Volume · Unit Converter

Convert Drop to Milliliter

Convert drops to milliliters instantly. 1 drop = 0.05 milliliter — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Milliliter to Drop converter for the reverse conversion.

Written by Sunith Babu L, Ph.D., Lead Engineer Reviewed by Dr. Jaya Christiyan K G, Ph.D.
Volume category 2 min read Published Last reviewed Updated

Units explained

Cooking / Culinary

Drop

What is a drop?

A drop is a nominal small volume of about 0.05 mL; the exact size varies with the liquid and dropper.

Origin of the drop

Standardized loosely in pharmacy as roughly 1/20 of a milliliter (the metric drop).

Where it is used

Used for liquid medication and flavor dosing; treat as approximate.

When and where it was developed

Pharmacy convention.

Metric / SI

Milliliter

What is a milliliter?

A milliliter is one thousandth of a liter, exactly equal to one cubic centimeter.

Origin of the milliliter

Formed with the SI prefix milli- applied to the liter.

Where it is used

The standard small-volume unit in cooking, medicine and the laboratory.

When and where it was developed

Metric prefix system.

Drop to Milliliter conversion formula

Note: this conversion uses a generally accepted modern value. Historical and regional definitions of this unit varied across times and places.

The relationship between drops and milliliters:

1 gtt = 0.05 mL
1 mL = 20 gtt

To convert drops to milliliters, multiply the value in drops by 0.05. To reverse, multiply milliliters by 20.

How to use this converter

Type a value into the calculator. The result in milliliters updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Milliliter to Drop converter for the reverse direction.

Step-by-step: convert drops to milliliters

  1. Write down the value in drops (gtt).
  2. Multiply that value by the factor 0.05.
  3. The product is the equivalent value in milliliters (mL).
  4. To reverse, multiply the milliliter value by 20.

Worked examples

Example 1 — Convert 1 gtt to mL:
1 × 0.05 = 0.05 mL

Example 2 — Convert 100 gtt to mL:
100 × 0.05 = 5 mL

Real-world example — Spanning sub-micron to micron scale

Crossing from drops to milliliters is the everyday workflow of microscopy and semiconductor engineering — a measurement of 1000 drops translates to a much more compact value in milliliters that fits the scale of biological cells and process nodes.

1000 gtt × 0.05 = 50 mL

Real-world example — Sub-visible-light wavelength

500 drops (the green-yellow visible band) equals 0.5 milliliters — the canonical conversion in optics between wavelength specifications and micron-scale lens-coating thicknesses.

500 gtt × 0.05 = 25 mL

Drop to Milliliter conversion table

Standard reference values for converting drops to milliliters:

Drop [gtt]Milliliter [mL]
0.010.0005
0.10.005
10.05
20.1
30.15
40.2
50.25
100.5
201
301.5
402
502.5
1005
50025
100050

Frequently asked questions

How many milliliters is 1 drop?
1 drop equals 0.05 milliliter.
How do I convert drops to milliliters?
Multiply the value in drops by 0.05 to get milliliters.
How do I convert milliliters back to drops?
Multiply the value in milliliters by 20, or use the Milliliter to Drop converter.
How many milliliters is 100 drops?
100 drops equals 5 milliliters, because 100 × 0.05 = 5.

Convert Drop to other volume units

Show all Drop conversions
Metric / SI (3 units)
US Customary (Liquid) (1 units)
Imperial (UK) (1 units)
Cubic (length-derived) (1 units)

Sources & references

Conversion factor (1 gtt = 0.05 mL) verified against the following authoritative sources:

Results are provided for general reference. Verify critical measurements against an authoritative standard.