Convert grams to scruple easily.
1 g ÷ 1.296 = 0.772 ℈
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Ever stumbled upon an old recipe calling for "3 scruples of saffron" and wondered how that translates to modern grams? You’re not alone. While grams rule our kitchens and labs today, scruples linger in historical documents and niche fields. This guide breaks down the grams-to-scruple conversion so you can bridge the gap between antique measurements and contemporary precision.
Unit definitions
What is a gram (g)?
- Description: The gram is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI).
- Symbol: g
- Common uses: Cooking, science, everyday weight measurements
- Definition: 1 gram = 1/1000 of a kilogram, originally defined as the mass of 1 cubic centimeter of water at 4°C.
What is a scruple (℈)?
- Description: A scruple is an antique weight unit from the apothecary system.
- Symbol: ℈
- Common uses: Historic medicine, precious metals, herbalism
- Definition: 1 scruple = 20 grains = 1/24 troy ounce. In grams, that’s approximately 1.296 grams.
Conversion formula
To convert grams to scruple:
Scruple = Grams ÷ 1.296
For scruple to grams:
Grams = Scruples × 1.296
Example calculations
- Converting 5 grams to scruple:
5 ÷ 1.296 = 3.858 scruple
(That’s roughly 3 scruples and 17 grains if you want to get technical!) - Converting 10 scruple to grams:
10 × 1.296 = 12.96 grams
(Perfect for recreating those 18th-century pharmacy prescriptions.)
Conversion tables
Grams to scruple
| Grams | Scruple |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.7716 |
| 2 | 1.5432 |
| 3 | 2.3148 |
| 4 | 3.0864 |
| 5 | 3.8580 |
| 6 | 4.6296 |
| 7 | 5.4012 |
| 8 | 6.1728 |
| 9 | 6.9444 |
| 10 | 7.7160 |
Scruple to grams
| Scruple | Grams |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1.296 |
| 2 | 2.592 |
| 3 | 3.888 |
| 4 | 5.184 |
| 5 | 6.480 |
| 6 | 7.776 |
| 7 | 9.072 |
| 8 | 10.368 |
| 9 | 11.664 |
| 10 | 12.960 |
Historical background
The scruple’s story begins in ancient Rome, where "scrupulum" meant a small sharp stone, literally the weight of a pebble. Apothecaries later adopted it as part of their weight sytem. This system dominated European medicine until the 19th century when metric units took over. Fun detail: The word "scruple" evolved to mean ethical hesitation, because a small weight symbolized a tiny doubt!
Interesting facts?
- Double duty: Scruple was both a weight and a coin weight in medieval times.
- Literary weight: Jane Austen’s characters might’ve taken "two scruples of laudanum" for nerves.
- Hidden in plain sight: Some antique scales still have scruple markings under the dust.
- Modern survivors: Homeopathic remedies in France sometimes use scruple-derived measurements.
- Grainy details: 1 scruple = 20 grains – not cereal grains, but barleycorns used as standardized weights.
FAQ
While obsolete, scruples appear in historical medicine studies, vintage recipes, or niche hobbies like antique jewelry making.
Our tool uses 1 scruple = 1.296 grams, the standard apothecary definition. Precision depends on your input values.
Absolutely! Multiply scruples by 1.296 to get grams. Our calculator handles bidirectional conversions.
No, 1 dram = 3 scruples. The apothecary system had multiple tiers: grain, scruple, dram, ounce, and pound.
Modern pharmacies use metric units, but you might encounter scruples in old medical texts or specialty contexts.