Gram (unit) - Definition and Overview

For other meanings of gram, see gram (disambiguation).

The gram (also spelt gramme) is a unit of measurement of mass, and is defined in the SI system of units as one thousandth of a kilogram (ie. 1x10^-3kg).

The symbol for gram is g. The formerly used alternate symbol gm is no longer correct.

A cubic centimetre (10^-6 m³) of water has a mass of approximately one gram. It is equal to the mass of a plastic pen cap. A paper clip is often referred to as the weight of a gram, but paper clips weigh from 0.5 gram to 1.5 grams. It is not an SI base unit, although it is a base unit of the cgs system of units.

milligram << gram << kilogram

See also

• SI prefix
• conversion of units
• Orders of magnitude (mass)

External link

• Conversion Calculator for Units of MASS (& Weight) (http://www.ex.ac.uk/trol/scol/index.htm)