Mass Converter – Weight Conversion Calculator
Convert between different units of mass and weight
Table of Contents
How to Use
- Enter the mass value you want to convert
- Select the unit you're converting from
- Select the unit you want to convert to
- Click calculate to see the converted value
What is Mass?
Mass is a fundamental property of matter that measures the amount of substance in an object. Unlike weight, which depends on gravity, mass remains constant regardless of location. Mass is typically measured in metric units (grams, kilograms) or imperial units (pounds, ounces).
Common Mass Units
Metric System:
- Milligram (mg) - 1/1000 of a gram, used for small quantities
- Gram (g) - Base unit, commonly used for food and small items
- Kilogram (kg) - 1000 grams, standard for body weight and larger items
- Metric Ton (t) - 1000 kilograms, used for vehicles and cargo
Imperial System:
- Ounce (oz) - Smallest common unit, 1/16 of a pound
- Pound (lb) - Standard unit for body weight in US/UK
- Stone (st) - 14 pounds, traditionally used in UK for body weight
- Ton (short/US) - 2000 pounds, used for heavy cargo
- Ton (long/UK) - 2240 pounds, imperial ton
Conversion Tips
- 1 kilogram equals approximately 2.205 pounds
- 1 pound equals approximately 453.6 grams
- 1 ounce equals approximately 28.35 grams
- For cooking, precise conversions ensure recipe accuracy
- When shipping internationally, understand both metric and imperial units
- Laboratory measurements typically use metric units for precision
Practical Applications
- Cooking and baking with international recipes
- Calculating shipping costs and package weights
- Monitoring body weight with different scales
- Scientific experiments and laboratory work
- International trade and commerce
- Fitness and nutrition tracking
- Medication dosage calculations
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between mass and weight?
- Mass measures the amount of matter in an object and stays constant everywhere. Weight measures the force of gravity on that mass and changes based on location. On Earth, we often use the terms interchangeably for practical purposes.
- How many pounds are in a kilogram?
- One kilogram equals approximately 2.20462 pounds. For quick estimates, you can use 2.2 pounds per kilogram.
- Why are there different types of tons?
- The short ton (US) equals 2000 pounds, while the long ton (UK) equals 2240 pounds. The metric ton equals 1000 kilograms (about 2204.6 pounds). These variations arose from different measurement systems across countries.
- Which measurement system should I use?
- Use the metric system for scientific work and international contexts. In the US, imperial units are common for everyday use. The UK uses a mix of both. Our converter handles all systems seamlessly.