Pound vs. Kilogram — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 21, 2024
A pound is a unit of weight in the imperial system, commonly used in the US, while a kilogram is the base unit of mass in the metric system, globally recognized.
Difference Between Pound and Kilogram
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The pound (lbs) is part of the imperial system of measurements, primarily used in the United States for measuring body weight and various goods. The kilogram (kg), on the other hand, is part of the metric system and is the international standard for mass, used worldwide in scientific, industrial, and everyday contexts.
One pound is defined as exactly 0.45359237 kilograms, making the conversion between pounds and kilograms a common necessity in international trade, science, and travel. Kilograms are defined based on physical constants, specifically the Planck constant, ensuring universal consistency in measurement.
In everyday usage, pounds are often used for body weight measurements in countries like the United States, whereas kilograms are used in most other countries. This distinction reflects the broader adoption of the metric system outside the US. In scientific and technical fields, kilograms are universally used because of their alignment with the International System of Units (SI).
Historically, the pound has its origins in Roman and medieval units, evolving over time into the current definition used in the imperial system. The kilogram was introduced during the French Revolution as part of the metric system, with its definition refined over time to ensure precision in measurements.
Understanding the difference between pounds and kilograms is essential for accurate and effective communication of weight and mass in various contexts, especially in international settings where both systems are in use.
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Comparison Chart
System
Imperial system
Metric system
Usage
Primarily used in the US
Used worldwide, standard in scientific measurements
Definition
1 pound = 0.45359237 kilograms
Base unit of mass in the metric system
Conversion
To convert to kilograms, multiply by 0.45359237
To convert to pounds, multiply by 2.20462
Historical Origin
Evolved from Roman and medieval units
Introduced during the French Revolution
Compare with Definitions
Pound
A unit of weight in the imperial system, commonly used in the US.
The package weighs 5 pounds.
Kilogram
The base unit of mass in the metric system, used globally.
The luggage must not exceed 20 kilograms.
Pound
Pounds are often used for body weight measurements in the US.
He weighs 180 pounds.
Kilogram
Kilograms are standard in scientific and technical fields.
The chemical reaction requires 0.5 kilograms of the substance.
Pound
The abbreviation for pound is "lb" or "lbs."
The recipe calls for 2 lbs of flour.
Kilogram
One kilogram is equivalent to 2.20462 pounds.
A newborn baby weighed 3.5 kilograms, about 7.72 pounds.
Pound
Pounds are also used in everyday items like food packaging.
The cheese is sold in half-pound blocks.
Kilogram
The abbreviation for kilogram is "kg."
She bought 1 kg of apples for the pie.
Pound
Conversion to kilograms requires multiplying by 0.45359237.
50 pounds is equivalent to approximately 22.68 kilograms.
Kilogram
Kilograms are used in various contexts, from groceries to gym weights.
The dumbbells at the gym range from 1 to 25 kilograms.
Pound
A unit of weight equal to 16 ounces (453.592 grams).
Kilogram
The kilogram (also kilogramme) is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI), the metric system, having the unit symbol kg. It is a widely used measure in science, engineering and commerce worldwide, and is often simply called a kilo in everyday speech.
Pound
A unit of apothecary weight equal to 12 ounces (373.242 grams). See Table at measurement.
Kilogram
Abbr. kg The base unit of mass in the International System, equal to 1,000 grams (2.2046 pounds). See Table at measurement.
Pound
A unit of weight differing in various countries and times.
Kilogram
Kilogram force.
Pound
See pound-force.
Kilogram
In the International System of Units, the base unit of mass; conceived of as the mass of one litre of water, but now defined by taking the fixed numerical value of the Planck constant h to be 6.626 070 15 × 10-34 when expressed in units of kg⋅m2⋅s−1. Symbol: kg
Pound
See pound-mass.
Kilogram
(proscribed) The unit of weight such that a one-kilogram mass is also a one-kilogram weight.
Pound
The primary unit of currency in the United Kingdom, worth 20 shillings or 240 old pence before the decimalization of 1971. Also called pound sterling.
Kilogram
A measure of weight, being a thousand grams, equal to 2.2046226 pounds avoirdupois (15,432.34 grains). It is equal to the weight of a cubic decimeter of distilled water at the temperature of maximum density, or 39° Fahrenheit.
Pound
See Table at currency.
Kilogram
One thousand grams; the basic unit of mass adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites;
A kilogram is approximately 2.2 pounds
Pound
The primary unit of currency in Ireland and Cyprus before the adoption of the euro.
