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Micrograms to IU Converter

Convert mcg to IU for vitamins. An International Unit is defined separately for each substance, so choose your vitamin and form below.

Micrograms ⇄ International Units
mcg
=
IU
Vitamin:
Result25 mcg = 1000 IU (Vitamin D)
Quick answer
The International Unit measures biological activity, so its size differs by substance. For vitamin D, 1 mcg = 40 IU, which is why 25 mcg is 1000 IU. Vitamin A as retinol is 1 mcg to 3.33 IU, and vitamin E depends on whether it is the natural or synthetic form. Pick the vitamin to get the right factor.

Conversion table

Micrograms (mcg)International Units (IU)
10 mcg400
15 mcg600
20 mcg800
25 mcg1000
50 mcg2000
100 mcg4000
125 mcg5000
250 mcg10000

How to convert mcg to IU

IU = mcg × (factor)vitamin D = 40 IU/mcg · reverse: mcg = IU ÷ factor
mcg
micrograms of the vitamin
IU
the equivalent International Units
factor
IU per mcg, set by the vitamin and form

Because IU is form-specific, converting only makes sense for a named substance. This is reference information, not dosing advice.

Frequently asked questions

How many IU is 25 mcg of vitamin D?

25 mcg of vitamin D is 1000 IU, since the factor is 40 IU per microgram.

How many mcg is 5000 IU of vitamin D?

5000 IU is 125 mcg of vitamin D.

Why is there no single mcg-to-IU number?

Because an IU is defined by biological activity for each substance, so vitamin D, A and E all use different factors.

What is 1 mcg of vitamin A in IU?

About 3.33 IU as retinol (RAE); beta-carotene forms use smaller factors.

Quick facts
Vitamin D
1 mcg = 40 IU
Vitamin A (retinol)
1 mcg = 3.33 IU
25 mcg vit D
1000 IU
Note
form-specific