# Weight Converter

Created by Krishna Nelaturu
Last updated: Jul 07, 2022

Whether you want to convert lbs to kg or kg to lbs, our weight converter is a handy tool to convert weight from one unit to another. In this article, we shall discuss the different weight measurement units available. We shall also look at a weight conversion chart to understand how the conversion works!

## What is weight? Mass vs Weight

Physics and English are "different languages", and the term 'weight' is a classic example of this distinction. What we call weight in our daily use actually refers to the mass of an object according to physics, which is the amount of matter contained within. The SI unit for mass is kilograms (kg). In physics, weight is the force an object exerts due to the gravitational force on its mass. We measure it with the same units as force (Newtons).

In this weight converter, we shall exclusively focus on mass conversion. If you're keen on the weight measurement as a force, head to our force converter instead.

## Weight measurement units

Apart from the SI unit kilogram, there are other units to measure weight. We shall discuss them here briefly:

1. Grams, milligrams, and more: It can be numerically convenient to express certain weight measurements with units that are multiples of a kilogram. A gram (g) is $\frac{1}{1000}^{th}$ of a kilogram. So it is easier to say one gram (1 g) instead of one-thousandth of a kilogram (0.001 kg). The following weight conversion table gives some prefixes on a gram that give more convenient units:

Weight conversion table for multiples of grams.

Name

Symbol

Value

picogram

pg

10-12 g

nanogram

ng

10-9 g

microgram

μg

10-6 g

milligram

mg

10-3 g

gram

g

1 g

kilogram

kg

103 g

Megagram (Tonne)

Mg(t)

106 g

1. Pounds (lbs): The pound (lbs) is a British imperial unit for measuring mass (weight). One pound is approximately equal to 0.453592 kg. It is in everyday use in the US and the UK.

2. Ounces (oz): The avoirdupois ounce is equal to $\frac{1}{16}^{th}$ of a pound. It is helpful to measure small food packets and postal items.

3. Stone: Stone is an English and Imperial unit equal to 14 pounds. It is customary in the UK to measure body weight in stones instead of pounds or kilos.

4. Short ton, long ton, and tonne: Tons are convenient for measuring massive bodies like heavy equipment or structures.

• Short ton or US ton is equal to 2000 pounds (approximately 907.185 kg).
• Long ton or Imperial ton is equal to 2240 pounds (approximately 1016 kg).
• Tonne or metric ton is equal to 1000 kg (about 2204.6 pounds).

Apart from these, there are some specialized units to measure the weight of specific items:

1. Atomic mass unit: The atomic mass unit or dalton (u or Da) is prevalent in physics and chemistry for measuring atomic particles. It is equal to $\frac{1}{12}^{th}$ the mass of a neutral Carbon-12 atom. $1 \text{ u} \approx 1.66 \times 10^{-27}\text{ kg}$.

2. Troy ounce: It is common to use the troy ounce to measure precious metals. One troy ounce (oz t) is equal to 31.1034768 grams.

3. Earth-mass and Solar-mass: In astronomy, using kilograms or tonnes won't cut it. To measure cosmic objects like planets and stars, astronomers use the weight of our home planet and star as a reference unit. As the name suggests, Earth-mass is equal to the mass of the Earth (approximately $5.9722 \times 10^{24} \text{ kg}$) and Solar-mass is equal to the mass of the Sun (approximately $2 \times 10^{30} \text{ kg}$).

You can play with all these units in our weight converter!

## Weight conversion chart

The following weight conversion chart will help you decide which unit is best for your application and how to convert your unit into another.

## How to use this weight converter

This weight converter is the perfect tool for anyone who wishes to convert weight.

1. Scroll through the different sections of the weight converter and find the field with your weight unit. If you don't see your unit, you can click on the unit in each section and select a different unit from the list.
2. Enter the weight measurement.
3. The converter will automatically convert the value into every other weight unit available. Again, if you don't find the unit you desire, try looking for it in the list by clicking on the unit symbol in each section.

Are you having fun with our weight converter? We have more converters for you! Try our length converter next!

Krishna Nelaturu
Metric
mg
g
kg
t
Imperial/US
oz
lb
stone
US ton
Other
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oz t
Earths
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