Mass / Weight Conversion Calculator
Converts metric, imperial, Chinese and Japanese mass / weight measurements
Weight Measurement Calculator
Mass / Weight Converter
Select the unit of measurement that you know and enter its value. The calculator supports metric, imperial, Chinese and Japanese mass units.
Mass / Weight Units - Overview
SI System
1 kg = 1,000 g = 1,000,000 mg
Tonne
1,000 kg
≈ 2,205 lb
tPound
453.59 g
≈ 0.454 kg
lbImportant Conversions
- 1 pound (lb) = 453.59 g
- 1 ounce (oz) = 28.35 g
- 1 stone = 6.35 kg = 14 pounds
- 1 ton (long) = 1,016 kg
- 1 ton (short) = 907.2 kg
Metric System
The metric system with kilogram as base unit (SI):
- 1 mg (milligram) = 10⁻³ g
- 1 g (gram) = base unit
- 1 kg (kilogram) = 1,000 g
- 1 t (tonne) = 1,000 kg
- Used worldwide as standard
Imperial System
The imperial system is mainly used in USA and UK:
- 1 grain (gr) = 64.8 mg
- 1 dram (dr) = 1.77 g
- 1 ounce (oz) = 28.35 g
- 1 pound (lb) = 453.59 g = 16 oz
- 1 stone (st) = 6.35 kg = 14 lb
- 1 long ton = 1,016 kg (UK)
- 1 short ton = 907.2 kg (US)
Chinese System
Traditional Chinese weights (Shìzhì):
- 1 Jin (斤) ≈ 500 g (catty)
- 1 Liang (兩) ≈ 50 g (tael)
- 1 Qian (錢) ≈ 5 g (mace)
- 1 Dan (擔) ≈ 50 kg (picul)
- Still used in traditional markets
Japanese System
Traditional Japanese weights:
- 1 Momme (匁) ≈ 3.75 g
- 1 Ryō (両) ≈ 37.5 g
- 1 Kin (斤) ≈ 600 g
- 1 Kan (貫) ≈ 3.75 kg
- Used for pearls and precious metals
Mass vs. Weight
Mass is the amount of matter in an object (measured in kg). Weight is the force exerted by gravity on that mass (measured in Newton). In everyday language, we often use "weight" when we mean "mass".
Mass / Weight Units - Detailed Description
Metric System
The metric system uses the kilogram (kg) as the base unit for mass. It's part of the International System of Units (SI) and is used worldwide. The system uses decimal multiples, making calculations simple.
• 1 kg = 1,000 g
• 1 g = 1,000 mg
• 1 t (tonne) = 1,000 kg
• 1 kg ≈ 2.205 pounds
Imperial System
The imperial system is primarily used in the United States and partially in the United Kingdom. It includes various units with complex relationships.
• 1 lb = 16 oz = 453.59 g
• 1 oz = 16 dram = 28.35 g
• 1 stone = 14 lb = 6.35 kg
• 1 long ton = 2,240 lb (UK)
• 1 short ton = 2,000 lb (US)
Chinese System (Shìzhì)
The traditional Chinese weight system (Shìzhì 市制) is still used in China alongside the metric system, especially in traditional markets and for certain goods.
• 1 Dan (擔) = 100 Jin ≈ 50 kg
• 1 Jin (斤) = 10 Liang ≈ 500 g
• 1 Liang (兩/tael) = 10 Qian ≈ 50 g
• 1 Qian (錢/mace) ≈ 5 g
Japanese System
Traditional Japanese weights are still used for precious metals, pearls, and in traditional crafts. The system was standardized in the Meiji period.
• 1 Kan (貫) = 1,000 Momme ≈ 3.75 kg
• 1 Kin (斤) = 160 Momme ≈ 600 g
• 1 Ryō (両) = 10 Momme ≈ 37.5 g
• 1 Momme (匁) ≈ 3.75 g
Comparison Table
| Unit | Symbol | Equivalent in Grams | System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gram | g | 1 | Metric |
| Kilogram | kg | 1,000 | Metric |
| Tonne | t | 1,000,000 | Metric |
| Ounce | oz | 28.35 | Imperial |
| Pound | lb | 453.59 | Imperial |
| Stone | st | 6,350 | Imperial |
| Jin (斤) | - | 500 | Chinese |
| Liang (兩) | - | 50 | Chinese |
| Momme (匁) | - | 3.75 | Japanese |
| Kan (貫) | - | 3,750 | Japanese |
Practical Applications
Everyday Use:
- Body weight: kg (metric), lb/stone (imperial)
- Food: g/kg (metric), oz/lb (imperial)
- Luggage: kg (metric), lb (imperial)
- Cooking: g, oz, lb depending on region
Special Applications:
- Gold/Silver: troy ounce, momme
- Pearls: momme (Japan), grain
- Pharmaceuticals: mg, grain
- Traditional markets: jin, liang (China)
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