Weight/Mass Converter
Convert between different units of weight and mass with step-by-step explanations.
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Quick Conversion Table
Common weight and mass references for quick lookup
| Unit | Grams (g) | Kilograms (kg) | Ounces (oz) | Pounds (lb) | Stones (st) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Gram | 1 | 0.001 | 0.035 | 0.0022 | 0.00016 |
| 1 Kilogram | 1,000 | 1 | 35.27 | 2.205 | 0.157 |
| 1 Ounce | 28.35 | 0.0284 | 1 | 0.0625 | 0.0045 |
| 1 Pound | 453.59 | 0.454 | 16 | 1 | 0.071 |
| 1 Stone | 6,350 | 6.35 | 224 | 14 | 1 |
| 1 Metric Ton | 1,000,000 | 1,000 | 35,274 | 2,205 | 157 |
| 1 Short Ton (US) | 907,185 | 907.18 | 32,000 | 2,000 | 143 |
💡 Tip: The highlighted rows show key reference points - gram (blue), ounce (green), pound (orange), metric ton (red), and short ton (yellow) for quick reference.
Understanding Weight and Mass Conversions
A Comprehensive Guide to Weight and Mass Measurements
Weight and mass conversion is essential in cooking, science, shipping, and everyday life. Whether you're following a recipe, calculating shipping costs, or working in a laboratory, understanding how to convert between different weight units is crucial. This guide will help you master weight conversions across all scales.
Metric System
Convert between grams, kilograms, tons, and other metric units. Based on powers of 10 for easy calculations.
Imperial System
Work with ounces, pounds, stones, and tons. Common in cooking and everyday measurements in the US and UK.
Industrial Units
Convert metric tons, short tons, and long tons for shipping, construction, and industrial applications.
Cross-System Conversion
Convert between metric and imperial systems. Essential for international trade, cooking, and travel.
Precision Measurements
Work with milligrams, micrograms, and other precise units for scientific and pharmaceutical applications.
Large Scale Weights
Convert between tons, metric tons, and other heavy-duty units for shipping, construction, and industrial use.
Master Weight Conversions with Real Examples
Learn step-by-step how to convert between different weight units with practical examples from cooking, shipping, and everyday life
1. Metric System Conversions
Metric Conversion = Value × 10^(power difference)
Example: 5 kilograms to grams → 5 × 10³ = 5,000 g
Common Powers: t(10⁶) → kg(10³) → g(10⁰) → mg(10⁻³) → μg(10⁻⁶)
Each step is a factor of 1000, making conversions straightforward
Purpose:
Converts between metric units using powers of 10.
“How many grams are in 2.5 kilograms?”
Benefits:
Used in science, medicine, cooking, and most countries worldwide. Simple decimal-based system.
Steps:
1. Identify the power difference (e.g., kilograms to grams is 10³)
2. Multiply your value by that power
3. Add the correct unit to your result
Example: 2.5 kilograms to grams
Calculation: 2.5 × 10³ = 2,500
Result: 2,500 g
Result:
2.5 kilograms = 2,500 grams
Example:
“A recipe calls for 1.5 kg of flour. That's 1,500 grams or 1,500,000 milligrams.”
2. Imperial System Conversions
Imperial Conversion = Value × Conversion Factor
Example: 3 pounds to ounces → 3 × 16 = 48 ounces
Key Factors: 16 oz/lb, 14 lb/stone, 2,000 lb/ton (US), 2,240 lb/ton (UK)
Memorize these common conversion factors for quick calculations
Purpose:
Converts between imperial units using specific factors.
“How many ounces are in 2.5 pounds?”
Benefits:
Common in US cooking, UK measurements, and everyday American weights. Based on traditional references.
Steps:
1. Identify the conversion factor (e.g., pounds to ounces is ×16)
2. Multiply your value by the factor
3. Add the correct unit to your result
Example: 2.5 pounds to ounces
Calculation: 2.5 × 16 = 40
Result: 40 ounces
Result:
2.5 pounds = 40 ounces
Example:
“A 5-pound bag of flour contains 80 ounces or about 2.27 kilograms.”
3. Metric ↔ Imperial Conversions
Cross-System = Value × Exact Conversion Factor
Example: 5 pounds to kilograms → 5 × 0.453592 = 2.268 kg
Key Factors: 1 pound = 0.453592 kg, 1 ounce = 28.3495 g, 1 kg = 2.20462 lb
These are exact definitions used internationally
Purpose:
Converts between metric and imperial systems.
“How many kilograms are in 10 pounds?”
Benefits:
Essential for international cooking, shipping, travel, and working with global recipes and specifications.
Steps:
1. Use exact conversion factor (e.g., 1 pound = 0.453592 kg)
2. Multiply your value by the factor
3. Add the correct unit to your result
Example: 10 pounds to kilograms
Calculation: 10 × 0.453592 = 4.53592
Result: 4.54 kg
Result:
10 pounds = 4.54 kilograms
Example:
“A 150-pound person weighs about 68 kilograms.”
4. Industrial Scale Conversions
Industrial Conversion = Value × Large Scale Factor
Example: 2 metric tons to pounds → 2 × 2,204.62 = 4,409.24 lb
Scales: mg(10⁻⁶) ↔ g(10⁻³) ↔ kg(10⁰) ↔ t(10³) ↔ kt(10⁶)
From pharmaceutical to industrial scales, spanning 12+ orders of magnitude
Purpose:
Converts between extreme scales from pharmaceutical to industrial.
“How many pounds are in a metric ton?”
Benefits:
Essential in shipping, construction, manufacturing, and large-scale industrial applications.
Steps:
1. Identify the scale difference (e.g., metric tons to pounds is ×2,204.62)
2. Apply the large conversion factor
3. Calculate the result with appropriate precision
Example: 1 metric ton to pounds
Calculation: 1 × 2,204.62 = 2,204.62
Result: 2,204.62 pounds
Result:
1 metric ton = 2,204.62 pounds
Example:
“A shipping container can hold 20 metric tons, which is about 44,092 pounds.”
Tips & Best Practices for Weight Conversions
Always check your units: kg → g (×1000), lb → oz (×16)
Double-check whether you're multiplying or dividing by the conversion factor.
Use dimensional analysis: (5 lb) × (0.453592 kg/lb) = 2.268 kg
Write out units to ensure they cancel correctly and avoid mistakes.
Essential Tips:
- • Memorize key conversion factors (0.453592 kg/lb, 16 oz/lb)
- • Use kitchen scales for practical weight understanding
- • Always include units in your calculations
- • Round appropriately based on measurement precision
- • Double-check direction of conversion
Best Practices:
- • Practice with real objects (weigh items at home)
- • Use estimation to check if answers are reasonable
- • Learn the metric system for international cooking
- • Understand significant figures and precision
- • Use conversion tools for complex calculations
Real-Life Applications:
- • Cooking and baking recipes
- • Shipping and postal services
- • Medical and pharmaceutical dosages
- • Fitness and body weight tracking
- • Industrial and construction materials
Watch Out For:
- • Confusing multiply vs. divide operations
- • Using approximate instead of exact factors
- • Forgetting to convert all units consistently
- • Mixing up similar units (g vs kg)
- • Not considering measurement precision