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Convert kilograms to pounds instantly with our free online calculator. Essential for body weight tracking, shipping, cooking measurements, sports and fitness, and medical applications worldwide.
2.20462
Pounds per Kilogram
0.4536
Kilograms per Pound
453.6 g
Grams per Pound
Formula: Pounds = Kilograms x 2.20462
| Kilograms (kg) | Pounds (lbs) | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 kg | 1.102 lbs | Small package / butter block |
| 1 kg | 2.205 lbs | Bag of sugar |
| 2.5 kg | 5.512 lbs | Small dumbbell |
| 5 kg | 11.023 lbs | Bag of flour |
| 10 kg | 22.046 lbs | Carry-on luggage limit (some airlines) |
| 20 kg | 44.092 lbs | Checked baggage (economy) |
| 25 kg | 55.116 lbs | Standard cement bag |
| 50 kg | 110.231 lbs | Large suitcase (overweight) |
| 70 kg | 154.324 lbs | Average adult body weight |
| 80 kg | 176.370 lbs | Average male body weight |
| 90 kg | 198.416 lbs | Heavyweight athlete range |
| 100 kg | 220.462 lbs | Olympic weightlifting class |
| 150 kg | 330.693 lbs | Large appliance |
| 200 kg | 440.925 lbs | Grand piano |
| 500 kg | 1,102.31 lbs | Half a metric ton |
The kilogram (symbol: kg) is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI). It is used as the standard measurement of weight in virtually every country on Earth except the United States, Liberia, and Myanmar. Since 2019, the kilogram has been defined by fixing the value of the Planck constant, replacing the century-old physical platinum-iridium cylinder that was kept at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures near Paris. One kilogram equals 1,000 grams, and the metric system's decimal structure makes it straightforward to convert between grams, kilograms, and metric tons.
The pound (symbol: lb, from the Latin libra) is a unit of mass in the imperial and US customary measurement systems. The most commonly used variant is the avoirdupois pound, defined as exactly 0.45359237 kilograms by international agreement since 1959. One pound contains 16 ounces. The pound remains the primary unit of weight in everyday American life -- from grocery shopping and cooking to body weight and shipping.
The relationship between these units is: 1 kg = 2.20462 pounds, or equivalently, 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Understanding this conversion is critical for international shipping, cross-border e-commerce, medical dosing, sports and fitness tracking, recipe adaptation, and travel between metric and imperial countries.
The formula to convert kilograms to pounds is: Pounds = Kilograms x 2.20462. Multiply the weight in kilograms by 2.20462 to get the equivalent in pounds.
Question: A person weighs 70 kg. How much is that in pounds?
Question: An airline checked bag weighs 23 kg. How many pounds is that?
Note: Most US airlines set checked bag limits at 50 lbs, which is why the 23 kg international standard exists.
Question: A recipe calls for 0.25 kg of chicken breast. How many pounds is that?
For a quick estimate, double the kilograms and add 10%. For example: 50 kg doubled is 100, plus 10% (10) = 110 lbs. The exact answer is 110.23 lbs -- only 0.2% off. Another approach: multiply by 2.2 directly. So 80 kg x 2.2 = 176 lbs (exact: 176.37). Both shortcuts work well for everyday mental calculations.
| Category | Kilograms | Pounds |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn baby | 3.5 kg | 7.72 lbs |
| Toddler (2 years) | 12 kg | 26.5 lbs |
| Child (8 years) | 25 kg | 55.1 lbs |
| Average adult female | 62 kg | 136.7 lbs |
| Average adult male | 80 kg | 176.4 lbs |
| Heavyweight boxer | 91+ kg | 200+ lbs |
| Sumo wrestler (avg) | 150 kg | 330.7 lbs |
| Item | Kilograms | Pounds |
|---|---|---|
| Small parcel (letter+) | 0.5 kg | 1.1 lbs |
| Standard package | 2 kg | 4.4 lbs |
| Carry-on bag (limit) | 7–10 kg | 15.4–22.0 lbs |
| Checked bag (economy) | 23 kg | 50.7 lbs |
| Checked bag (business) | 32 kg | 70.5 lbs |
| Overweight bag threshold | 32+ kg | 70+ lbs |
| Heavy freight pallet | 500 kg | 1,102 lbs |
| Ingredient | Kilograms | Pounds |
|---|---|---|
| Stick of butter | 0.113 kg | 0.25 lbs |
| Chicken breast (1 piece) | 0.2 kg | 0.44 lbs |
| Bag of sugar | 1 kg | 2.20 lbs |
| Bag of flour | 2.27 kg | 5.0 lbs |
| Whole chicken | 1.8 kg | 3.97 lbs |
| Thanksgiving turkey | 6–8 kg | 13.2–17.6 lbs |
| Bag of potatoes | 4.5 kg | 9.92 lbs |
Medical records, BMI calculations, and fitness trackers may use either unit depending on the country. Doctors in metric countries record weight in kg, while US medical charts use pounds. Accurate conversion ensures correct medication dosing, dietary planning, and health monitoring across systems.
