mL to units calculator: how to convert on a syringe
Multiply the volume in mL by the syringe scale: × 100 on a U-100 syringe, × 40 on a U-40 syringe. A U-100 syringe is marked so that 100 units fill 1 mL.[1]
units = mL × 100 (U-100) · units = mL × 40 (U-40) · mL = units ÷ scale
mL to units syringe chart
Find the volume on the left. The last column names the smallest common U-100 syringe that holds it.[2]
| Volume | U-100 units | U-40 units | Smallest U-100 syringe |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.01 mL | 1 | 0.4 | 0.3 mL |
| 0.02 mL | 2 | 0.8 | 0.3 mL |
| 0.05 mL | 5 | 2 | 0.3 mL |
| 0.1 mL | 10 | 4 | 0.3 mL |
| 0.15 mL | 15 | 6 | 0.3 mL |
| 0.2 mL | 20 | 8 | 0.3 mL |
| 0.25 mL | 25 | 10 | 0.3 mL |
| 0.3 mL | 30 | 12 | 0.3 mL |
| 0.4 mL | 40 | 16 | 0.5 mL |
| 0.5 mL | 50 | 20 | 0.5 mL |
| 0.6 mL | 60 | 24 | 1 mL |
| 0.75 mL | 75 | 30 | 1 mL |
| 0.8 mL | 80 | 32 | 1 mL |
| 1 mL | 100 | 40 | 1 mL |
| 1.5 mL | 150 | 60 | over 1 mL |
| 2 mL | 200 | 80 | over 1 mL |
| 2.5 mL | 250 | 100 | over 1 mL |
| 3 mL | 300 | 120 | over 1 mL |
Small volumes: 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.25 mL to units
0.05 mL (written “.05 mL” on some notes) is 5 units, 0.1 mL is 10 units, 0.2 mL is 20 units and 0.25 mL is 25 units on a U-100 syringe. Write these with a zero before the point: “.1 mL” is easy to misread as 1 mL. On a U-40 syringe the same volumes are 2, 4, 8 and 10 units.
0.5 mL and 1 mL to units
0.5 mL is 50 units, a full 0.5 mL insulin syringe, and 1 mL is 100 units, a full 1 mL syringe. On U-40 scales they are 20 and 40 units; U-40 insulin is labelled for U-40 syringes only.[3]
Over 1 mL: 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 mL
1.5 mL would be 150 “units”, 2 mL 200, 2.5 mL 250 and 3 mL 300, but no standard insulin syringe holds more than 1 mL. Volumes like these are measured on syringes marked in mL, which BD makes in 1 mL and larger sizes.[4]
Insulin syringe units to mL chart
| Units | mL (U-100) | mL (U-40) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 units | 0.01 | 0.025 |
| 2 units | 0.02 | 0.05 |
| 5 units | 0.05 | 0.125 |
| 8 units | 0.08 | 0.2 |
| 10 units | 0.1 | 0.25 |
| 12 units | 0.12 | 0.3 |
| 15 units | 0.15 | 0.375 |
| 20 units | 0.2 | 0.5 |
| 25 units | 0.25 | 0.625 |
| 30 units | 0.3 | 0.75 |
| 40 units | 0.4 | 1 |
| 50 units | 0.5 | 1.25 |
| 60 units | 0.6 | 1.5 |
| 75 units | 0.75 | 1.875 |
| 80 units | 0.8 | 2 |
| 100 units | 1 | 2.5 |
Going back, divide by the scale: 35 units on a U-100 syringe is 0.35 mL, and 8 units is 0.08 mL. Before reading a small volume, check what one line is worth on your syringe: ½, 1 or 2 units depending on the model.[5] See how to read an insulin syringe.
Why 1 mL is 100 units, and what 1 mL is on each scale, is explained in how many units in a mL. Instructions in cc work the same way (cc to units). For a dose in mg, use mg to units.
Frequently asked questions
How many mL is 10 units?
0.1 mL on a U-100 syringe (0.25 mL of U-40 insulin).
How many mL is 20 units?
0.2 mL on a U-100 syringe.
How many mL is 50 units?
0.5 mL on a U-100 syringe, a full 0.5 mL insulin syringe.
How many units is 0.25 mL?
25 units on a U-100 syringe; 10 units on a U-40 syringe.
0.1 mL to units: how many units is 0.1 mL?
10 units on a U-100 syringe, 4 units on a U-40 syringe.
How many units is 0.5 mL?
50 units on a U-100 syringe, which fills a 0.5 mL insulin syringe. On a U-40 syringe it is 20 units.
How many units is 1 mL?
100 units on a U-100 syringe and 40 units on a U-40 syringe.
How many units is 2 mL?
200 units on the U-100 scale, which is more than any standard insulin syringe holds. Measure 2 mL on a syringe marked in mL.