Insulin syringe units chart
This insulin syringe units chart converts units to mL on U-100, U-50 and U-40 syringes and shows how each syringe size is marked.
How many mL is one unit on an insulin syringe?
One unit on a U-100 syringe is 0.01 mL, so 10 units is 0.1 mL and 100 units is 1 mL. The number after the "U" tells you how many units fit in 1 mL.
| Units (U-100) | mL |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.01 |
| 2 | 0.02 |
| 5 | 0.05 |
| 10 | 0.1 |
| 15 | 0.15 |
| 20 | 0.2 |
| 25 | 0.25 |
| 30 | 0.3 |
| 40 | 0.4 |
| 50 | 0.5 |
| 60 | 0.6 |
| 70 | 0.7 |
| 75 | 0.75 |
| 80 | 0.8 |
| 90 | 0.9 |
| 100 | 1 |
Insulin syringe units chart for U-100, U-50 and U-40
The same volume reads as a different number of units on each syringe type:
| mL | U-100 | U-50 | U-40 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.05 | 5 | 2.5 | 2 |
| 0.1 | 10 | 5 | 4 |
| 0.2 | 20 | 10 | 8 |
| 0.25 | 25 | 12.5 | 10 |
| 0.3 | 30 | 15 | 12 |
| 0.5 | 50 | 25 | 20 |
| 0.75 | 75 | 37.5 | 30 |
| 1 | 100 | 50 | 40 |
U-50 syringes are rare. A syringe numbered up to 50 is almost always a 0.5 mL U-100 syringe, so check the "U" printed on the barrel or box. The U-50 markings in this chart are a typical layout, not a specific product.
How are 0.3, 0.5 and 1 mL syringes marked?
Each size spaces its lines differently. On U-100 syringes, a 0.3 mL syringe has a line every half unit, a 0.5 mL syringe every unit, and a 1 mL syringe every 2 units.
| Syringe | Holds (units) | One line | Numbered every |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 mL U-100 | 30 | 0.5 units | 5 units |
| 0.5 mL U-100 | 50 | 1 unit | 5 units |
| 1 mL U-100 | 100 | 2 units | 10 units |
| 0.3 mL U-50 | 15 | 0.5 units | 5 units |
| 0.5 mL U-50 | 25 | 0.5 units | 5 units |
| 1 mL U-50 | 50 | 1 unit | 10 units |
| 0.3 mL U-40 | 12 | 0.5 units | 2 units |
| 0.5 mL U-40 | 20 | 0.5 units | 5 units |
| 1 mL U-40 | 40 | 1 unit | 10 units |
Reading your result on the syringe
Find your number of units, then count the lines: on a 1 mL U-100 syringe, 25 units is halfway between the 24 and 26 lines. To turn a dose into units, use the peptide calculator; to convert any number of units or mL, use the syringe units converter. The how to read an insulin syringe guide covers the lines step by step.
Frequently asked questions
How many mL is 1 unit on an insulin syringe?
On a U-100 syringe, 1 unit is 0.01 mL. On a U-50 syringe it is 0.02 mL, and on a U-40 syringe it is 0.025 mL.
How many units are in 1 mL?
A U-100 syringe holds 100 units per mL, a U-50 holds 50 and a U-40 holds 40. The "U" number is the units in 1 mL.
Why does my syringe only go up to 30 or 50?
Smaller syringes hold less. A 0.3 mL U-100 syringe holds 30 units and a 0.5 mL U-100 syringe holds 50. A syringe marked up to 50 is usually a 0.5 mL U-100, not a U-50.
Can I use the same units on a U-40 syringe?
No. The same number of units is a different volume on each type: 10 units is 0.1 mL on U-100 but 0.25 mL on U-40. Always match the syringe type in the calculator to the one in your hand.