Kilograms to Drams Converter

kg to dr  – How to convert kg to dr

Looking to convert kilograms to drams but not sure how? You're in the right place. Whether you’re working in the kitchen, a laboratory, or just curious, understanding how to convert kg to dr can be surprisingly handy. 

You can also explore more weight conversion tools if you're working with different mass units.

What is a Kilogram and a dram?

• A kilogram (kg) is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI). It's defined as the mass of the International Prototype Kilogram, a platinum-iridium cylinder preserved in France. Since 2019, it's officially tied to Planck’s constant for scientific precision. In everyday life, kilograms are used globally for measuring body weight, food, goods, and more.

If you're also working with imperial units, check out our kilograms to pounds or kilograms to ounces converters to easily switch between systems.

• The dram (dr) is a smaller unit of mass used in U.S. customary and British systems. Historically, the word comes from the Greek "drachma." There are two main types:

• Avoirdupois dram: Equal to 1⁄16 of an ounce or approximately 1.77185 grams

• Apothecaries’ dram: Slightly different, used in medicine and pharmacy, equal to 3.888 grams

You might also find it useful to convert pounds to drams when dealing with recipes or supplement dosages in imperial format.

Formula to convert kg to drams (avoirdupois):

1 kilogram = 564.383391 drams

To convert kg to drams, multiply the kilogram value by 564.383391.

Example:
2 kg × 564.383391 = 1128.77 drams

Note: This refers to avoirdupois drams, commonly used in the U.S. for body weight and groceries. In older pharmaceutical contexts, apothecaries' drams were used, but are now largely obsolete.

Did you know?

• Kilogram:
  The kilogram is the only SI base unit still defined by a physical constant (Planck’s constant) rather than a physical object. This change took effect in 2019 after over 100 years of relying on a physical artifact.
  
  

• Dram:
  In modern American culture, the dram survives in the phrase "a dram of whiskey." In Scotland, a dram refers informally to a small serving of Scotch – though the actual size may vary from a splash to a full ounce, depending on the bartender or region.

From Pharmacists to Fantasy: The Dram’s Strange Journey

In J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, potion ingredients like “unicorn hair – 3 drams” highlight how old weight units like the dram still live on in storytelling. Similarly, apothecaries' measurements were once essential in European medicine, where a prescription might say "take 2 drams of tincture daily."

These units were precise and compact, ideal for measuring herbs, powders, or metal shavings. In fact, many historical medical texts (like Nicholas Culpeper's Herbal) used “drams” to describe remedies long before metrication changed the scene. While largely replaced by grams and milliliters, these old measures still hold charm—and relevance—in literature and traditional medicine.

Conclusion

Converting kilograms to drams may seem niche, but it bridges modern metric precision with the rich, historical roots of weight measurement. Whether you're in science, baking, or reading fantasy novels, understanding how to convert kg to dr adds a surprising layer of insight. Use our converter at Jetcalculator for fast, accurate results every time.