The exact factor
The pound is defined as exactly 0.45359237 kg, so one pound is 453.59237 grams. It is an exact number, not a rounded one. For a rough figure in your head, multiply pounds by 450 and nudge up a touch.
Common weights
| Pounds | Grams | Ounces | Kilograms |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 lb | 226.80 g | 8 oz | 0.23 kg |
| 1 lb | 453.59 g | 16 oz | 0.45 kg |
| 2 lb | 907.18 g | 32 oz | 0.91 kg |
| 5 lb | 2,267.96 g | 80 oz | 2.27 kg |
| 10 lb | 4,535.92 g | 160 oz | 4.54 kg |
| 50 lb | 22,679.62 g | 800 oz | 22.68 kg |
| 100 lb | 45,359.24 g | 1,600 oz | 45.36 kg |
Recipes convert the same way: 2 lb of butter is 907 g. Weighing ingredients beats measuring by cup, since a cup of flour can vary by 20 g or more.
Pounds, ounces and the troy trap
- 16 ounces to the pound. The everyday (avoirdupois) ounce is 28.35 g, and 16 of them make a pound. Baby weights in "lb and oz" convert part by part.
- Troy is different. Gold and silver use the troy pound of 373.24 g (12 troy ounces of 31.1 g each). Do not mix it with the kitchen or bathroom-scale pound.
- Exact, not approximate. 453.59237 g is a defined value. Rounding to 453.6 g is fine for shopping but keep the full figure for lab or shipping-limit work.
Common questions
How many grams are in a pound?
One pound is exactly 453.59237 grams, fixed by the 1959 international agreement that set the pound at 0.45359237 kilograms. For everyday use, 453.6 g is close enough.
How do I convert pounds and ounces to grams?
Convert each part and add them. Pounds times 453.59 plus ounces times 28.35. So 7 lb 4 oz is (7 x 453.59) + (4 x 28.35) = about 3,289 g.
Is the pound the same everywhere?
The everyday avoirdupois pound is 453.59 g and is standard in the US and UK. The troy pound used for precious metals is different, at 373.24 g. Most other countries use grams and kilograms.