Pound
A primary unit of currency in Scotland before the Act of Union (1707). Also called pound scots.
Pound
The pound key on a telephone.
Pound
A heavy blow.
Pound
The sound of a heavy blow; a thump.
Pound
The act of pounding.
Pound
An animal shelter, especially one operated by a public agency to house stray or confiscated animals.
Pound
A public enclosure for the confinement of stray livestock.
Pound
A tank or submerged cage, as on a boat, in which live fish or shellfish are kept.
Pound
New England An establishment at which live lobsters are kept and sold, often also offering no-frills restaurant service.
Pound
A place in which vehicles impounded by the authorities are held until redeemed by their owners.
Pound
(Archaic) A prison.
Pound
To strike repeatedly and forcefully, especially with the hand or a tool
Pounded the nail with a hammer.
Pound
To assault with military force
Pounded the bunker with mortars.
Pound
To beat to a powder or pulp; pulverize or crush
Pound corn into meal.
Pound
To instill by persistent, emphatic repetition
Pounded knowledge into the students' heads.
Pound
To produce energetically, as from forceful use of the hands. Often used with out
"a tinny piano pounding out Happy Birthday down the block" (Laura Kascischke).
Pound
To cause harm or loss to; affect adversely
Stocks that were pounded when energy prices rose.
Pound
To defeat soundly
Pounded their rivals in the season finale.
Pound
To attack verbally; criticize
Was pounded for months in the press.
Pound
(Slang) To drink quickly (a beverage, especially an alcoholic one). Often used with back or down
Pounded back a few beers after work.
Pound
To strike vigorous, repeated blows
He pounded on the table.
Pound
To move along heavily and noisily
The children pounded up the stairs.
Pound
To pulsate rapidly and heavily; throb
My heart pounded.
Pound
To move or work laboriously
A ship that pounded through heavy seas.
Pound
To confine (an animal) in a pound.
Pound
A unit of weight in various measurement systems
Pound
Ellipsis of pound weight
Pound
The translated name of various non-English units of measure
Pound
A unit of mass in various measurement systems
Pound
Ellipsis of pound mass
Pound
The translated name of various non-English units of measure
Pound
A unit of mass equal to 16 avoirdupois ounces (= 453.592 g). Today this value is the most common meaning of "pound" as a unit of weight.
Pound
A unit of mass equal to 12 troy ounces (≈ 373.242 g). Today, this is a common unit of mass when measuring precious metals, and is little used elsewhere.
Pound
A unit of force in various measurement systems
Pound
Ellipsis of pound force
Pound
The translated name of various non-English units of measure
Pound
A unit of currency in various currency systems
Pound
The translated name of various non-English units of currency
Pound
The unit of currency used in the United Kingdom and its dependencies. It is divided into 100 pence. Symbol £.
Pound
Any of various units of currency used in Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan and Syria, and formerly in the Republic of Ireland, Cyprus and Israel.
Pound
Any of various units of currency formerly used in the United States.
The Rhode Island pound; the New Hampshire pound
Pound
(US) The symbol # (octothorpe, hash, number sign)
Pound
A place for the detention of stray or wandering animals.
Dog pound
Pound
(metonymy) The people who work for the pound.
Pound
(UK) A place for the detention of automobiles that have been illegally parked, abandoned, etc.
Pound
A section of a canal between two adjacent locks.
Pound
A kind of fishing net, having a large enclosure with a narrow entrance into which fish are directed by wings spreading outward.
Pound
(Newfoundland) a division inside a fishing stage where cod is cured in salt brine
Pound
A hard blow.
Pound
To wager a pound on.
Pound
To confine in, or as in, a pound; to impound.
Pound
(transitive) To strike hard, usually repeatedly.
Pound
(transitive) To crush to pieces; to pulverize.
Pound
To eat or drink very quickly.
You really pounded that beer!
Pound
To pitch consistently to a certain location.
The pitcher has been pounding the outside corner all night.
Pound
To beat strongly or throb.
As I tiptoed past the sleeping dog, my heart was pounding but I remained silent.
My head was pounding.
Pound
To advance heavily with measured steps.
Pound
(engineering) To make a jarring noise, as when running.
The engine pounds.
Pound
To strike repeatedly with some heavy instrument; to beat.
With cruel blows she pounds her blubbered cheeks.
Pound
To comminute and pulverize by beating; to bruise or break into fine particles with a pestle or other heavy instrument; as, to pound spice or salt.
