Weight Converter
Conversion Formula
Grams to Drams Formula
To convert between grams and drams, use these formulas:
Drams to Grams Formula
Enter a value in either field above to see the conversion result in the other field.
Common Conversions
| Grams | Drams |
|---|---|
| 1 g | 0.564 dr |
| 5 g | 2.822 dr |
| 10 g | 5.644 dr |
| 25 g | 14.110 dr |
| 50 g | 28.219 dr |
| 100 g | 56.438 dr |
About Drams
Typical Use Cases
The dram is historically significant in pharmacy and apothecary measurements, where medications were traditionally measured in drams and grains. Today, it's occasionally used in mixology for precise cocktail ingredient measurements, particularly in craft distilleries and historical recipe recreation. The dram is also encountered in vintage cookbooks and historical documents, making this conversion useful for culinary historians and enthusiasts of traditional preparation methods.
Historical Background
The dram derives from the ancient Greek "drachma," a silver coin and unit of weight. In the apothecaries' system, one dram equaled 1/8 of an apothecary ounce, while in the avoirdupois system (used here), it equals 1/16 of a standard ounce (1.7718 grams). Though largely replaced by metric measurements in modern pharmacy, the term "dram" persists in colloquial use—particularly in Scotland, where a "wee dram" refers to a small pour of whisky, and in historical pharmaceutical references.
Conversion Tips
When converting grams to drams for historical recipes, be aware that measurements may refer to either apothecary drams or avoirdupois drams, which differ slightly. This converter uses the avoirdupois dram (1.7718g), the more common modern standard. For pharmaceutical conversions, always verify whether historical references use apothecary or avoirdupois measures. In mixology, precision matters less than in medicine, but a general rule: 5 grams ≈ 3 drams, useful for scaling classic cocktail recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many grams are in a dram?
One dram (avoirdupois) equals 1.7718452 grams. This is the standard dram used in most modern contexts, equal to 1/16 of an ounce.
What's the difference between apothecary and avoirdupois drams?
Apothecary drams (used historically in pharmacy) equal 3.8879 grams, while avoirdupois drams (used in general commerce) equal 1.7718 grams. This converter uses avoirdupois drams, the more common modern standard.
Is the dram still used in medicine?
No, modern pharmacy has almost entirely switched to the metric system (milligrams, grams). Drams appear only in historical medical texts or when studying traditional pharmaceutical formulations.
Why do bartenders mention drams for whisky?
In Scotland and Ireland, a "dram" colloquially refers to a pour of whisky, typically 25-35ml. This usage is traditional and doesn't correspond to the precise weight measurement of 1.7718 grams.
About Our Conversion Standards
Our weight conversions are based on the International System of Units (SI) and standards published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). All conversion factors are accurate to at least 6 decimal places, ensuring precision for both everyday and professional use.
Data Sources: NIST Handbook 44, International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), ISO 80000-3:2006
Last Verified: October 2025