Pound to Kilogram Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert pounds to kilograms with our free online weight converter.
Pound to Kilogram Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Pound).
- The converted value in Kilogram will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Weight category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Pound to Kilogram
Converting Pound to Kilogram involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Pound = 0.453592 kilogramsExample Calculation:
Convert 5 pounds: 5 × 0.453592 = 2.26796 kilograms
Common Conversion Scenarios:
- Luggage Weight Check: An airline baggage limit of 50 lb equals 22.6796 kg.
- Grocery Shopping: Buying 3 lb of potatoes is the same as 1.3608 kg.
- Workout Weights: A 25 lb dumbbell corresponds to 11.3398 kg.
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
What is a Pound and a Kilogram?
The pound (avoirdupois) is a unit of mass used in the imperial and US customary systems. It is defined as exactly 0.45359237 kilograms.
The kilogram is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined based on the fixed numerical value of the Planck constant.
Note: The Pound is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Kilogram belongs to the metric (SI) system.
History of the Pound and Kilogram
Originates from the Roman 'libra'. The avoirdupois pound became the standard for commerce in England and was later adopted in the US.
Originally defined as the mass of one liter of water. Later, it was represented by the International Prototype of the Kilogram (IPK), a platinum-iridium cylinder. In 2019, the definition was changed to be based on fundamental physical constants.
Common Uses for pounds and kilograms
Explore the typical applications for both Pound (imperial/US) and Kilogram (metric) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for pounds
- Body Weight: The primary unit for measuring human body weight in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, commonly seen on personal scales.
- Food & Groceries (US/UK): Standard unit for selling and pricing produce (e.g., apples, potatoes by the pound), meat, cheese, and deli items. Recipe ingredients are often measured in pounds or ounces.
- General Weight: Used for everyday weight measurements in non-scientific contexts in the US/UK, such as package weight for domestic shipping or luggage weight.
- Specific Applications: Sometimes used in technical fields like measuring tire pressure (pounds per square inch, PSI - though PSI is pressure, not mass) or fishing line strength (lb-test).
Common Uses for kilograms
- Global Standard: The primary unit for mass in science (physics, chemistry), engineering calculations, and international trade (e.g., commodity pricing).
- Body Weight: Widely used worldwide (outside the US/UK primarily) for measuring human body weight for health and fitness tracking.
- Food & Groceries: Used for selling and labeling larger quantities of food items like rice, flour, sugar, and some produce in metric countries.
- Shipping & Logistics: Standard unit for calculating weights of packages and freight internationally.
- Everyday Objects: Measuring the mass of common items like furniture, electronics, or luggage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Pound (lb)
What measurement system uses pounds?
The pound (lb) is a key unit in the imperial and US customary measurement systems.
Where is the pound commonly used?
Primarily in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada for everyday measurements like body weight and groceries.
How many ounces are in a pound?
There are exactly 16 avoirdupois ounces (oz) in 1 avoirdupois pound (lb).
About Kilogram (kg)
What is the base unit of mass in the SI system?
The kilogram (kg) is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI).
Is the kilogram used worldwide?
Yes, it's the global standard for science, engineering, and international trade, and widely used for everyday measurements in most countries.
How was the kilogram originally defined?
It was initially defined as the mass of one liter of water, later represented by a physical artifact (the IPK), and is now based on the Planck constant.
Conversion Table: Pound to Kilogram
| Pound (lb) | Kilogram (kg) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.454 |
| 5 | 2.268 |
| 10 | 4.536 |
| 25 | 11.34 |
| 50 | 22.68 |
| 100 | 45.359 |
| 500 | 226.796 |
| 1,000 | 453.592 |
All Weight Conversions
Other Units from Weight
- Gram (g)
- Milligram (mg)
- Ounce (oz)
- Stone (st)
- Ton (metric) (t)
- Ton (US) (ton)
- Ton (UK) (long ton)
- Microgram (µg)
- Carat (ct)
- Slug (sl)
- Troy Ounce (oz t)
- Pennyweight (dwt)
- Grain (gr)
- Dram (dr)
- Quintal (q)
- Atomic Mass Unit (u)
- Pavan (India) (pavan)
- Kati (India) (kati)
- Masha (India) (masha)
- Dina (India) (dina)
- Pras (India) (pras)
- Lota (India) (lota)