Mass Unit Conversion

FAQ

• What is the difference between mass and weight?
  Mass is the amount of matter in an object, measured in kilograms or pounds. Weight is the force exerted by gravity on that mass. Mass remains constant everywhere, but weight changes with gravitational field strength (e.g., you weigh less on the moon but your mass stays the same).
• How do I convert between metric and imperial mass units?
  Key conversions: 1 kg = 2.20462 pounds = 35.274 ounces. For example, to convert 10 pounds to kilograms: 10 ÷ 2.20462 = 4.54 kg. The calculator handles these conversions automatically with high precision.
• What's the difference between US tons and British tons?
  US ton (short ton) = 2000 pounds = 907.2 kg. British ton (long ton) = 2240 pounds = 1016 kg. Metric ton (tonne) = 1000 kg = 2204.6 pounds. Always specify which ton you're using to avoid confusion in international trade.
• When should I use different mass units?
  Use grams for small items (food, chemicals), kilograms for everyday objects (body weight, packages), metric tons for large quantities (cargo, materials), ounces for recipes and small measurements, pounds for body weight in the US, and tons for heavy industrial applications.
• How accurate are mass unit conversions?
  The conversions use internationally defined standards. For example, 1 pound = exactly 0.45359237 kg by definition. The calculator maintains precision suitable for commercial, scientific, and engineering applications, typically displaying 2-3 significant figures.
• What are typical mass ranges for different applications?
  Pharmaceuticals: milligrams to grams. Food recipes: grams to kilograms. Human body weight: 50-100 kg (110-220 lbs). Vehicles: 1-50 tons. Industrial materials: tons to kilotons. Shipping containers: 20-30 tons. Understanding these ranges helps put measurements in context.