Kilograms are used in Pakistan and most of the world, while pounds are common in the US and still used in the UK and on many gym machines. Whether you are checking your weight on a foreign app, buying a dumbbell or packing for a flight, you need to convert kg to lbs. This guide shows the exact method, a quick mental shortcut and a chart, and you can check any number with our free KG to LBS Converter converter.
The exact formula
pounds = kilograms × 2.20462
One kilogram equals about 2.20462 pounds. For most everyday purposes, 2.2 is accurate enough.
Examples
- 70 kg × 2.20462 = 154.3 lb
- 5 kg × 2.20462 = 11.0 lb
- 23 kg × 2.20462 = 50.7 lb (a common checked-bag limit)
Mental shortcut
Double the kilograms, then add 10%.
70 kg: double = 140, add 10% (14) = 154 lb. That is within half a pound of the exact answer.
Conversion chart
| kg | lb |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2.2 |
| 10 | 22.0 |
| 20 | 44.1 |
| 50 | 110.2 |
| 60 | 132.3 |
| 75 | 165.3 |
| 90 | 198.4 |
| 100 | 220.5 |
Body weight in stones
In the UK, body weight is sometimes given in stones and pounds. One stone is 14 pounds. 70 kg = 154.3 lb = 11 stone 0.3 lb.
Converting back
To go from pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.20462, or use our LBS to KG Converter converter.
Where kg to lbs matters
- Fitness: gym plates and online programs often use pounds.
- Health: BMI can be calculated in either unit; see the BMI Calculator.
- Shipping: some couriers quote in pounds; volumetric rules are covered by the Dimensional Weight Calculator.
- Travel: airline baggage allowances; read baggage limits in kg and lbs.
Why 2.20462?
Since 1959 the international pound has been defined as exactly 0.45359237 kilograms. Dividing 1 by that number gives 2.20462262…, which is where the conversion factor comes from. Because the definition is exact, conversions are precise; any small differences you see between tools come only from rounding.
How precise should you be?
For body weight, one decimal place is plenty. For medicine doses, lab work or shipping invoices, follow the precision the form asks for and do not round in the middle of a calculation. Our converter keeps full precision and rounds only the displayed result.
Frequently asked questions
How many pounds are in a kilogram?
About 2.20462 pounds.
What is 60 kg in pounds?
About 132.3 lb.
What is a quick way to convert kg to lbs in my head?
Double the kilograms and add 10%.
Is a pound heavier than a kilogram?
No. A kilogram is about 2.2 times heavier than a pound.