How to Convert Grams to Kilograms? Facts & Formula

grams to kilograms

Grams and kilograms are an integral part of the metric system for the measurement of weights. While ‘grams’ is for lighter weights, ‘kilograms’ is preferred for the analysis of heavier weights. One kilogram consists of 1000 grams. This makes the conversion reasonably simple and easy to understand.

Often, kilograms is symbolized by ‘kg’ and grams is symbolized by ‘g.’ Both the units are part of the metric system of units for measurement of weight or mass. For calculation purposes, it is essential to know the conversion of each of the units into the other. Read further to learn more!

Conversion calculator

For a quick conversion of grams to kilograms, the above calculator will be of help.

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How to convert Kilograms to Pounds?

How to convert Pounds to Kilograms

What is a gram?

Grams is the unit of mass, used in the metric system. A gram is defined as one-thousandth of the SI unit of mass which is kilograms. Initially, a gram was described as the weight of 1ml of water at 4°C.

The International System of Units (SI) only recognizes ‘g’ as the symbol for grams. Any other symbols such as ‘g.m’, ‘gr’, etc. are incorrect.

Etymology

The word gramme was first taken up by the French National Convention as they were revising the metric system in 1795.

The term gramme originated from the Latin word gramma. It was, in turn, originally from the Greek term grámma which roughly translates to a quantity of mass equivalent to 1.14 grams in the present day.

Usage

The gram is widely used for the measurement of ingredients for cooking. Most standard nutrition labels on foodstuffs use grams as the unit while detailing the nutritional facts per 100g of the product.

What is a kilogram?

Kilogram (kg) is the fundamental unit of mass in the International System of units (SI) and is also part of the metric system of units.

One kilogram is equal to the mass of the international prototype of the kilogram or IPK (IPK is a cylinder made up of a platinum-iridium alloy which is stored at Saint-Cloud in France). The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) has defined the mass of this cylinder as precisely one kilogram.

Initially, the kilogram was defined as the mass of a liter of pure water at its freezing point. As such a quantity is hard to replicate and measure, this definition was discarded.

The platinum artifact was designed to serve as the standard for measurement of one kilogram. This solution is also unreliable as the mass keeps fluctuating due to the handling, contamination, and cleaning of the artifact despite its careful storage.

Etymology

The word kilogram is made up of two parts: kilo and gram. Kilo is a prefix which means thousand from the Greek word ‘chilioi’. The origin of the word gram is as described earlier, under the section “What is gram?”

Usage

Kilograms is used as the unit while buying foodstuff like vegetables, fruits, etc. Since it’s the fundamental unit for measurement of mass in the SI system, it is also used for various research purposes and calculations.

How to convert grams to kilograms?

Since one gram is one-thousandth of a kilogram,

1g = 1/1000 kg

To convert x grams of a certain quantity into kg, divide x with 1000. Or multiply x with 1/1000.

X grams = x/1000kg

For example

You have 350g of salt, and you need the same in terms of kg. Now divide 350 with 1000.

350g/1000 = 0.35kg

Instead of using math to divide the numbers, move the decimal point to the left three times. This is a simple trick and saves a lot of time. Unlike other conversion factors, this one is easy to remember.

How to convert kilograms to grams?

As one gram is one-thousandth of a kilogram, one kilogram is made up of 1000g. That is,

1kg = 1000g

For conversion of kilograms into grams, multiply the number of kilograms with 1000.

To convert x kilograms into grams, we have to multiply x with 1000.

X kg = x*1000g

For example

Let’s assume that we need to convert 2kg of rice into grams. We need to multiply it with 1000. That is,

2*1000 = 2000g

Therefore, 2kg of rice is written as 2000g of rice.

Popular conversions

GramsKilograms
100g0.1kg
250g0.25kg
500g0.5kg
750g0.75kg
1000g1kg
1250g1.25kg
1500g1.5kg
2000g2kg

Interesting facts

  • Though conversationally, mass and weight are used interchangeably, scientifically, they don’t mean the same thing. Weight depends on the gravity acting on the object and mass is independent of the gravity.
  • Gram is part of the outdated CGS system of units. (centimetre-grams-seconds)
  • The IPK is stored in a bell-jar in a monitored safe in a vault in the basement of BIPM in Saint-Cloud.
  • The universe is estimated to have a mass between 1052kg and 1053
  • 1000kg is equal to one metric tonne.