Convert Ounce (oz) to Picogram (pg) instantly.
About these units
Ounce (oz)
The ounce is a unit equal to 1/16 of a pound, or approximately 28.3495 grams, with roots in ancient Roman "uncia"—one-twelfth of a pound. The ounce is used for measuring small masses in cooking, postal services, gemstones (troy ounces), and various consumer goods. Despite not being part of the metric system, the ounce remains a staple in US everyday life, from food packaging to hardware components. Its small size gives it a practical niche where grams might feel too unfamiliar for some audiences. Multiple ounce variants exist historically—avoirdupois, troy, apothecary—but the avoirdupois ounce is now the standard in general commerce. Its endurance reflects the cultural weight of imperial units and the long history of Western measurement systems.
Picogram (pg)
A picogram, or 10⁻¹² grams, is widely used in molecular biology, biochemistry, and medicine. Hormones, signaling molecules, and certain viruses fall within the picogram mass range. Laboratories often quantify DNA or RNA using picograms, especially in single-cell analysis. Cellular processes frequently involve minuscule quantities of molecules, so picogram measurements allow researchers to study gene expression, protein synthesis, and chemical reactions with extreme accuracy. Diagnostic tests—such as those for biomarkers in blood—often require detection at picogram per milliliter concentrations. The picogram is a crucial bridge between the molecular scale and measurable laboratory practice, enabling breakthroughs in medical diagnostics and biotechnology.