral into 100 g of feed.

That is 5 ppm.

A soil example

A 250 g soil sample holds 1,000 mcg of a metal.

That is 4 ppm.

Going the other way

To go back, multiply the ppm by the grams of sample.

So 5 ppm for 50 mcg in 10 g goes back to 50 mcg.

Check your answer

Reverse the answer with the back formula.

You should land on 50 mcg for 50 mcg in 10 g.

Another worked example

30 mcg in 6 g of sample is 5 ppm, because 30 divided by 6 is 5.

Checking your result

Multiply the ppm by the grams. 5 ppm times 6 g gives back 30 mcg.

Quick conversion answers

Where this conversion is used

Doses and supplements are listed in micrograms.

Water, soil and air tests report traces in ppm.

Water and soil testers mix and dose samples.

Food and lab staff prepare spiked samples.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Mixing units. Keep both inputs in the units named on the page.
• Mixing up the direction. Here 100 mcg in 10 g is 10 ppm, so a correct answer comes out smaller than the number you start with.
• Mixing mass and volume. Keep the same basis on both sides.
• Forgetting the sample size. A load of 50 mcg in 1 kg is 0.05 ppm, but 50 mcg in 10 kg is 0.005 ppm.

Related converters

• µg to ppb
• µg/g to ppm
• grams to ppm
• ppm to grams

Example: 200 mcg in 50 g

200 mcg in 50 g gives 4 ppm.

The same inputs give 0.02 ppm per 1 mcg in the last column.

Example: 500 mcg in 100 g

500 mcg in 100 g gives 5 ppm.

The same inputs give 0.01 ppm per 1 mcg in the last column.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Wikipedia: Parts-per notation (en.wikipedia.org)