Pound (lb) - Unit Information & Conversion
What is a Pound?
Definition
The pound (avoirdupois) is a unit of mass used in the imperial and US customary systems. It is defined as exactly 0.45359237 kilograms.
History
Originates from the Roman 'libra'. The avoirdupois pound became the standard for commerce in England and was later adopted in the US.
Common Uses
- 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).
Unit FAQs
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).
Pound Conversion Formulas
To Kilogram:
To Gram:
To Milligram:
To Ounce:
To Stone:
To Ton (metric):
To Ton (US):
To Ton (UK):
To Microgram:
To Carat:
To Slug:
To Troy Ounce:
To Pennyweight:
To Grain:
To Dram:
To Quintal:
To Atomic Mass Unit:
To Pavan (India):
To Kati (India):
To Masha (India):
To Dina (India):
To Pras (India):
To Lota (India):
Convert Pound
Need to convert Pound to other weight units? Use our conversion tool.