Last updated on July 9th, 2025
We can measure the volume or mass of substances using units like milliliters, liters, grams, kilograms, or pounds. Different units are used to measure different things. A milliliter (ml) is a small unit of volume that we use for liquids, like the amount of water in a glass or the volume of a bottle. A gram (g) is a unit of weight or mass, which is used to measure the weight of objects or substances, like the weight of a piece of fruit. Sometimes we need to change milliliters to grams to understand the mass of a given volume of a substance. In this topic, we will learn how to convert milliliters to grams for various substances, keeping in mind that the conversion depends on the density of the substance.
A milliliter is a unit of volume that is part of the metric system, which is widely used around the world for measuring small amounts of liquid. The metric system is based on powers of 10, which simplifies unit conversions.
1 milliliter is equal to one-thousandth of a liter, meaning there are 1,000 milliliters in 1 liter (1,000 ml = 1 l). The symbol for milliliters is ml, and it is commonly seen on liquid containers and measuring cups.
A gram is a unit of mass or weight that is part of the metric system. It is commonly used to measure the weight of small objects or quantities. The symbol used for grams is g.
One gram is equal to one-thousandth of a kilogram, meaning there are 1,000 grams in 1 kilogram (1,000 g = 1 kg). Grams are often used in cooking and grocery shopping.
To convert milliliters to grams, we use the following formula: Grams = Milliliters × Density (g/ml)
Since the conversion depends on the density of the substance, you need to know the substance's density to perform the conversion. For water, the density is approximately 1 g/ml, so the conversion is straightforward.
Converting milliliters (ml) to grams (g) involves using the density of the substance. Since the density of water is approximately 1 g/ml, the conversion is simple for water: 1 ml of water equals 1 g.
However, for other substances, the density might be different. Steps to convert ml to g:
Write down the volume in milliliters.
Multiply the volume by the density of the substance to get the mass in grams. Formula: Grams = Milliliters × Density (g/ml)
When we measure things, sometimes we use milliliters (ml) and sometimes we use grams (g). We use density values to understand how much a given volume in milliliters weighs in grams. Below is a chart that shows us the ml-to-grams conversions for various substances like water, oil, and milk.
When converting milliliters to grams, people often make mistakes. Here are some common mistakes to get a better understanding of the concepts of conversions.
Convert 500 ml of water to grams
500 ml of water = 500 grams
We know the density of water is approximately 1 g/ml. Now, multiply 500 ml by the density: 500 × 1 = 500 g.
Convert 250 ml of milk to grams.
Solution: Converting 250 ml of milk gives us 258 g.
Use the density of milk: 1.03 g/ml 250 × 1.03 = 257.5 g
A bottle contains 750 ml of olive oil. What is the weight in grams?
The weight of the olive oil in grams is 690 g.
Convert 750 ml of olive oil: Density of olive oil = 0.92 g/ml
750 × 0.92 = 690 g
The volume of juice is 400 ml. What is its mass in grams, given the density is 1.05 g/ml?
The mass in grams is 420 g.
Convert 400 ml of juice: 400 ml = 400 × 1.05 = 420 g
Converting 600 ml of honey to grams, with a density of 1.42 g/ml
600 ml of honey = 852 grams
Step 1: Use the density of honey.
Step 2: Multiply 600 ml by 1.42 g/ml. 600 × 1.42 = 852 g
Seyed Ali Fathima S a math expert with nearly 5 years of experience as a math teacher. From an engineer to a math teacher, shows her passion for math and teaching. She is a calculator queen, who loves tables and she turns tables to puzzles and songs.
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