Convert Apothecary Drams to Avoirdupois Drams
Convert Apothecary Drams (dr ap) to Avoirdupois Drams (dr av) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
dr av = dr ap × 2.194285714
About Apothecary Drams
An apothecary dram (dr ap) equals 3 scruples or 60 grains - approximately 3.888 grams. Part of the traditional apothecary system used by physicians and pharmacists from the Middle Ages through the 19th century, it was the standard unit for prescribing and dispensing medicines. Prescriptions written in the apothecary system used special symbols: the dram symbol (℈) and ounce symbol (℥) appear throughout historical medical records and old pharmacy ledgers. The apothecary dram differs from the fluid dram (a volume unit) and from the avoirdupois dram.
About Avoirdupois Drams
An avoirdupois dram (dr av) is 1/16 of an avoirdupois ounce - approximately 1.772 grams. Part of the avoirdupois system that governs everyday trade weights in the UK and US, it was historically used to measure small quantities of goods and spices in commerce. While rarely used in modern commerce (having been replaced by grams in most applications), the avoirdupois dram still appears in some spice and herbalist contexts, in US gunpowder loading data (where charges are specified in grains and drams), and in archaic recipe books.
Quick Reference Table
| Apothecary Drams (dr ap) | Avoirdupois Drams (dr av) |
|---|---|
| 1 dr ap | 2.19429 dr av |
| 2 dr ap | 4.38857 dr av |
| 5 dr ap | 10.9714 dr av |
| 10 dr ap | 21.9429 dr av |
| 25 dr ap | 54.8571 dr av |
| 50 dr ap | 109.714 dr av |
| 100 dr ap | 219.429 dr av |