Weight Converter: Kilograms, Pounds & Stone Explained
Kilograms on a gym scale, pounds on a US shipping label, stone on a UK doctor's chart — weight units vary by country and context more than almost any other measurement. This guide covers the exact conversion factors, common reference points to sanity-check your math, and where each unit is actually used.
Common Weight Conversion Factors
| From | To | Multiply By |
|---|---|---|
| Kilograms | Pounds | 2.20462 |
| Pounds | Kilograms | 0.453592 |
| Kilograms | Stone | 0.157473 |
| Stone | Kilograms | 6.35029 |
| Ounces | Grams | 28.3495 |
| Grams | Ounces | 0.035274 |
Worked Examples
- 70 kg to lbs: 70 × 2.20462 ≈ 154.3 lbs
- 180 lbs to kg: 180 × 0.453592 ≈ 81.6 kg
- 75 kg to stone: 75 × 0.157473 ≈ 11.8 stone (about 11 stone 11 lbs)
- 8 oz to grams: 8 × 28.3495 ≈ 226.8 g
Where Each Unit Is Actually Used
- Kilograms — the standard unit almost everywhere outside the US, used for body weight, groceries, and shipping
- Pounds — the everyday unit in the US for body weight and most retail contexts
- Stone — used in the UK and Ireland specifically for body weight (1 stone = 14 lbs); rarely used for anything else
- Ounces and grams — used for smaller quantities: food portions, packages, and precision measurements like jewelry (though jewelry sometimes uses troy ounces, a different unit from standard ounces)
Quick Mental-Math Shortcuts
- Kg to lbs: multiply by 2.2 (close enough for most everyday uses)
- Lbs to kg: divide by 2.2, or multiply by 0.45
- Kg to stone: divide by 6.35, or multiply by 0.157
For recipes, fitness tracking, or casual conversation, these shortcuts are fine. For medical dosing, shipping cost calculations, or anything regulatory, use exact figures — small errors compound at scale.
Common Mix-Up: Weight vs. Mass
Kilograms technically measure mass, while pounds (in the force sense) technically measure weight — a subtlety from physics that almost never matters in everyday conversions, since on Earth's surface the two are proportional and used interchangeably in daily life. This distinction only becomes relevant in physics and engineering contexts involving different gravitational conditions.
How to Use the Weight Converter
- Open the Weight Converter
- Enter your value and select the starting unit
- Choose your target unit for an instant, accurate conversion
- Supports kilograms, grams, pounds, ounces, stone, and metric tons
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pounds are in a stone?
Exactly 14 pounds. A person weighing 11 stone weighs 154 lbs (11 × 14).
Why does US shipping use pounds but most of the world uses kilograms?
The US never fully converted to the metric system for everyday use, unlike most other countries. This means international shipments often require converting between the sender's and recipient's units, especially for weight-based shipping cost calculations.
Is a metric ton the same as a US ton?
No. A metric ton (tonne) is 1,000 kg (≈2,204.6 lbs). A US "short ton" is 2,000 lbs (≈907.2 kg). A UK "long ton" is 2,240 lbs (≈1,016 kg). Always confirm which "ton" is meant in shipping or industrial contexts.
