Pound to Ounce Converter

A pound (lb) is a unit of mass in the imperial and US customary systems, equal to 16 ounces or approximately 453.592 grams. The avoirdupois pound is the most commonly used variant.

The pound has ancient origins, derived from the Roman 'libra pondo' meaning 'pound weight'. Various pound definitions existed throughout history until the avoirdupois pound was standardized. The international avoirdupois pound was defined as exactly 453.59237 grams in 1959.

Pounds are primarily used in the United States, United Kingdom, and a few other countries for measuring body weight, food products, and everyday objects. They're standard for personal scales, grocery items, shipping weights, and in fitness and health contexts in these regions.

An ounce (oz) is a unit of mass in the imperial and US customary systems, equal to 1/16 of a pound or approximately 28.35 grams. The avoirdupois ounce is the most common variant.

The ounce derives from the Roman 'uncia' meaning 'twelfth part', originally 1/12 of a Roman pound. The avoirdupois ounce evolved from medieval English trade weights and was standardized as part of the imperial system. It was internationally defined as exactly 28.349523125 grams in 1959.

Ounces are commonly used in the United States for measuring food portions, postal weights, precious metals, and small consumer products. They're standard for nutrition labels, recipe measurements, jewelry, and in retail for products sold by weight in imperial system countries.