Kilograms ⇄ Pounds Converter

How to convert kilograms to pounds

To convert kilograms to pounds, divide the value by 0.45359237, or multiply it by about 2.20462.

lb = kg ÷ 0.45359237

Example: 10 kg ÷ 0.45359237 = 22.0462 lb

How to convert pounds to kilograms

To convert pounds to kilograms, multiply the value by 0.45359237.

kg = lb × 0.45359237

Example: 10 lb × 0.45359237 = 4.53592 kg

1 kg = 2.20462 lb · 1 lb = 0.453592 kg

The international pound is defined as exactly 0.45359237 kilograms, so one kilogram is about 2.2 pounds. Pounds are common for body weight and food in the United States and the United Kingdom.

About kilograms and pounds

The kilogram is the base unit of mass in the metric system. For 130 years it was defined by a platinum-iridium cylinder kept near Paris; since 2019 it has been defined through the Planck constant, so it no longer depends on a physical object that could change. The pound comes from the Roman libra, which is why its symbol is “lb”. One pound is 16 ounces, and in the UK 14 pounds make a stone.

Body weight in pounds and stones

In the United States, body weight is given in pounds: a 70 kg adult weighs about 154 lb. In the UK, people often use stones and pounds instead, so the same person is 11 st 0 lb, or simply “11 stone”. One stone is 6.35 kg.

The BMI Calculator and the Calorie Calculator both accept kilograms or pounds, so you don’t have to convert first.

Luggage, gym weights and shopping

• Checked bags. Baggage limits are often written as “23 kg / 50 lb”, but the two are not identical: 23 kg is 50.7 lb and 50 lb is 22.7 kg. Likewise, 32 kg is 70.5 lb. If your bag is close to the limit, weigh it in the unit the airline uses.
• Gym equipment. A standard Olympic barbell weighs 20 kg (44.1 lb), while many American gyms label bars and plates as 45 lb (20.4 kg). Swapping between the two sets changes the total slightly.
• Groceries. Prices per pound look lower than prices per kilogram for the same item: $5.00 per pound is $11.02 per kilogram.

Quick mental math

• Kilograms to pounds: double it, then add 10%. 70 kg → 140 + 14 = 154 lb (exact: 154.32 lb), within 0.3%.
• Pounds to kilograms: halve it, then subtract 10%. 150 lb → 75 − 7.5 = 67.5 kg (exact: 68.04 kg), within 1%.

Common mistakes

• Only halving. Dividing pounds by 2 gives a kilogram figure about 10% too high: 200 lb is 90.7 kg, not 100 kg.
• Misreading stones. “11 st 4” means 11 stone 4 pounds (158 lb, 71.7 kg), not 11.4 stone.
• Worrying about “lb” versus “lbs”. They are the same unit. “lb” is the standard symbol and “lbs” is just an informal plural.

FAQ

Is a kilogram a unit of weight or mass?

Strictly, of mass. A bathroom scale measures the pull of gravity but displays the result as mass in kilograms or pounds, which works fine for everyday use on Earth.

How many pounds is 100 kg?

220.46 lb. For quick sums, 1 kg ≈ 2.2 lb is accurate to about 0.2%.

Why do food packages say 1 lb = 454 g?

One pound is 453.59237 g, which labels round to 454 g. A half-pound pack is 226.8 g, often printed as 227 g.

How do I convert stones to kilograms?

Multiply the stones by 14 and add the extra pounds, then convert the total pounds. For example, 12 st 6 lb = 174 lb = 78.9 kg.

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