In this article, we are chiefly addressing readers in the UK. If this is the part of the world where you are situated, you may often need to be especially agile in juggling between metric (like kilograms) and imperial (like pounds) systems.
However, when it comes to the specific units we have cited at the top of this article, confusion can frequently arise as to whether they measure mass or force/weight.
So, before we jump directly into the topic of how to convert between these units, we thought we would provide some clarity on these important matters.
Understanding The Key Differences
Remember that when it comes to the fundamental physical quantities involved in these conversions:
- Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object. Measured in kilograms or pounds, mass stays constant irrespective of location.
- Force/weight, on the other hand, is a measure of gravity’s pull on that mass. It is measured in Newtons, and it is liable to vary depending on the gravitational field.
So, if a particular application or circumstance requires you to convert mass (kg, lb) directly into force (N), you will need to account for gravity.
Let us, then, turn our attentions back to the specific units of measurement:
- Kilograms (kg) are a unit of mass in the metric system. It is what something weighs in a vacuum or on a balance scale.
- Pounds (lb) are primarily a unit of mass in the imperial system. However, some confusion can occur here, given that in everyday usage in the UK, it often means weight, the force due to gravity.
- Newtons (N) are a unit of force in the International System of Units (SI). With weight being a force, if you wish to convert mass to weight in newtons, you will need to multiply by gravity (approximately 9.81 metres per second squared, or m/s2, on Earth). So, for example, a mass of 1 kg weighs roughly 9.81 N).
If you were to mix these units up, you could run the risk of errors in load-bearing calculations or shipping specifications. So, it is vital to always clarify whether in any given situation, you are dealing with mass (for scales) or force (for tension or pressure).
Converting Between Kilograms and Pounds (Mass)
So, let’s proceed to the conversion formulas themselves. As kilograms and pounds are both units of mass, it is a straightforward task to convert between them, using a fixed ratio:
- 1 kilogram (kg) is approximately 2.20462 pounds (lb). So, to convert from kg to lb, you multiply the mass in kg by 2.20462.
- 1 pound (lb) is approximately 0.453592 kilograms (kg). So, to convert from lb to kg, you multiply the mass in lb by 0.453592.
Converting Mass (kg, lb) To Force (Newtons)
To determine the weight of an object in Newtons, you can use the formula: Force (N) = Mass (kg) x Acceleration due to gravity (g). To be relatively specific, on Earth, the standard acceleration due to gravity (g) is approximately 9.80665 m/s2.
So, to convert:
- kg to N (on Earth), you will need to multiply the mass in kg by 9.80665.
- lb to N (on Earth), you will need to first convert pounds to kilograms, before multiplying by 9.80665.
Just One More Thing About Converting Between Units of Measurement…
As a final note, don’t forget that when you need to undertake weight conversion calculations, you don’t have to always do your workings-out “by hand”.
For example, you can point your browser towards the website of electrical component supplier RS, and perform fast calculations with the weight and mass conversion calculator there.
After all, when you depend on manual calculations alone, especially when you have a lot of such conversions to make, the time it takes can rapidly accumulate. Plus, it can be easy for rounding errors to creep in, with potentially adverse implications for the rest of your project or task.
So, it can be well worthwhile keeping one or two reputable weight conversion tools bookmarked, for the next time you may need them to ensure quick, accurate, and versatile calculations.