decigram

The decigram is a unit of mass in the metric system. It is the SI-derived unit formed by applying the deci- prefix to the gram. One decigram equals one tenth of a gram, or 0.1 g, which is 100 milligrams. In metric conversions, 1 g = 10 dg and 1 kg = 10,000 dg.

Usage and context: The decigram is a valid SI unit, but it is rarely used in everyday practice or standard laboratory workflows. Grams and milligrams more commonly express subgram quantities. The decigram may appear in some older scientific literature or in contexts where intermediate masses are convenient, but it is generally superseded by mg or g.

Notation and relation to other units: The symbol for decigram is dg. It should not be confused with the decagram, abbreviated dag, which equals 10 g. Similarly, the centigram (cg) equals 0.01 g. As a deci- prefix unit, the decigram is officially part of the SI system, though it is not widely used in modern routines.