Convert pounds to ounces
Please provide values below to convert pound [lb] to ounce [oz], or vice versa.
Pound
Definition: A pound (symbol: lb) is a unit of mass or weight in the imperial and US customary systems of measurement. The international avoirdupois pound is defined as exactly 0.45359237 kilograms. One pound contains 16 ounces.
History/origin: The word "pound" comes from the ancient Roman unit of measure "libra pondo," meaning "a pound by weight." The abbreviation "lb" is derived from the Roman "libra." Various pound units have been used throughout history in different regions.
The avoirdupois pound, which is the most common definition today, was established in England during the 13th century. It was originally based on the weight of 7,000 grains of barley. The pound was standardized across the British Commonwealth in 1855, and later internationally in 1959 when it was precisely defined in terms of the kilogram.
Current use: The pound remains the primary unit of weight and mass in the United States for commercial, personal, and scientific applications. It's also still commonly used in the United Kingdom and other countries with British influence, despite their official adoption of the metric system. Common applications include body weight measurement, food weights, shipping weights, and various commercial goods. While the scientific community predominantly uses the metric system, the pound continues to be an important unit in everyday commerce and personal measurements.
Ounce
Definition: An ounce (symbol: oz) is a unit of weight in the imperial and US customary systems of measurement. The avoirdupois ounce, which is most commonly used today, is defined as exactly 1/16 of an avoirdupois pound or approximately 28.35 grams.
History/origin: The term "ounce" is derived from the Latin word "uncia," which was 1/12 of a Roman pound (libra). The symbol "oz" comes from the Italian word "onza." Throughout history, there have been several different definitions of the ounce used across various regions.
The avoirdupois ounce (1/16 pound) became widely used for general merchandise in England from the 16th century and was later standardized across the British Empire. There are other types of ounces, including the troy ounce (approximately 31.1 grams) used for precious metals, and the fluid ounce used for volume measurements of liquids.
Current use: The ounce is commonly used in the United States and countries with British influence for measuring smaller quantities of weight. It's particularly prevalent in food packaging and recipes, where ingredients are often measured in ounces. Precious metals like gold and silver are still measured in troy ounces in international markets. The ounce is also used in the measurement of fabric weight (e.g., ounces per square yard), letter mail, and portions of food and beverages. While countries using the metric system primarily use grams for similar measurements, the ounce remains an important unit in daily life in the United States.