Convert milligrams to teaspoons or teaspoons to milligrams for ingredients using density, with mg, g, kg, tsp, tbsp and mL outputs.
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mg to Tsp Formula
Milligrams measure mass and teaspoons measure volume, so the two are only linked once you know how heavy the substance is for its size. That link is density. To turn a mass in milligrams into a volume in teaspoons, divide the mass by the density and by the volume of one teaspoon:
tsp = mg / (D * V)
To go the other way, from a volume in teaspoons to the mass it holds in milligrams, multiply the teaspoons by the same two values:
mg = tsp * V * D
Density is usually quoted in grams per milliliter, so multiply it by 1000 to get the milligrams per milliliter used above. With water at 1.00 g/mL and a US teaspoon of 4.92892 mL, one teaspoon holds about 4929 mg:
mg = 1 * 4.92892 * 1000 = 4928.92
Variables:
- tsp is the volume in teaspoons
- mg is the mass in milligrams
- D is the density of the substance in milligrams per milliliter, which is its grams per milliliter value times 1000
- V is the volume of one teaspoon in milliliters, 4.92892 mL for a US teaspoon or 5 mL for a metric teaspoon
Pick what you want to find at the top of the calculator. In the default mode you enter a mass in milligrams and get the volume in teaspoons; switch the selector to enter a volume in teaspoons and get the mass in milligrams instead. Because milligrams measure mass and teaspoons measure volume, the substance density is what links them, so set the Substance menu to match what you are measuring or choose Custom and type a density in grams per milliliter.
The unit menus let you enter grams or micrograms in place of milligrams, and tablespoons or milliliters in place of teaspoons, so you do not have to convert by hand first. Open Teaspoon and display settings to switch between a US teaspoon of 4.92892 mL and a metric teaspoon of 5 mL, or to change how many decimal places the results show.
Milligrams in One Teaspoon by Substance
The mass of a level teaspoon depends on the density of the substance as measured, including packing and temperature. The table below uses this page’s approximate kitchen density presets and a US teaspoon of 4.92892 mL; the values are estimates, not universal material constants.
| Substance | Density (g/mL) | 1 US tsp (mg) | 1 US tsp (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 1.00 | 4,929 | 4.93 |
| Milk | 1.03 | 5,077 | 5.08 |
| Table salt | 1.22 | 6,013 | 6.01 |
| Granulated sugar | 0.85 | 4,190 | 4.19 |
| All-purpose flour | 0.53 | 2,612 | 2.61 |
| Honey | 1.42 | 6,999 | 7.00 |
| Cooking oil | 0.92 | 4,535 | 4.53 |
| Baking soda | 0.96 | 4,732 | 4.73 |
Densities of dry, granular items shift with how finely they are ground and how tightly they are packed, so treat these as close estimates rather than exact figures. For a quick reference with water, the next table converts round milligram amounts straight into US teaspoons and tablespoons.
| Milligrams (water) | Teaspoons (US) | Tablespoons (US) |
|---|---|---|
| 500 | 0.101 | 0.034 |
| 1,000 | 0.203 | 0.068 |
| 2,500 | 0.507 | 0.169 |
| 5,000 | 1.014 | 0.338 |
| 7,500 | 1.522 | 0.507 |
| 10,000 | 2.029 | 0.676 |
Example Problems
Example 1: Convert a mass in milligrams to teaspoons.
You have 5,000 mg of water and want the volume in US teaspoons. Divide the mass by the density in mg/mL and by the teaspoon volume:
tsp = 5,000 / (1,000 * 4.92892) = 1.014 tsp.
Example 2: Convert a volume in teaspoons to milligrams.
You scoop 1 level teaspoon of granulated sugar, which has a density of about 0.85 g/mL. Multiply the teaspoons by the teaspoon volume and the density in mg/mL:
mg = 1 * 4.92892 * 850 = 4,190 mg, or about 4.19 g.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you convert mg to teaspoons?
Divide the mass in milligrams by the density of the substance in milligrams per milliliter, then divide again by the volume of one teaspoon in milliliters. A US teaspoon is 4.92892 mL. For water at 1,000 mg/mL, 5,000 mg divided by 1,000 and then by 4.92892 gives about 1.014 teaspoons. You cannot skip the density step, because milligrams measure weight and teaspoons measure volume.
How many mg are in one teaspoon?
It depends on the substance. A US teaspoon holds about 4,929 mg of water, roughly 6,013 mg of table salt, about 4,190 mg of granulated sugar, and only about 2,612 mg of all-purpose flour. Denser substances pack more milligrams into the same teaspoon, which is why a single conversion number does not work for everything.
Is a teaspoon of medicine 5,000 mg?
There is no universal medicine dose in one teaspoon. Density describes the total mass of the liquid, while the active ingredient has its own concentration on the medicine label, such as mg per mL or mg per 5 mL. This ingredient-density calculator does not determine a medicine dose. Follow the label and use its specified dosing device; do not substitute a kitchen spoon. See the FDA medicine measurement guidance.
