Pound and Kilogram: What is the difference?

In Physics, the mass or weight of an object can be measured using either Kilograms or Pounds. Pounds and kilograms are units to measure the weight of a body. When there is a point of differentiation, kgs are a little bit heavier than pounds. 

Different countries have different measures. You can check the standard measurements of various countries and regions online and understand the same. This article, however, lets you know the difference between pound and kilogram, which is one of the standard measures used to measure weight.

So let’s find out what is kilogram and what is a pound, and the differences between pound and kilogram.

Pound

We use units to measure the quantities and denote the units; we have a few systems. Under the imperial system, a pound is a unit used to measure the mass or weight of a body. It is also known as the imperial unit of mass. Roman Libra has an association with the pound. So its symbol is named after him as ‘lb’. 

Also, it has several variations in several countries, but it is a widely used unit for the mass or weight of a body. Also, it has several variations in several countries, but it is a widely used unit for the mass or weight of a body.

Kilogram

In 1959, another system called the SI system was adapted. From the SI system, a unit to measure the mass or weight of an object is derived, which is nothing but a kilogram. It is denoted as kg. It is also said to read that 1 kg is equal to 1 L of water. The standard kilogram is IPK, which means iridium- Platinum cylindrical figure. Another interesting fact is that a kilogram is 2.2 times heavier than a pound.

Relationship between Kilogram and Pound

To find out the relationship between kilogram and pound, let’s do an activity. 

As we know, one kg =  2.2 lb. Now let’s find out 1 lb in terms of kilograms. It is quite shocking to know that one pound is less than half of the kilogram. The exact value of 1 lb is given below,

1 pound = 0.453 kg

Using the same equation, it is easy to derive how many pounds for a kilogram.

1 kg = 2.204 pounds

Hence, this is the relationship between a kilogram and a pound.

Differentiate Kilogram and Pound  (or) kg vs lbs

Even though both kilogram and a pound are units of measurement, especially for the mass of an object, they do have few differences. Let’s have a glance at them.

Kilogram	Pound
The kilogram is an SI or metric unit used to calculate the mass of an object.	Found is an imperial unit used to calculate the mass of an object.
Kg is used to denote the kilogram.	Lb or lbm are used to denote the pound.
The mass of an object can be measured in terms of kilograms throughout the globe.	Initially, the USA started measuring mass in terms of pounds. Later the UK also adopted it.
1 kg is equal to 2.204 lb	1lb = 0.453 kgs
The word kilogram is derived from the Greek word kilos. It means a thousand. Hence 1 kg is equal to 1000 G.	The word pound comes from a German word.
A kilogram is a unit for the mass or weight of an object only. It doesn’t express any other quantity.	A pound is used to measure both mass and force.
The kilogram is the name of the unit only.	A pound is the name of a unit as well as currency.

These are the major differences between the kilogram and the pounds.

Formula for the kilogram to pound-

We had a simple formula used to convert kilograms into pounds. Just take the value of the pound and then multiply it with 2.204. Then the value is converted into pounds.

Illustration

Sita orders 40 pounds of cement for the construction of her office. But, she received only 13 kg of cement. How many pounds of cement has she yet to receive to complete her order?

Solution:

First, convert pounds into kg.

So, converting 40 pounds into kg.

Thus, cement ordered (in kg) = 40 x 0.453 = 18.12kg    

From the given data, it is clear that,

Sita received only 13 kg of cement from her order.

So if we subtract these 13 kgs from the actual amount, we will get the amount of cement to be received.

       = 18.12 – 13

       = 5.12kg

Therefore, she is yet to receive 5.12 kg of cement.

Formula for pound to kilogram-

Similarly, the formula used to convert pounds to kilograms, we multiply the value with 0.453. Then the value is converted to pounds.

We can assume the same illustration which is explained above and can convert the quantity into pounds.

Let say, 5.12 kg = 5.12 * 0.453

                           = 2.319 lb.

In this way, we can convert any value from kilogram to pound and vice versa.

Which is the largest unit of mass – Kilogram or pound or any other?

Different systems have different units to measure the mass or weight of an object. To find out the largest, let’s see all the available units of mass.

• Milligram (mg) = 0.001 gram (or)1/1000 gram
• Decigram (dg) = 0.1 gram or 1/10 gram
• Centigram (CG) = 0.01 gram or 1/100 gram
• Gram (g) = 1,000 milligrams
• Decagram (dag) = 10 grams
• Hectogram (hg) = 100 grams
• Pounds = 0.453 grams.
• Kilogram (kg) = 1,000 grams
• Metric ton (t) = 1,000 kilograms

Concluding all the SI, MKS and imperial systems, these are various units to measure the mass or weight of an object.

From the data, it is clear that Kilogram is the largest unit of mass.

Conclusion

Now it is clear what is a kilogram and what is a pound. Also, the kilogram came into existence after the pound but got recognised globally. Hence both kilogram and pound are two different units used to measure the mass or weight of an object. The differences between these two units and the conversion formulas were simple and easy to understand. Whatever the unit we use to measure, we can convert and answer in both systems. Gaining sound knowledge of these units will give a clear idea about where to use and whatnot.