How to Convert Milligrams to Teaspoons
Since milligrams are a unit of mass and teaspoons are a unit of volume, which are different physical quantities, we need to know one more physical quantity of the ingredient or substance to convert between them. In this case, we need to account for the density of the substance whenever we do a conversion.
Therefore, to convert between milligrams and teaspoons of an ingredient or substance, we must either multiply or divide by its density, depending on which direction we are performing the conversion.
Milligrams to Teaspoons Formula
To convert a measurement in milligrams to teaspoons, divide the weight by the density of the ingredient or material. Note that in order for this to work, the density must be in milligrams per teaspoon (mg/tsp).
If the density is given in grams per milliliter (g/mL), then first multiply the density by 4,928.922 to convert to mg/tsp.
For a density given in g/mL, you can use this simple formula to convert:
teaspoons = milligrams / 4,928.922 × density
Thus, the volume in teaspoons is equal to the weight in milligrams divided by 4,928.922 times the density (in g/mL) of the ingredient, substance, or material.
For example, here's how to convert 5,000 milligrams to teaspoons for an ingredient with a density of 0.7 g/mL.
teaspoons = 5,000 mg / 4,928.922 × 0.7 g/mL = 1.4492 tsp
When to Convert Milligrams to Teaspoons
Milligrams and teaspoons are both commonly used to measure cooking ingredients.
For cooking applications, most chefs suggest measuring dry ingredients by weight rather than volume to improve accuracy in the measurements.[1] The density of dry ingredients can vary for a variety of reasons, such as compaction and clumping.
The best way to ensure an accurate conversion is to use a scale. When a scale is not available, a calculator like the one above is a good way to estimate the weight to volume conversion.
Another useful application of weight and volume conversions is chemistry. When performing chemical reactions by combining separate chemicals to produce a new chemical, one must know the exact amount of each chemical to add in order to maximize the yield of the reaction.
It is common to mix powdered chemicals with liquid, or aqueous, chemicals, and this is where it becomes very useful to convert between weights and volumes.[2]
Keep reading to learn more about each unit of measure.
What Is a Milligram?
The milligram is a unit of mass equal to 1/1,000 of a gram, or 0.0154 grains.
The milligram, or milligramme, is an SI unit of mass in the metric system. In the metric system, "milli" is the prefix for thousandths, or 10-3. Milligrams can be abbreviated as mg; for example, 1 milligram can be written as 1 mg.
A milligram is frequently referred to as a unit of weight. While technically, a milligram is a measure of mass, and weight is actually a measure of force, the two are equivalent as long as we are performing our calculations on Earth.
For example, an object with a mass of 1 milligram weighs 1 milligram on Earth, but only weighs one-sixth of that on the moon, yet still has the same mass.
Learn more about milligrams.
What Is a Teaspoon?
The teaspoon is a unit of volume equal to 1/3 of a tablespoon or 1/6 of a fluid ounce.[3] One teaspoon is equal to approximately 4.929 milliliters, but in nutrition labeling, one teaspoon is equal to exactly 5 milliliters.[4]
The teaspoon is a US customary unit of volume. Teaspoons can be abbreviated as tsp, and are also sometimes abbreviated as t, ts, or tspn. For example, 1 teaspoon can be written as 1 tsp, 1 t, 1 ts, or 1 tspn.
Learn more about teaspoons.