Pounds to ounces converter

How to convert pounds to ounces

Multiply the pounds by 16: oz = lb × 16. So 1.5 lb = 24 oz, 0.25 lb = 4 oz and 5 lb = 80 oz. Use it when a label or recipe gives decimal pounds and your scale, portion size or shipping form works in ounces. These are everyday weight (avoirdupois) units, not fluid ounces, and the 16-ounce pound is the definition used for trade (NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C).

Converting a decimal label weight

Store scale labels usually print decimal pounds. Multiply the whole figure by 16: 1.37 lb × 16 = 21.92 oz.

To read the same weight as pounds and ounces, keep the whole pounds and convert only the decimal part: 0.37 × 16 = 5.92, so 1.37 lb is 1 lb 5.92 oz, about 1 lb 6 oz.

Pounds to ounces chart

Portioning by the ounce

Convert the total to ounces first, then divide by the portion size. 1.5 lb of ground beef is 24 oz, enough for six 4 oz patties; 2.5 lb of cheese is 40 oz, or eight 5 oz portions.

A third of a pound is 16 ÷ 3, about 5.33 oz, which is the portion for a third-pound burger.

Mixed weights such as 7 lb 8 oz

For a weight in pounds and ounces, convert the pounds and add the ounces: a 7 lb 8 oz newborn weighs 7 × 16 + 8 = 120 oz, or 7.5 lb.

In decimal pounds, the ounces become sixteenths: 1 lb 5 oz is 1 + 5/16 = 1.3125 lb, not 1.5 lb. Typing 1+5/16 converts it to 21 oz in one step.

Common mistakes

• Reading 1.5 lb as 1 lb 5 oz. The decimal is a fraction of a pound: 0.5 lb is 8 oz, so 1.5 lb is 1 lb 8 oz.
• Measuring weight ounces with a measuring cup. "8 oz of flour" in a recipe is a weight. A cup holds 8 fl oz of volume, and a cup of all-purpose flour weighs only about 4.2 oz; the cooking converter converts cups to weight by ingredient.
• Using 16 for precious metals. Gold and silver are weighed in troy ounces, and a pound is 14.58 oz t; the weight converter converts between the two.

Related conversions

For the reverse step, use ounces to pounds. For metric weights, use pounds to kilograms.