Pound (mass)

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A pound (usually abbreviated as lb, plural lbs) is a unit used to measure the mass of something. It is used in the imperial system and the United States customary system. It is related to the Pound (force). There are a number of different definitions. The most commonly used definition today is the international avoirdupois pound. This is equal to 0.45359237 kilograms, and is divided into 16 avoirdupois ounces.[1]

The abbreviation lb is for the Latin word libra, meaning weight.

Avoirdupois pound[change | change source]

The avoirdupois pound (abbreviation lb., plural lbs.) is the most common unit. This type is used for all purposes except the uses of the troy pound. Most people from the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Liberia and Burma use this as their standard measure of their personal mass.

Units Grains Drachms Ounces Pounds Stones Quarters Short Hundredweights (Centals) Long Hundredweights Short Tons Long Tons Metric Value
Avoirdupois pound 7,000 256 16 1 114 128 1100 1112 12,000 12,240 453.59237 Grammes

Troy pound[change | change source]

The troy pound (abbreviation t lb., plural t lbs.) is generally not used anymore. It was used in England by apothecaries and jewellers. A troy pound contains 12 troy ounces. The troy ounce is still used to measure the mass of precious metals and gems.

Units Grains Pennyweights Ounces Pounds Metric Values
Troy Pound 5,760 240 12 1 373.2417216 Grammes

Metric pound[change | change source]

In some European countries, a metric pound is an informal term for half a kilogram (500 grams). In the Netherlands, however, the metric pound (Dutch: pond) is equal to 480 grams. A Dutch 'ons' is equal to 100 grams, and it is often said that 5 ons is 1 pond.

Comparison[change | change source]

Units Avoirdupois pounds Troy pounds Metric value
Avoirdupois pound 1 1​155875 453.59237 Grammes
Troy pound 720875 1 373.2417216 Grammes

References[change | change source]

  1. United States National Bureau of Standards (1959-06-25). "Notices "Refinement of values for the yard and the pound"" (PDF). Retrieved 2006-08-12.