* Know the conversion: 1 gram (g) = 1000 milligrams (mg)

* Calculate the percentage: 2% of 1 gram is (2/100) * 1 gram = 0.02 grams

* Convert to milligrams: 0.02 grams * 1000 mg/g = 20 mg

Therefore, 2 percent of a gram equals 20 milligrams.