How to Convert Grams to Kilograms

The easiest and fastest ways to convert g to kg and kg to g

How many grams in a kilogram? How many kilograms in a gram? If you’re used to using U.S. or Imperial measurements, the metric system can seem like a bit of a mystery. That’s where we come in. In this article, we’ll show you how to convert grams to kilograms and kilograms to grams, plus we’ll walk you through examples and explain how to show your work. Ready to ace your next math test? Read on!

[Edit]Things You Should Know

• To convert grams to kilograms, divide the number of grams by 1,000.
• Alternatively, move the decimal point in your number 3 spaces to the left. Add zeroes to fill any empty spaces after the decimal point.
• To convert kilograms to grams, multiply the number of kilograms by 1,000. Or, move the decimal point 3 spaces to the right, filling in any empty spaces with zeroes.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Grams to Kilograms

1. Divide the number of grams by 1,000. There are 1,000 grams in 1 kilogram, so all you have to do is divide by 1,000 to get from grams to kilograms.^[1] Set up the equation using fractions, if needed. Put the number of grams over 1 and divide it by 1 kg / 1,000 g (which is the conversion factor). The grams will cancel out to leave you with an answer in kilograms. Make sure to label your answer with the correct units.^[2]
   
   • Example 1: 20,000 grams ÷ 1,000 = 20 kilograms
     • ${\displaystyle {\frac {20,000g}{1}}/{\frac {1kg}{1,000g}}}$
     • ${\displaystyle {\frac {20,000}{1}}/{\frac {1kg}{1,000}}}$
     • ${\displaystyle 20,000/1,000=20kg}$
   • Example 2: 9,135 grams ÷ 1,000 = 9.135 kilograms
     • ${\displaystyle {\frac {9,135g}{1}}/{\frac {1kg}{1,000g}}}$
     • ${\displaystyle {\frac {9,135}{1}}/{\frac {1kg}{1,000}}}$
     • ${\displaystyle 9,135/1,000=9.135kg}$
2. Shift the decimal point 3 places to the left as an alternative. The metric system is a base 10 system of measurements. In other words, metric units are always a multiple of 10 apart. Grams and kilograms are a multiple of 1,000 apart, so you can simply move the decimal point 3 places to the left. Remember that for a whole number, the decimal point is to the right of the ones place. Fill in any blank spaces with zeroes, as needed.^[3]
   
   • Example 1: 37 grams = 37. → 3.7 → .37 → .037 kilograms
   • Example 2: 4,000 grams = 4,000. → 400.0 → 40.00 → 4.000 kilograms

[Edit]Kilograms to Grams

1. Multiply the number of kilograms by 1,000. There are 1,000 grams in 1 kilogram, so all you have to do is multiply by 1,000 to get from kilograms to grams.^[4] Set up the equation using fractions, if needed. Put the number of kilograms over 1 and multiply it by 1,000 g / 1 kg (which is the conversion factor). The grams will cancel out to leave you with an answer in kilograms.^[5] Don’t forget to label your answer with the correct units.
   
   • Example 1: 5 kilograms x 1,000 = 5,000 grams
     • ${\displaystyle {\frac {5kg}{1}}x{\frac {1,000g}{1kg}}}$
     • ${\displaystyle {\frac {5}{1}}x{\frac {1,000g}{1}}}$
     • ${\displaystyle 5x1,000=5,000g}$
   • Example 2: 16.505 kilograms x 1,000 = 16,505 grams
     • ${\displaystyle {\frac {16.505kg}{1}}x{\frac {1,000g}{1kg}}}$
     • ${\displaystyle {\frac {16.505}{1}}x{\frac {1,000g}{1}}}$
     • ${\displaystyle 16.505x1,000=16,505g}$
2. Shift the decimal point 3 places to the right as an alternative. Because the metric system is a base 10 system of measurement, metric units are a multiple of 10 apart. Kilograms and grams are a multiple of 1,000 apart. So, all you have to do is move the decimal point 3 places to the right to convert from kilograms to grams. Fill in any blank spaces with zeroes and label your answer with the correct units.^[6]
   
   • Example 1: 50 kilograms = 50. → 500. → 5000. → 50000.0 grams
   • Example 2: 1.957 kilograms = 1.957 → 19.57 → 195.7 → 1957.0 grams

[Edit]FAQs

1. What is a gram? A gram (g) is a unit of measurement for mass in the metric system (also known as the International System of Units, or SI). The base metric unit of mass is 1 gram. A regular paperclip has a mass of about 1 gram.^[7] One gram is also approximately equivalent to the mass of one cubic centimeter of water.^[8]
   
2. What is a kilogram? A kilogram (kg) is the standard unit of mass in the metric system. It’s approximately equal to the mass of 1,000 cubic centimeters of water.^[9]
   
3. How are grams and kilograms related? The metric system is a base 10 system of measurements. In other words, metric units are always a multiple of 10 apart, meaning they get larger or smaller by a power of ten (10). A unit's prefix tells its power. The prefix "kilo-" means that the unit has one thousand (1,000) of the base unit.^[10]
   
   • 1 kilogram (kg) is equal to 1,000 grams (g) and 1 gram (g) is equal to 0.001 kilograms (kg).

[Edit]Calculator, Practice Problems, and Answers

Sample Grams to Kilograms Calculator

Sample Grams to Kilograms Calculator

Sample Converting Grams to Kilograms Practice Problems

Sample Converting Grams to Kilograms Practice Problems

Sample Converting Grams to Kilograms Practice Answers

Sample Converting Grams to Kilograms Practice Answers

[Edit]Video

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ [v161674_b01]. 14 January 2021.
2. ↑ https://sciencenotes.org/grams-to-kilograms-conversion-examples/
3. ↑ https://www.montereyinstitute.org/courses/DevelopmentalMath/TEXTGROUP-1-8_RESOURCE/U06_L2_T1_text_final.html
4. ↑ [v161674_b01]. 14 January 2021.
5. ↑ https://sciencenotes.org/grams-to-kilograms-conversion-examples/
6. ↑ https://studyskills.southwales.ac.uk/maths/mathematics-learning-resources/maths-topic-locator-numbers/units-measurement-drug-calculations/
7. ↑ https://content.nroc.org/DevelopmentalMath/COURSE_TEXT_RESOURCE/U06_L2_T1_text_final.html
8. ↑ https://www.bipm.org/documents/20126/41483022/SI-Brochure-9-EN.pdf
9. ↑ https://www.bipm.org/documents/20126/41483022/SI-Brochure-9-EN.pdf
10. ↑ https://content.nroc.org/DevelopmentalMath/COURSE_TEXT_RESOURCE/U06_L2_T1_text_final.html