Home › Conversions › Kilograms to Pounds

Kilograms to Pounds (kg to lb)

Convert kilograms to pounds instantly. The formula is pounds = kg × 2.20462 — one kilogram is 2.20462 pounds — the standard body-weight conversion. Everything is computed locally in your browser; nothing is uploaded.

Kilogram (kg)Pound (lb)

1 kg = 2.2 lb · 1 kg = 2.2 lb

Quick reference — kg to lb

How to convert kg to lb

The exact conversion factor between kilograms and pounds gives the formula pounds = kg × 2.20462. One kilogram is 2.20462 pounds — the standard body-weight conversion.

For a rough mental estimate, remember that 1 kg = 2.2 lb. To go the other way, see the pounds to kilograms converter — it uses the reciprocal factor.

Worked examples

Example: convert 5 kg to lb. Apply the formula — pounds = kg × 2.20462 — and you get 11.02 lb. Reverse-check it by using the pounds to kilograms to come back to 5 kg; if you do not land on the original number, a factor was inverted.

Example: convert 100 kg to lb. Apply the formula — pounds = kg × 2.20462 — and you get 220.5 lb. Reverse-check it by using the pounds to kilograms to come back to 100 kg; if you do not land on the original number, a factor was inverted.

Where the factor comes from

The pound used today is the international avoirdupois pound, defined since 1959 as exactly 0.45359237 kilograms. The kilogram itself was redefined in 2019 in terms of the Planck constant, so the chain of custody now runs from a universal physical constant down to your kitchen scale. Because both ends of the chain are exact, converting is pure arithmetic — the only rounding happens when a result is displayed.

Common mistakes

Confusing mass and force. Pounds-force (lbf) and pounds-mass (lb) are different physical quantities. Recipes and body weight use mass — the factor on this page applies.

Avoirdupois vs troy. Gold, silver and gemstones use the troy ounce (31.103 g), which is about 10% heavier than the avoirdupois ounce (28.35 g) on this page.

Double rounding. kg → lb → oz in sequence compounds rounding error. Convert directly to the final unit in one step.

Quick mental shortcuts

Mental shortcuts: kg → lb ≈ ×2.2 (75 kg ≈ 165 lb); lb → kg ≈ ÷2.2; g → oz ≈ ÷30 (a 100 g chocolate bar is about 3.5 oz). For cooking, weigh once and remember: 1 stick of butter = 113 g = 8 tbsp.

Common kg to lb conversions

Kilogram (kg)	Pound (lb)
1	2.2
5	11.02
10	22.05
50	110.2
75	165.3
100	220.5

FAQ

How do I convert kg to lb?

pounds = kg × 2.20462. One kilogram is 2.20462 pounds — the standard body-weight conversion.

What is 5 kg in lb?

5 kg equals 11.02 lb. Use the converter above for any value.

How do I convert lb back to kg?

Use the reverse conversion — see our pounds to kilograms converter. The calculator above also shows the reciprocal rate.

Is the kg-to-lb conversion exact?

Yes — modern units are defined by international agreement with exact factors (e.g. 1 inch = 2.54 cm exactly). Results are rounded only for display.

More conversions

cm → in in → cm mm → in in → mm m → ft ft → m km → mi mi → km lb → kg g → oz oz → g °C → °F °F → °C gal → L L → gal g → cup cup → g g → tbsp tbsp → g g → ml ml → g ml → cup cup → ml fl oz → ml ml → fl oz

Need a category we don't list here? The full unit converter handles 12 categories with 70+ units.