International shipping carriers quote rates in kilograms, while USPS and UPS use pounds domestically. Cross-border e-commerce sellers must accurately convert product weights for customs declarations, shipping cost calculations, and compliance with carrier weight limits.
European and Asian recipes measure ingredients in grams and kilograms, while American recipes use pounds and ounces. Home cooks adapting international recipes need reliable kg-to-pounds conversion to achieve the correct proportions and consistent results.
Olympic weightlifting, boxing, MMA, and wrestling use kilogram weight classes internationally. Athletes training in the US often think in pounds but compete in kilogram-defined divisions. Accurate conversion is essential for weight cuts, training loads, and competition preparation.
Drug dosages are often calculated per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg). In US hospitals, patients weighed in pounds need their weight converted to kilograms for accurate medication dosing. Pediatric dosing especially depends on precise kg measurements to ensure safety.
Scientific publications, agricultural yields, industrial specifications, and trade agreements use kilograms globally. Americans reading international data, or international professionals working with US partners, need fluent conversion between kg and pounds for accurate communication.
Multiplying by 2.2 gives a result within 0.2% of the exact value -- perfect for everyday use like body weight or grocery shopping.
Double the kg value, then add 10% of the doubled number. Example: 30 kg → 60 + 6 = 66 lbs (exact: 66.14 lbs).
If your result is smaller than the kg input, you divided instead of multiplied. Pounds will always be a larger number than kilograms.
Kg to pounds requires multiplication by 2.20462. Dividing by 2.20462 converts pounds to kg -- the wrong direction.
Using 2 kg of flour instead of 2 lbs means using more than double the intended amount. Always check whether a recipe uses metric or imperial measurements before starting.
This underestimates by about 10%. One kilogram is 2.205 pounds, not 2. Over large quantities, this error compounds significantly.
One kilogram equals approximately 2.20462 pounds. This is based on the international avoirdupois pound, which is defined as exactly 0.45359237 kilograms. For quick mental math, multiply kilograms by 2.2 for a close estimate.
A kilogram is heavier than a pound. One kilogram is approximately 2.2 times the mass of one pound. Put another way, one pound is only about 0.4536 kilograms, or roughly 454 grams.
Multiply the number of kilograms by 2.20462. For example: 5 kg x 2.20462 = 11.023 pounds. For a quick estimate, multiply by 2.2 -- the result will be within 0.2% of the exact value.
Kilograms are part of the metric system (SI), used by the vast majority of countries worldwide. Pounds belong to the imperial/US customary system, still used primarily in the United States, Liberia, and Myanmar. The metric system is preferred for its decimal-based simplicity and scientific standardization.
Multiply your weight in kilograms by 2.20462. For example, a person weighing 70 kg weighs approximately 154.3 pounds. Most gym equipment, medical charts, and fitness apps provide both units, but knowing the conversion helps when traveling between metric and imperial countries.
Since 2019, the kilogram is defined by fixing the Planck constant at exactly 6.62607015 x 10^-34 joule-seconds. Previously it was defined by a physical platinum-iridium cylinder kept in Paris. The kilogram is the only SI base unit with a prefix (kilo) in its name.
The inverse is exact: 1 pound = exactly 0.45359237 kg by international agreement. Therefore 1 kg = 1/0.45359237 = 2.20462262... pounds. The commonly used factor 2.20462 is rounded to five decimal places, which is accurate enough for virtually all practical purposes.
First multiply kilograms by 2.20462 to get total pounds. Then take the decimal portion and multiply by 16 to get ounces. For example: 3.5 kg = 7.716 lbs. The whole number is 7 pounds; 0.716 x 16 = 11.46 ounces. So 3.5 kg is approximately 7 lbs 11 oz.
This calculator uses the internationally recognized conversion factor of 1 kg = 2.20462 pounds (derived from 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg). For medical dosing, scientific research, or legal trade measurements, always verify conversions with appropriate professional standards and certified equipment.