How to Convert Pounds to Ounces (lb to oz)
Weight units matter at the wet market, where older stalls and Chinese medical halls still quote prices per kati or tael, and when following American recipes in ounces and pounds. This guide shows how to convert pounds into ounces by hand, with examples and a quick-reference table.
The conversion
To convert pounds to ounces, multiply the value by 16. To go the other way, divide by the same number (or multiply by 0.0625). For a quick estimate, multiply by about 16.
Ounces = pounds × 16
Worked examples
- 3 lb = 48 oz
- 12.5 lb = 200 oz
- 75 lb = 1,200 oz
Pounds to Ounces table
| Pounds | Ounces |
|---|---|
| 1 lb | 16 oz |
| 2 lb | 32 oz |
| 5 lb | 80 oz |
| 10 lb | 160 oz |
| 20 lb | 320 oz |
| 25 lb | 400 oz |
| 50 lb | 800 oz |
| 100 lb | 1,600 oz |
| 250 lb | 4,000 oz |
| 500 lb | 8,000 oz |
| 1,000 lb | 16,000 oz |
Common questions
Is lb to oz exact?
The factors used here are the internationally defined values where they exist; results are rounded for display only.
How do I convert back?
Use the Ounces to Pounds converter.
Mistakes to avoid
Dropping the units
A bare number without a unit is easy to misread later. Always write the unit with the result.
Forgetting squared and cubed units
Area and volume factors are the length factor squared or cubed, so 1 m² is about 10.76 sq ft, not 3.28.
Multiplying when you should divide
Converting to a smaller unit gives a bigger number, and converting to a larger unit gives a smaller one. If your answer moves the wrong way, you have inverted the factor.
Background
Many conversion factors are exact by definition. The inch has been defined as exactly 2.54 centimetres since 1959, and the pound as exactly 0.45359237 kilograms, so conversions involving them can be as precise as you need.
Unit conversion is simply multiplication by a fixed ratio. The ratio between two units of the same quantity never changes, so once you know it you can convert any value in either direction.
For everyday use, three or four significant figures are usually enough. Engineering, science and trade documents may need more, and rounding should happen only at the end of a calculation.
For any value, use the Pounds to Ounces Converter or browse all weight converters.
Run your own numbers: Pounds to Ounces Converter