Pound
To strike heavy blows; to beat.
Pound
To make a jarring noise, as in running; as, the engine pounds.
Pound
To confine in, or as in, a pound; to impound.
Pound
An inclosure, maintained by public authority, in which cattle or other animals are confined when taken in trespassing, or when going at large in violation of law; a pinfold.
Pound
A level stretch in a canal between locks.
Pound
A kind of net, having a large inclosure with a narrow entrance into which fish are directed by wings spreading outward.
Pound
A certain specified weight; especially, a legal standard consisting of an established number of ounces.
Pound
A British denomination of money of account, equivalent to twenty shillings sterling, and equal in value to about $4.86. There is no coin known by this name, but the gold sovereign is of the same value.
Pound
16 ounces;
He tried to lift 100 pounds
Pound
The basic unit of money in Great Britain; equal to 100 pence
Pound
The basic unit of money in Syria; equal to 100 piasters
Pound
The basic unit of money in the Sudan; equal to 100 piasters
Pound
The basic unit of money in Lebanon; equal to 100 piasters
Pound
Formerly the basic unit of money in Ireland; equal to 100 pence
Pound
The basic unit of money in Egypt; equal to 100 piasters
Pound
The basic unit of money in Cyprus; equal to 100 cents
Pound
A nontechnical unit of force equal to the mass of 1 pound with an acceleration of free fall equal to 32 feet/sec/sec
Pound
United States writer who lived in Europe; strongly influenced the development of modern literature (1885-1972)
Pound
A public enclosure for stray or unlicensed dogs;
Unlicensed dogs will be taken to the pound
Pound
The act of pounding (delivering repeated heavy blows);
The sudden hammer of fists caught him off guard
The pounding of feet on the hallway
Pound
Hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument;
The salesman pounded the door knocker
A bible-thumping Southern Baptist
Pound
Strike or drive against with a heavy impact;
Ram the gate with a sledgehammer
Pound on the door
Pound
Move heavily or clumsily;
The heavy man lumbered across the room
Pound
Move rhythmically;
Her heart was beating fast
Pound
Partition off into compartments;
The locks pound the water of the canal
Pound
Shut up or confine in any enclosure or within any bounds or limits;
The prisoners are safely pounded
Pound
Place or shut up in a pound;
Pound the cows so they don't stray
Pound
Break down and crush by beating, as with a pestle;
Pound the roots with a heavy flat stone
Common Curiosities
What is a kilogram?
A kilogram is the base unit of mass in the metric system, used worldwide for scientific, industrial, and everyday measurements.
How do you convert pounds to kilograms?
To convert pounds to kilograms, multiply the number of pounds by 0.45359237.
What is a pound?
A pound is a unit of weight in the imperial system, commonly used in the United States for measuring body weight and goods.
What is the symbol for pounds and kilograms?
The symbol for pounds is "lb" or "lbs," while the symbol for kilograms is "kg."
Is the kilogram based on a physical object?
The kilogram was originally based on a physical prototype, but it is now defined by the Planck constant to ensure universal consistency.
How many pounds are in a kilogram?
There are approximately 2.20462 pounds in a kilogram.
How did the pound originate?
The pound has its origins in Roman and medieval units of measurement, evolving over time into the unit used today in the imperial system.
Is the metric system more accurate than the imperial system?
Accuracy isn't about the system but how measurements are defined and used. The metric system is considered more straightforward and widely adopted for scientific work.
Why is the pound still used if the kilogram is the international standard?
The pound is still used, especially in the US, due to historical conventions and the slow adoption of the metric system in certain regions.
Are pounds and kilograms used interchangeably?
They are not interchangeable but are often converted based on context, especially in international trade and travel.
Can the weight of an object differ in pounds and kilograms?
The weight of an object remains the same, but its numerical value differs when expressed in pounds or kilograms due to the difference in units.
Do all countries use kilograms?
Most countries use kilograms as part of their adoption of the metric system, with the notable exception of the United States.
Why is it important to know both pounds and kilograms?
Knowing both units is crucial for international communication, travel, trade, and science, where both units are in use.
How are pounds and kilograms used in daily life?
Pounds are often used in the US for body weight and goods, while kilograms are used globally for a wide range of purposes, from groceries to gym weights.
What is the advantage of using kilograms over pounds?
Kilograms offer a universal standard that aligns with the SI units, making it preferable in scientific and international contexts.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
