Pounds and Ounces Calculator
Convert between pounds, ounces, and mixed units with precise calculations. Add, subtract, and convert weights with metric equivalents
Weight Converter
Enter a weight in any field below, and all other equivalent weights will be calculated automatically.
Format: X lbs Y oz
1 stone = 14 pounds
Add/Subtract Pounds and Ounces
Enter two weights to add or subtract them. The calculator handles the conversion automatically.
Common Weight Examples
| Item | Mixed | Decimal lbs | Grams | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn baby | 7 lbs 8 oz | 7.500 lbs | 3401.9 g | Average birth weight |
| Bag of flour | 5 lbs 0 oz | 5.000 lbs | 2268.0 g | Standard baking bag |
| Laptop computer | 4 lbs 6 oz | 4.375 lbs | 1984.5 g | Typical laptop weight |
| Gallon of milk | 8 lbs 6 oz | 8.375 lbs | 3798.8 g | US gallon of milk |
| Pound of butter | 1 lbs 0 oz | 1.000 lbs | 453.6 g | Standard butter package |
| Can of soda | 0 lbs 12 oz | 0.750 lbs | 340.2 g | 12 fl oz aluminum can |
| Smartphone | 0 lbs 7 oz | 0.438 lbs | 198.4 g | Average smartphone |
| Paperback book | 0 lbs 6 oz | 0.375 lbs | 170.1 g | Typical paperback |
| Apple (medium) | 0 lbs 6 oz | 0.375 lbs | 170.1 g | Medium-sized apple |
| Slice of bread | 0 lbs 1 oz | 0.063 lbs | 28.3 g | Standard bread slice |
Note: Weights are approximate and may vary by brand, size, or specific model.
Conversion Formulas
Quick Reference
Weight Tips
When mixing pounds and ounces, remember that 16 oz = 1 lb
For cooking, weigh ingredients for more accurate results than volume measurements
Use decimal pounds for shipping and scientific calculations
Be careful with precision - rounding can accumulate errors in complex calculations
Understanding Pounds and Ounces
Imperial Weight System
The pound and ounce system is part of the Imperial measurement system, widely used in the United States for everyday weights. Understanding the relationship between these units is essential for cooking, shipping, and many commercial applications.
Mixed Unit Benefits
- •More intuitive for everyday use (e.g., "7 lbs 8 oz" vs "7.5 lbs")
- •Common in medical settings (birth weights, patient weights)
- •Standard for food packaging and recipes
Practical Applications
This calculator is essential for cooking, shipping, medical records, and converting between Imperial and metric systems. The addition feature helps with combining ingredients or calculating total weights for shipping.
Precision Considerations
Important: This calculator uses exact conversion factors
• 1 pound = exactly 16 ounces
• 1 pound = exactly 453.59237 grams
• 1 kilogram = exactly 2.2046226218 pounds
Results are rounded for display but calculations use full precision
Step-by-Step Examples
Example 1: Converting 3.5 pounds to ounces
Problem: Convert 3.5 pounds to ounces
Step 1: Use the formula: ounces = pounds × 16
Step 2: ounces = 3.5 × 16
Step 3: ounces = 56
Answer: 3.5 pounds = 56 ounces
Check: 56 ÷ 16 = 3.5 pounds ✓
Example 2: Adding mixed weights
Problem: Add 3 lbs 10 oz + 2 lbs 8 oz
Step 1: Convert to total ounces
Step 2: (3×16 + 10) + (2×16 + 8) = 58 + 40 = 98 oz
Step 3: Convert back: 98 ÷ 16 = 6 remainder 2
Answer: 6 lbs 2 oz
Alternative: 98 oz = 6.125 lbs