The grain equals 64.79891 milligrams exactly, one of the oldest units of mass. Originally defined as the weight of a single grain of barley. Today used almost exclusively in firearms (bullet and gunpowder weights) and pharmaceuticals.
Real-world: A 9 mm bullet typically weighs 115–124 grains (7.45–8.03 g). Aspirin grain dosing: "5 grain aspirin" = 325 mg.
Read full grain reference →The kilogram is the SI base unit of mass. Since 2019 it has been defined via the fixed numerical value of Planck's constant — a major shift from the previous definition based on a physical artifact. One litre of water at 4 °C has a mass of almost exactly 1 kg, a coincidence designed into the original 1795 definition.
Real-world: A litre of water weighs 1 kg at 4 °C. An average adult weighs 60–90 kg. A standard bag of flour is 1 kg.
Read full kilogram reference →