How to convert kilograms to pounds
Type a weight in kilograms and read it in pounds straight away. You can swap the units, copy the answer, or choose how many decimal places to show.
One kilogram is 2.20462262185 pounds. That figure follows from the exact definition of the international pound, agreed in 1959: 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg.
1 kilogram = 2.20462262185 pounds
Formula: pounds = kilograms × 2.20462262185
- Multiply the number of kilograms by 2.20462262185.
- Round the answer to suit the job. Bathroom scales and airline baggage rules usually work to one decimal place, so 75 kg = 165.3 lb.
- For a quick estimate in your head, double the kilograms and add 10% of that: 75 kg doubles to 150, and 10% of 150 is 15, giving about 165 lb.
Common conversions
| Kilograms (kg) | Pounds (lb) |
|---|---|
| 1 kg | 2.20462 lb |
| 2 kg | 4.40925 lb |
| 5 kg | 11.0231 lb |
| 10 kg | 22.0462 lb |
| 20 kg | 44.0925 lb |
| 50 kg | 110.231 lb |
| 75 kg | 165.347 lb |
| 100 kg | 220.462 lb |
Values are computed by the same converter as above, rounded to six significant digits. Need the other direction? See Pounds to Kilograms.
Worked examples
A checked bag
Airline checked-bag limits are often 23 kg. 23 kg = 50.7 lb, which is why a 50 lb limit and a 23 kg limit are close but not identical.
Body weight
A body weight of 75 kg: 75 kg = 165.347 lb. Scales in the US show pounds, so this is the number a US scale would display.
A newborn baby
Birth weights are quoted in kilograms in most countries and in pounds and ounces in the US. 3.5 kg = 7.72 lb. To get pounds and ounces, keep the whole pounds and multiply the decimal part of the pounds by 16.
Things to keep in mind
- On Earth, everyday "weight" in kilograms and pounds is the same quantity (mass), so this conversion is exact for shopping, cooking and body weight.
- These are avoirdupois pounds. Troy ounces, used for precious metals, are a different unit and are not covered by this page.
- A negative weight has no meaning, so the converter rejects it.