Convert pound to kilogram

What is a pound?

A pound is an option for mass measurement that is known for centuries. The name itself has a Latin origin and means weight, bell or mass. The bell that was utilized determined the exact value of this option and therefore, in different countries and regions, pounds were different in meaning and range from 320 to 560 grams.

Even with such confusion, pounds were used as a standard option in many countries from 1747 to 1918. Later, they were replaced by grams and kilograms, for which the precise definition was determined.

Still, modern English-speaking countries often stick to pounds or lbs even nowadays. In this case, a pound is referred to as a unit equal to approximately 0.45 kg. European countries also have a metric pound that is taken as nearly 0.5 kg. This makes calculations and understanding easier but the resulting values are always not precise.

What is a kilogram?

A kilogram is a systematic unit for mass determination. It belongs to the basic options that are known and utilized worldwide and is equal to 1000 g.

To determine exactly what is 1 kg, scientists developed a special object in the XX century. It was a platinum and iridium cylinder with dimensions of 39 mm. It was set in France and copied for other countries to compare and determine masses.

Thus, until 2019, a kilogram was any subject with the same mass as this standard. However, it appeared that its value could change over time. Therefore, scientists decided to redefine kilograms and base a new definition on Planck's constant. This decision was realized in 2019.

Nowadays an old standard becomes a museum’s exhibit. Still, it changes basically nothing for ordinary users as the understanding of a kg and its relation to other units stays the same.