Kg To Lbs (Kilograms To Pounds) Conversion

Wondering how many pounds in a kilogram? How to convert from kg to lbs (kilograms to pounds)? It can be confusing. That's why we create this conversion tool, to help people deal with the complicated conversion unit!

Kilogram (kg) definition

The kilogram is a base unit of mass in the metric system or the International System of Units. The kilogram can be abbreviated as kg and sometimes can be shortened as “kilo” colloquially. As its prefix “kilo” indicates, 1 kilogram (or 1 kg) equals 1000 grams.

Kilogram history

Originally, in the late 18th century, 1 kilogram was defined as the weight of 1 cubic centimeter of water at 4 degrees Celsius. In 1879, it was redefined as exactly equal to the mass of a cylinder made of platinum and iridium, which was known as the International Prototype of the Kilogram (IPK) and kept by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) in Sèvres, France. However, the physical environment can impact the artifact and change its weight. In 1989, it was discovered that the cylinder was 50 micrograms lighter. To be independent of physical impacts, the kilogram was defined in terms of the Planck constant, which expresses the relationship between the energy of a photon and its frequency.

Kilogram current use

For a long time, the metric system is standard across Europe. Tell someone your weight in pounds in Germany or France and you will not be understood.

The only exception to this is the UK, where both the metric system and imperial measures are used. However, British people never express their weight in pounds when using imperial measures because they always use stones, a unit equivalent to fourteen pounds. Someone who weighs 148 pounds in the US would therefore weigh “about ten and half stone” in the UK, or “ten stone eight” if they are being precise.

Pound (lb) definition

Pound, or avoirdupois pound (standard symbols: lb), is a unit of mass or weight in the UK imperial systems or the US customary systems of measurement. One pound equals 0.45359237 kilograms as legally defined in the international avoirdupois system or 16 avoirdupois ounces. 

Pound history

Historically, the term “pound” is derived from the Roman expression libra pondo, in which pondo means weight and libra (scale or balance) is a mass unit used in ancient Rome. That’s why the pound is abbreviated as lb.

Pound current use

The U.S. is really the only industrialized nation that officially uses pounds today, most other industrialized nations have metricated and switched over to kilograms.

Other countries which partially (but do not officially) use pounds include: Liberia, Burma, Canada, United Kingdom (partially), Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Samoa, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Jamaica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Macau.

And of course, many other Commonwealth nations which previously used Imperial Units (e.g. New Zealand and Australia) still informally will measure in pounds, especially for baby weight.

Relationship between kg to lbs (kilograms to pounds)

Kilogram and pound are two different measurement units. They are used for different purposes but also share a relationship with one another. This relationship is a bit complex to understand. Therefore, for convenience, we’ve listed their relationship below: 

1 kg = 2.2046226218 lbs

1lb = 0.45359237 kg

Keeping in mind these values to convert kilograms and pounds with ease.

Difference between kilograms and pounds (kg & lbs)

Now you know about the relationship between kilograms and pounds, kg and lbs share many things in common. But, they also have differences, let's explore in the table below:

Kilograms to Pounds (Kg To Lbs) Conversion Chart

Now you know what's the formula to convert kg to lbs, let's go through the list of most common kilograms to pounds conversions

Converting Kg to Lbs with Formula and Examples

Converting kilograms to pounds is quite straightforward. 1 kilogram approximately equals 2.2 pounds, so to convert kilograms to pounds, you just multiply the mass value by 2.2.

Pounds = kilograms x 2.2

Let’s say, you find out that your foreign friend’s weight is 45 kg, which doesn’t make much sense to you. You can convert it into pounds.

45 x 2.2 = 99 pounds.

Now you can have some image of your friend’s figure. Now you know how to convert from kilograms to pounds, feel free to read more related infos in the Pounds To Kilograms | Ton to Pound

Example 1: Convert 60 Kilograms to Pounds?

Since 1 kg  = 2.2046226218 lbs

= 60 x 2.2046226218

= 132,277357308 lbs

Example 2: Convert 50 Kilograms to Pounds?

Since 1 kg  = 2.2046226218 lbs

= 50 x 2.2046226218

= 110.23113109 lbs

Example 3: Convert 20 Kilograms to Pounds?

Since 1 kg  = 2.2046226218 lbs

= 20 x 2.2046226218

= 44,092452436 lbs

Example 4: Convert 10 Kilograms to Pounds?

Since 1 kg  = 2.2046226218 lbs

= 20 x 2.2046226218

= 22,046226218 lbs

FAQ's about kg to lbs conversion

What is a kilogram defined as?

Before 2019, 1 kg equaled the weight of a platinum -  iridium cylinder called the International Prototype of the Kilogram (IPK). Since 2019, the kilogram has been defined in terms of the Planck constant

What is 1 kg to lbs?

1 kg = 2.2 lb (approximately)

What is a kilo made up of?

1 kilo = 1000 grams = 1 liter of water at 4 degrees Celsius.

What is my weight from kg to lbs?

Pounds = Kg x 2.2

What does kg mean in weight?

Kg is the unit symbol of the kilogram, a unit of weight in the metric system. 1 kg = 1000 g.

How much is 20 kg in lbs?

It is 44.093452 lbs.

How much is 10 kg in lbs?

It is 22.0462262 lbs.

How much is 8 kg in lbs?

It is 17,6369809744 lbs.

How much is 30 kg in lbs?

It is 66,138678654 lbs.

Conclusion

Both kg and lbs are so common in mass measuring. Each of them has significant meaning and is related to each other closely. We hope that you have learned more about these units & converting from kg to lbs and don’t forget to check out our other tools in Calculatorful.