Weight (technically mass) is converted between metric units (mg, g, kg, tonnes) and imperial units (oz, lb, st). The kilogram is the SI base unit. Indian groceries use kg/g; gym weights are often pounds; jewellery is grams or carats.
What is Weight Converter?
Strictly, mass and weight are different — mass is the amount of matter, weight is the gravitational force on that mass. On Earth they are proportional, so we use them interchangeably in everyday speech. The calculator treats them as the same.
The kilogram has been redefined in 2019 to be based on Planck's constant, removing the dependence on a physical reference cylinder. For everyday purposes, the value did not change — 1 kg is still 1 kg.
In India, grocery items are weighed in grams and kilograms. Body weight is universally in kg. Gold is in grams (or in ratti and tola for traditional contexts). Imperial pounds and ounces appear mostly in fitness contexts (kettlebells, dumbbells imported from the US).
Conversion factors
- Source factor
- Source-to-kg—kilograms per source unit
- Target factor
- Target-to-kg—kilograms per target unit
How to use this calculator
Pick source and target units, enter the value.
Enter the value
Decimals work — 72.5 kg, 1.25 lb, etc.
Pick source and target units
mg, g, kg, tonnes (metric) or oz, lb, st (imperial).
Common weight conversions
Body weight
165 lb to kg for international gym apps. Most body composition machines display in kg.
Gold and jewellery
Indian gold is weighed in grams and tola (1 tola = 11.66 g). 100 g of 22-karat gold is the common purchase unit.
Recipe scaling
US recipes often use ounces — 1 cup of flour = ~125 g. Conversion is essential when adapting recipes.
Fitness equipment
Imported dumbbells often labeled in lb. 5 lb plates = 2.27 kg.
Shipping
Logistics rates often quoted per kg internationally; some US carriers use lb.
Common mistakes to avoid
Using the regular ounce for gold
Bullion trades in troy ounces (31.103 g), not avoirdupois ounces (28.35 g) — a 10% difference. International gold prices per 'ounce' always mean troy.
Confusing mass with weight in physics homework
kg measures mass; newtons measure weight (force). A 70 kg person 'weighs' about 686 N on Earth. For everyday conversion purposes this calculator treats them interchangeably, as scales do.
Mixing up US and UK tons in freight quotes
US short ton = 907 kg, UK long ton = 1,016 kg, metric tonne = 1,000 kg. On a 20-tonne consignment the spread is nearly 2,200 kg — always confirm which 'ton' a contract means.
Glossary
- Kilogram (kg)
- SI base unit of mass. About 2.2 pounds.
- Pound (lb)
- Imperial unit equal to exactly 0.453592 kg.
- Stone (st)
- British imperial unit equal to 14 lb (6.35 kg). Used for human body weight in the UK.
- Tonne (t)
- Metric tonne = 1,000 kg. Distinct from short ton (US, 907 kg) and long ton (UK, 1,016 kg).