The exact equivalent
A kilogram is 2.20462 pounds. The exact definition runs the other way: a pound is exactly 0.45359237 kilograms.
1 kg = 2.20462262 lb
1 lb = 0.45359237 kg
How to convert it by hand
Just multiply by the conversion factor. To go from kilograms to pounds, multiply by 2.204623; to come back, divide by that same number or multiply by 0.453592.
For example: 25 kg × 2.204623 = 55.1156 lb.
A tip that saves mistakes: check the result goes the way you expect. If pounds are a smaller unit than kilograms, the number has to come out bigger. If it comes out smaller, you divided when you should have multiplied.
Conversion table
| kg | lb |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2.2046 |
| 2 | 4.4092 |
| 5 | 11.0231 |
| 10 | 22.0462 |
| 20 | 44.0925 |
| 50 | 110.2311 |
| 100 | 220.4623 |
Reference points to picture it
| Reference | Equals |
|---|---|
| Cabin baggage allowance | 10 kg = 22 lb |
| An adult of 70 kg | 154.3 lb |
| A checked bag limit | 23 kg = 50.7 lb |
| A bag of cement | 25 kg = 55.1 lb |
The trick for doing it in your head
Double it and add 10%. For 70 kg: 140 plus 14 gives 154 pounds, which is the exact answer.
It is fine for getting by without a phone, but not for anything that depends on precision: in a recipe, on a building site or in a dose, use the exact conversion.