Convert kilogram to pound.

About this conversion

Kilograms-to-pounds: multiply by 2.20462. The reverse of pounds-to-kilograms, common when reading specs originally written in metric — European medical guidance, scientific papers, athletic standards.

Formula

lb = kg × 2.20462

Real-world examples

Reference values

Tips & tricks

• Mental shortcut: multiply by 2.2. 50 kg → 110 lb (roughly).
• Olympic weight plates come in kg; gym plates in the US often use lb. A 20 kg Olympic plate ≈ 44 lb (the closest US gym plate is 45 lb).
• Drug dosing in mg/kg of body weight: for an 80 kg adult, a "5 mg/kg" dose is 400 mg.

Origin & history

See the inverse (lb → kg) for history.

What is a kilogram?

The kilogram is the SI base unit of mass, defined since 2019 by fixing the Planck constant. Body weight, groceries, freight, and most everyday weight measurements outside the US.

What is a pound?

One avoirdupois pound equals exactly 0.45359237 kilograms or 16 ounces. Body weight, groceries, and most everyday weight measurements in the US and informally in the UK.

Real-world examples of kg

It can help to anchor a unit in everyday objects. 10 kg is about the weight of a medium-sized dog; 70 kg is roughly an average adult; and 1000 kg is one metric ton — about the weight of a small car.

How to convert kilogram to pound

To convert a value from kilogram (kg) to pound (lb), apply the conversion factor shown in the formula above. The calculation is the same whether you do it by hand, in a spreadsheet, or with the live converter on this page.

Steps:

1. Take your input value in kg.
2. Apply the formula see formula above.
3. The result is your value in lb.

For repeated calculations, save the formula in a spreadsheet or use the live converter at the top of this page — it handles the math automatically and displays the result as you type.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert kg to lb?

Apply the formula kg → lb shown above, or just type your value into the converter at the top of this page. The result updates instantly.

Which is bigger, kg or lb?

This depends on the conversion ratio in the formula. If the factor multiplied by your value gives a larger number, then lb is the smaller unit (so it takes more of them to express the same quantity). If the result is smaller, then lb is the larger unit.

When would I use kg versus lb?

Both units measure mass, so the choice depends on context. Kilogram is typically used for shipping, scientific measurement, cooking, and commerce; pound similarly. Most professional fields standardize on one or the other based on regional conventions or technical tradition.

How precise is this kg to lb conversion?

The conversion factor shown is the internationally defined exact value (or the best-published approximation if the relationship is irrational, like degrees-to-radians). The live converter on this page uses double-precision floating-point math, accurate to about 15 significant digits — far beyond any practical engineering need.

Is the conversion ratio exact, or an approximation?

Most unit conversions between SI metric units, and between SI and US customary units, have been formally defined as exact values since the 1959 international yard-pound agreement and subsequent SI redefinitions. Exceptions are unit pairs that involve irrational numbers (radians, e.g.) or empirical conversions (like food calories, which depend on temperature). When in doubt, consult the formula at the top of this page.

Related conversions

See also