Pound (mass)

A pound (usually abbreviated as lb, plural lbs) is a unit used to measure the mass of something. It is used in the imperial system and the United States customary system. It is related to the Pound (force). There are a number of different definitions. The most commonly used definition today is the international avoirdupois pound. This is equal to , and is divided into 16 avoirdupois ounces.

The abbreviation lb is for the Latin word libra, meaning weight.

 Avoirdupois pound 
The avoirdupois pound (abbreviation lb., plural lbs.) is the most common unit. This type is used for all purposes except the uses of the troy pound. Most people from the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Liberia and Burma use this as their standard measure of their personal mass.

 Units  Grains  Drachms  Ounces  Pounds  Stones  Quarters  Short Hundredweights (Centals)  Long Hundredweights  Short Tons  Long Tons  Metric Value Avoirdupois pound  7,000  256  16  1            453.59237 Grammes

 Troy pound 

The troy pound (abbreviation t lb., plural t lbs.) is generally not used anymore. It was used in England by apothecaries and jewellers. A troy pound contains 12 troy ounces. The troy ounce is still used to measure the mass of precious metals and gems.

 Units  Grains  Pennyweights  Ounces  Pounds  Metric Values Troy Pound  5,760  240  12  1  373.2417216 Grammes

 Metric pound 
In some European countries, a metric pound is an informal term for half a kilogram (500 grams). In the Netherlands, however, the metric pound () used to be equal to 480 grams, but nowadays a Dutch pound equals 500 grams. A Dutch 'ons' (ounce) is equal to 100 grams, and it is often said that 5 ons is 1 pond.

 Comparison 

 Units  Avoirdupois pounds  Troy pounds  Metric value Avoirdupois pound  1  1  453.59237 Grammes Troy pound    1  373.2417216 Grammes

 References 

Category:Imperial units
Category:Units of mass