A unit of mass equal to one thousandth of a gram. The label may refer to an ingredient, an extract or the entire portion. Before comparing the numbers, you need to check what they refer to and whether they are given per capsule, daily portion or the entire package.
Unit of mass and its conversion
A milligram is one thousandth of a gram. Therefore, 1000 mg means 1 g, while 1 mg corresponds to 1000 µg. The same unit may describe the mass of a plant powder, extract or isolated compound. Congruence of units is necessary for comparison, but it is not sufficient: it is still necessary to determine what is weighed. It is also worth distinguishing the amount in one tablet from the amount in several tablets making up the recommended dose. This sorting prevents comparisons between different bases.
If there are divergent values, it is not worth choosing a larger number right away. First, check whether one applies to a single capsule and the other to the entire portion. Only a common basis allows for meaningful comparison. The weight of a larger mixture does not mean a larger amount of each of its ingredients.
Meaning and application
A milligram describes mass, not potency. When comparing supplements, determine what the number refers to: the entire raw material, ingredient or indicated part of the extract. A similar product title does not guarantee the same basis for the declaration.
In practice
Write down the amount together with the ingredient name and table heading. Compare figures using the same unit and serving basis. If one label refers to one capsule and the other to two, record that difference before making a calculation.
Do not add milligrams of different substances when creating an effectiveness ranking. Also, do not confuse the mass of a chemical salt with the declaration of the element itself. A larger total does not confirm better fit or justify increasing portion sizes.