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 US ton, also known as a short ton, is a unit of weight used primarily in the United States. One US ton equals exactly 2,000 pounds or approximately 907.1847 kilograms. It's commonly used in industries like freight, construction, and agriculture to measure large quantities of weight, mostly bulk goods. The US ton is not the same as the imperial ton (also called the long ton) or the metric tonne, so it's important to understand the distinction when converting.
The concept of a "ton" comes from the old term "tun," which referred to a large barrel used for shipping wine. Over time, the word evolved into a unit of weight. The United States standardized the ton to 2,000 pounds, distinguishing it from the British imperial long ton (2,240 pounds) and the metric tonne (1,000 kg).
Today, the US ton remains part of the customary system of units used throughout the country.
How Is the US Ton Used: The US ton is a practical unit for expressing large-scale weight, especially in commercial, agricultural, and industrial sectors. It's widely used for:
1 lb = 0.0005 US ton
Let’s say you want to convert 100 lb to US ton.
Using the formula:
100 × 0.0005 = 0.05 US ton
So, 100 lb is approximately 0.05 US ton.
| Pound (lb) | US Ton (US ton) |
|---|---|
| 1 lb | 0.001 US ton |
| 2 lb | 0.001 US ton |
| 3 lb | 0.002 US ton |
| 4 lb | 0.002 US ton |
| 5 lb | 0.003 US ton |
| 6 lb | 0.003 US ton |
| 7 lb | 0.004 US ton |
| 8 lb | 0.004 US ton |
| 9 lb | 0.005 US ton |
| 10 lb | 0.005 US ton |
| 11 lb | 0.006 US ton |
| 12 lb | 0.006 US ton |
| 13 lb | 0.007 US ton |
| 14 lb | 0.007 US ton |
| 15 lb | 0.008 US ton |