kg to lb Converter for Lifting
Convert kilograms to pounds or pounds to kilograms, then keep the unit alongside the number in your log. A converted value helps you compare loads; it does not change the equipment in front of you.
Use the exact factor, then round the display
The avoirdupois pound is exactly 0.45359237 kg. That is the factor used here, as specified by NIST. [1]
- Pounds to kilograms: lb × 0.45359237.
- Kilograms to pounds: kg ÷ 0.45359237.
The calculation keeps the full factor; the result is rounded to three decimal places for display. For example, 20 kg is approximately 44.092 lb. The longer underlying value is approximately 44.092452 lb.
20 kg and 45 lb are different masses
A plate marked 20 kg converts to approximately 44.092 lb. A plate marked 45 lb converts to approximately 20.412 kg. Changing the unit in a log does not make those two plates identical.
For a total-load example, imagine a bar marked 20 kg with one 20 kg plate on each side. The stated total is 20 + 20 + 20 = 60 kg, or approximately 132.277 lb. This is an arithmetic example, not an assumption about the mass of every bar.
When you record a lift, include whether the number describes a single implement, a pair or a total. “20 kg dumbbell” and “40 kg pair” describe the same pair of two 20 kg dumbbells, but only if that is how the load was counted.
Useful plate and total equivalents
These are conversions of nominal markings, not measurements of a particular plate. The numbers are calculated from the same NIST factor.
| Kilograms | Pounds |
|---|---|
| 1.25 kg | 2.756 lb |
| 2.5 kg | 5.512 lb |
| 5 kg | 11.023 lb |
| 10 kg | 22.046 lb |
| 15 kg | 33.069 lb |
| 20 kg | 44.092 lb |
| 25 kg | 55.116 lb |
| 60 kg | 132.277 lb |
| 70 kg | 154.324 lb |
| 100 kg | 220.462 lb |
Check the marking before converting
Read the unit printed on the equipment. Do not infer it from a plate's color or from a number alone. Keep the original marking in your log when an approximate conversion could cause confusion.
The converter changes units; it does not determine the mass of an unmarked bar, select plates for a rack or assess whether a load is appropriate for you. For load estimates, continue to the 1RM calculator and its limitations.
Conversion questions
What is 70 kg in pounds?
Using the exact factor, 70 kg is approximately 154.324 lb.
Is one kilogram the same as one pound?
No. One pound is exactly 0.45359237 kg. One kilogram is approximately 2.204623 lb.
Why does another converter show fewer digits?
It may use a different display precision. A rounded display and an approximate conversion factor are different choices; this tool uses the exact factor before rounding its displayed result.
Source
- NIST Guide to the SI, footnote 22 — the exact avoirdupois-pound conversion factor. All examples and table entries here are independently calculated from it.