Pounds and Ounces Calculator: Convert and Add Weights
Enter a weight in pounds and ounces to convert it to grams, kilograms, total ounces, and decimal pounds. Switch to the Add/Subtract mode to combine or remove weights given as pounds and ounces, getting your answer in both mixed and decimal form. Every result includes a step-by-step breakdown so you can see exactly how the number was reached.
How to convert pounds and ounces
Converting pounds and ounces to metric is a two-step process. First, convert the whole-pound part to ounces by multiplying by 16 (there are 16 ounces in a pound), then add the remaining ounces to get a single total-ounce figure. One ounce equals 28.349523125 grams, so multiply the total ounces by that constant to reach grams. Divide grams by 1000 for kilograms. Going the other direction, divide grams by 28.349523125 for ounces, then divide the total ounces by 16 and take the floor for whole pounds, leaving the remainder as ounces. For example, 10 lb 8 oz equals (10 x 16) + 8 = 168 oz, which is 168 x 28.3495 = 4762.72 g, or 4.763 kg.
Adding and subtracting pounds and ounces
The safest way to add or subtract weights in pounds and ounces is to convert everything to a single unit (ounces) first, perform the arithmetic, then convert back. For addition: convert each weight to ounces, add the totals, divide by 16 taking the floor for whole pounds, and use the remainder as ounces. For subtraction: convert both weights to ounces, subtract the smaller from the larger, then convert back. If the ounce column would go below zero during subtraction, borrow 16 ounces from the pounds column (reduce pounds by 1). This calculator handles that automatically so you never have to borrow manually.
Pounds, ounces, and the avoirdupois system
The pound-and-ounce system used for everyday goods in the United States and United Kingdom is called avoirdupois (from the Old French for "goods of weight"). The avoirdupois pound contains exactly 16 ounces, and since 1959 the international yard and pound agreement has defined one avoirdupois pound as exactly 0.45359237 kilograms. This makes conversions perfectly precise - no rounding is introduced by the definition itself, only by the number of decimal places you choose to display. Troy ounces, used for precious metals, are a different unit entirely: 1 troy ounce equals about 31.10 grams versus 28.35 g for an avoirdupois ounce.
Practical uses: cooking, parcels, and fitness
In the kitchen, US recipes often mix pounds and ounces. A dish requiring 1 lb 4 oz of flour is simply 20 oz, or about 567 g. Postal and courier pricing tiers are set in ounces or pounds, so knowing the total-ounce weight of a parcel avoids the ambiguity of mixed units. Fitness and nutrition labels can list serving sizes in grams while bodyweight is tracked in pounds and ounces: this calculator bridges both conventions. Baby weights at birth are routinely recorded as pounds and ounces in the US, while the rest of the world uses grams - the conversion table above covers the most common birth-weight range (0 to 16 lb).
Common pounds-and-ounces conversions
| Pounds & Ounces | Decimal lb | Grams | Kilograms |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 lb 1 oz | 0.0625 | 28.35 | 0.0284 |
| 0 lb 8 oz (half lb) | 0.5 | 141.75 | 0.1417 |
| 1 lb 0 oz | 1.0 | 453.59 | 0.4536 |
| 1 lb 8 oz | 1.5 | 680.39 | 0.6804 |
| 2 lb 0 oz | 2.0 | 907.18 | 0.9072 |
| 5 lb 0 oz | 5.0 | 2267.96 | 2.2680 |
| 10 lb 0 oz | 10.0 | 4535.92 | 4.5359 |
| 14 lb 0 oz (1 stone) | 14.0 | 6350.29 | 6.3503 |
| 16 lb 0 oz | 16.0 | 7257.48 | 7.2575 |
Quick reference for frequently used weights in cooking, postal, and fitness contexts.
Frequently asked questions
How many ounces are in a pound?
There are exactly 16 avoirdupois ounces in one pound. So 1 lb = 16 oz, 2 lb = 32 oz, and so on. To convert any pound value to ounces, multiply by 16.
How do I convert pounds and ounces to grams?
First convert the whole weight to ounces: multiply the pounds by 16 and add the ounces. Then multiply the total ounces by 28.349523125 to get grams. For example, 2 lb 6 oz = (2 x 16) + 6 = 38 oz, and 38 x 28.3495 = 1077.28 g.
How do I add weights in pounds and ounces?
Convert each weight to a single ounce total, add the two ounce totals together, then convert back. To convert back, divide the total ounces by 16. The whole-number part is the pounds, and the remainder is the ounces. For example, 3 lb 10 oz + 2 lb 9 oz: 58 oz + 41 oz = 99 oz, 99 / 16 = 6 remainder 3, so 6 lb 3 oz.
How do I subtract ounces that are larger than the ounce part of the first weight?
Borrow 1 pound (16 ounces) from the pounds column. Reduce the pounds by 1 and add 16 to the ounces. Then subtract. For example, 4 lb 3 oz - 1 lb 8 oz: borrow from 4 lb to get 3 lb 19 oz, then 3 lb 19 oz - 1 lb 8 oz = 2 lb 11 oz. This calculator handles the borrowing automatically.
What is the difference between avoirdupois ounces and troy ounces?
They are different units with different weights. One avoirdupois ounce (used for food, people, parcels) equals 28.349523125 grams. One troy ounce (used for gold, silver, and other precious metals) equals 31.1034768 grams. When people say "ounce" in everyday life they nearly always mean avoirdupois. This calculator uses avoirdupois throughout.
How many pounds and ounces is 1 kilogram?
1 kilogram equals 1000 grams. Dividing by 28.349523125 gives 35.274 oz. Dividing by 16 gives 2 lb 3.274 oz. So 1 kg is approximately 2 lb 3.27 oz.