At the airport, your suitcase reads 23 kg but the airline talks about pounds. Your workout plan says "lift 135 lb" but your gym plates are in kilos. A recipe calls for 8 ounces and your scale only does grams.
You only need two numbers: 1 kg = 2.205 lb and 1 oz = 28.35 g. For everyday use, 2.2 and 28 are fine.
For the big picture, see our metric to imperial guide. For length, see inches to centimeters.
Kilograms to Pounds: Multiply by 2.205
Worked example: 70 kg to pounds
70 × 2.205 = 154.35 lb → about 154 lb.
Mental trick: Double it and add ten percent of the doubled number. 70 → 140, plus 14 = 154 lb.
Pounds to Kilograms: Divide by 2.205
Worked example: 180 lb to kilograms
180 ÷ 2.205 ≈ 81.6 kg → round to 82 kg.
Mental trick: Halve it, then subtract a tenth. 180 → 90, minus 9 = 81 kg. Close enough.
Grams to Ounces: Divide by 28.35
Worked example: 500 g to ounces
500 ÷ 28.35 ≈ 17.6 oz → about 17½ oz. Handy landmark: 500 g is just over a pound.
Ounces to grams: multiply by 28.35. 8 oz = ~227 g.
Memory Tricks
- kg → lb: "Double it and add ten percent." 50 kg → 100 + 10 = 110 lb (exact: 110.2).
- lb → kg: "Halve it and knock a tenth off." 200 lb → 100 − 10 = 90 kg (exact: 90.7).
- Ounces: ~28 g each — about a slice of bread. 100 g ≈ 3½ oz.
Real-Life Scenarios
Airport: 55 lb ÷ 2.205 ≈ 24.9 kg — over a 23 kg limit. Take the shoes out.
Gym: 135 lb → half is 67.5, minus 6.75 ≈ 61 kg. Load 60 kg.
Parcel: 4 lb 8 oz = 4.5 lb ÷ 2.205 ≈ 2.04 kg — just over a 2 kg price threshold.
Quick Reference
| Metric | Imperial | Say it as |
|---|---|---|
| 1 kg | 2.205 lb | about 2.2 lb |
| 23 kg | 50.7 lb | about 51 lb |
| 70 kg | 154.3 lb | about 154 lb |
| 500 g | 17.64 oz | about 17½ oz |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 2.2 good enough?
For daily life — yes. Use 2.205 for postage or freight where you pay per unit.
How many ounces in a pound?
Sixteen. 16 × 28.35 g = 453.6 g = 1 lb.
My scale shows stones?
1 stone = 14 lb = 6.35 kg. 11 stone = 154 lb ≈ 70 kg.
How this guide was made
Related guides
- Kilometers to Miles and Speed Conversions for Travelers
- Metric to Imperial Made Simple: The Only Conversion Guide You’ll Ever Need
How this guide was made: This guide was written by the ArmTema team, checked against standard reference formulas, and edited for plain-English clarity. The examples use round sample numbers so you can follow the math. Last reviewed: October 2026.