Convert Avoirdupois Drams to Apothecary Drams
Convert Avoirdupois Drams (dr av) to Apothecary Drams (dr ap) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
dr ap = dr av × 0.4557291667
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 While rarely used in modern commerce (having been replaced by grams in most applications), the avoirdupois dram still appears in some spice and herbalist contexts, in US gunpowder loading data (where charges are specified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.
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.
Quick Reference Table
| Avoirdupois Drams (dr av) | Apothecary Drams (dr ap) |
|---|---|
| 1 dr av | 0.455729 dr ap |
| 2 dr av | 0.911458 dr ap |
| 5 dr av | 2.27865 dr ap |
| 10 dr av | 4.55729 dr ap |
| 25 dr av | 11.3932 dr ap |
| 50 dr av | 22.7865 dr ap |
| 100 dr av | 45.5729 dr ap |