A pound, abbreviated as "b," is a unit of weight commonly used in the United States and a few other countries that follow the imperial system. The term "pound" comes from the Latin word libra, which is why the abbreviation is "lb.”
One pound is equal to 16 ounces or approximately 0.4536 kilograms in the metric system. It's often used for measuring body weight, grocery items, shipping packages, and more in everyday American life.
The pound dates back to Roman times and has evolved through various systems. The current definition used in the U.S. is based on the avoirdupois system, which standardizes one pound as 16 ounces. This system has been in use in English-speaking countries since the 14th century.
How is the Pound Used Today: The pound plays a central role in both consumer life and various industries across the U.S. and the UK. From shopping to science, it's a standard unit for weight measurement when using the imperial system.
A tonne, also known as a metric ton, is a unit of mass equal to 1,000 kilograms or approximately 2,204.62 pounds. It's the standard ton used in most countries that follow the metric system, including Europe, Asia, Australia, and many parts of Africa. Unlike the US ton (short ton, 2,000 lbs) or the UK imperial ton (long ton, 2,240 lbs), the tonne is based on powers of ten, making it more consistent with the metric system. It's used in industries where large-scale weight measurement is common, such as shipping, agriculture, and waste management.
The tonne originated in France in the 18th century as part of the adoption of the metric system. The word comes from the French word "tonneau," which referred to a large cask used for transporting wine or oil.
It became widely accepted across Europe and eventually by the International System of Units (SI). Today, it's the standard unit for mass in global trade, environmental reporting, and scientific documentation.
How is the Tonne Used: The tonne is used to measure very large weights where smaller units like kilograms or pounds would be impractical. You'll find it commonly used in:
1 lb = 0.000454 t
Let’s say you want to convert 100 lb to t.
Using the formula:
100 × 0.000454 = 0.045 t
So, 100 lb is approximately 0.045 t.
| Pound (lb) | Tonne (t) |
|---|---|
| 1 lb | 0 t |
| 2 lb | 0.001 t |
| 3 lb | 0.001 t |
| 4 lb | 0.002 t |
| 5 lb | 0.002 t |
| 6 lb | 0.003 t |
| 7 lb | 0.003 t |
| 8 lb | 0.004 t |
| 9 lb | 0.004 t |
| 10 lb | 0.005 t |
| 11 lb | 0.005 t |
| 12 lb | 0.005 t |
| 13 lb | 0.006 t |
| 14 lb | 0.006 t |
| 15 lb | 0.007 t |