How this calculator works
The gram is the base unit of mass in the metric system, and the SI prefixes scale it in powers of ten. A decagram is ten grams, written with the prefix deca meaning ten. The kilogram is 1,000 grams and the milligram is one thousandth of a gram. Because the pound is defined as exactly 0.45359237 kg, the pound figure is an exact conversion of that legal definition and not a measurement.
Formula
grams = decagrams x 10. decagrams = grams / 10. milligrams = grams x 1,000. kilograms = grams / 1,000. pounds = grams / 453.59237. tonnes = kilograms / 1,000.
Worked example
1 dag is 10 g, 10,000 mg, 0.01 kg and 0.0220462 lb. 5 dag is 50 g and 0.05 kg. 250 g is 25 dag and 0.25 kg. 1 kg is 100 dag and 1,000 g.
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Frequently asked questions
Is a decagram the same as a dekagram?
Yes. The SI prefix is spelled deca or deka, both meaning ten, and the symbol is da. Decagram and dekagram both mean 10 grams.
Why is the kilogram the base unit of mass rather than the gram?
The kilogram is the SI base unit for historical and practical reasons, while the prefix names still build on the gram. That is why the unit is kilogram, with the prefix already included, and not gram with a kilo added at the top.
Is this mass or weight?
Mass. A scale reports mass in grams or pounds. Physical weight is a force in newtons and depends on local gravity, which this page does not calculate.