Convert Mass from Pound to Stone (lb to st)

Pound to Stone Conversion Formula

To convert from Pound (lb) to Stone (st), use the following formula:

Example

Let's convert 5 Pound (lb) to Stone (st).

Using the formula:

Therefore, 5 Pound (lb) is equal to $0.35714285714285714286$ Stone (st).

What is a Pound (lb)?

The pound (lb) is a basic unit of mass and weight in the imperial system. It's widely used in the United States and elsewhere to measure things like groceries, body weight, and shipping.

Why is a Pound Abbreviated as "lb"?

Have you ever wondered why we write "lb" for pound? The abbreviation has ancient Roman roots.

It originates from the Roman unit of mass, the libra, which is Latin for "scales" or "balance."

The whole Roman phrase was libra pondo, meaning "a pound by weight." While English speakers adopted the pondo part, which became the word "pound," the abbreviation "lb" was retained from the phrase "libra."

How Many Ounces in a Pound? Avoirdupois vs. Troy

Not all pounds are created equal. The two most common types are the avoirdupois pound and the troy pound.

• Avoirdupois Pound: This is the standard, everyday pound used for general purposes. It is equal to 16 ounces. When you weigh yourself or buy produce, you are using the avoirdupois pound.
• Troy Pound: This unit is used exclusively for weighing precious metals, such as gold and silver. A troy pound is lighter, containing only 12 troy ounces.

The Official Definition: Pound to Kilogram (kg) Conversion

To ensure global consistency, the pound is officially defined in relation to the kilogram (kg), the base unit of mass in the metric system.

Since 1959, one pound has been internationally defined as exactly 0.45359237 kilograms.

This agreement ensures that a pound in the US is the same as a pound in the UK. For everyday calculations, you can remember that 1 pound is about 0.45 kg.

What is a Stone (st)?

The stone (st) is a unit of measurement equal to 14 pounds (lb).

It's part of the imperial system and is still commonly used in a few countries, especially for weighing people.

How Many Kilograms are in a Stone?

For use in international contexts or scientific applications, the stone is often converted to the metric system.

One stone is equal to exactly 6.35029318 kilograms (kg).

This precise conversion is used in international trade and science to ensure everyone is using the exact standard measurement.

Why is Body Weight Measured in Stone?

Although it's an older unit, the stone remains the primary unit of measurement for body weight in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

It's common to hear someone state their weight as a combination of stone and pounds, like "12 stone 6 pounds."

Where Did the Stone Unit Come From?

The stone traces its origins back to the medieval English wool trade, where a "stone of wool" referred to a standard 14-pound measure used for buying and selling.

Stones for other goods could vary in weight—for example, a stone of glass was just 5 pounds—but over time, the 14-pound stone became the official legal standard.

What is the imperial system?

Pound to Stone Conversion Table

Here are some quick reference conversions from Pound (lb) to Stone (st):