In our daily lives, we encounter various weight measurement systems such as grams, kilograms, pounds etc. Being knowledgeable and adaptable to conversion in different units of measurement is crucial, especially in a global context where various systems are used across different regions and industries. By doing so, we can ensure that we receive fair value for our transactions and avoid being taken advantage of.
However, converting between these weight measurement units can be challenging, mainly if we are not familiar with the formulas involved. In this blog, we will focus on converting pounds to stones, a unique system predominantly used in the United Kingdom.
Table of contents
Pounds: An Overview
The word “pound” originates from the Latin word “Libra” which was the predominant weighing unit in the Medieval Roman Empire. Today, Pound is the most significant weighing unit in the United Kingdom and some of its former colonies. 1 Pound in Stones is evaluated at 1 pound (lb) = 0.0714286 stone (st), showing that stone is the heavier unit of measurement.
Use of Pounds
The pound system remains largely relevant in certain industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and international trade. For example, the packaging of certain food products, such as meat, vegetables, and fruits, are still commonly labelled in pounds. Additionally, some weighing equipment uses the pound system, particularly for larger items.
Origin of Pounds
The pound system of weight measurement dates back to the Roman Empire, where the pound was used as a unit of weight to measure precious metals such as gold and silver. Over time, the concept of the pound spread throughout Europe and was standardized in terms of the other measurement units valid then.
Stones: An Overview
The use of standardized weights for measuring the weight of various items and commodities is widespread across the world. However, it may surprise you to learn that it was in medieval England that the concept of using stones and seeds as units of measurement originated, ultimately leading to the development of the Stones system of weight measurement. This system has since evolved into the standard weights that we use today.
Stone or Stone weight (abbreviated as st) is a unique aspect of the imperial weight measurement system. Its value is equated to that of 14 pounds or 6.35 kilograms in the metric system.
Use of Stones
The use of stones as a unit of weight is primarily found in the United Kingdom and other commonwealth nations that have historical ties to the British Empire. In these regions, stones are commonly used to measure the weight of people and classify the weight category of people, especially for body weight and sports competitions such as boxing and wrestling. This means that there is still a need to convert between units of weight in different systems, including between pounds and stones.
History of Stones
The origins of the stones system of weight measurement cannot be entirely traced back; however, popular beliefs highlight that the stone system of measurement originated in the British Isles, where it was used to measure weight for trading purposes, traditionally for measuring the weight of wool using natural objects such as stones or seeds. Later on, standardized weights were developed from materials such as bronze and iron, which were used in commerce to ensure fairness and accuracy in trade.
Correlation Between Pounds and Stones
In the imperial measurement system, pounds and stones are units of weight or mass. A pound is a smaller unit when compared to a stone, making it a larger unit. A simple mathematical correlation exists between the two imperial units, where 1 stone equals 14 pounds. Therefore, converting between pounds to stones, or stones to pounds, simply involves dividing or multiplying by 14.
Pounds to Stones Conversion
The conversion between the two units of pounds and stones can be achieved with ease by just dividing the units of pound by 14.
The formula to convert pounds to stones is:
number of pounds / 14 = number of stones
Please take note that this formula only works for the imperial system of measurement. If you are working with weights in the metric system, you would use a different set of formulas.
Pounds to Stones Conversion: Formula & Examples
You already know the formula to convert Pound to Stone, i.e., number of pounds / 14 = number of stones. Let us exemplify how to use the formula further with examples,
Example 1: Convert 75 pounds to stones:
75 / 14 = 5.35714 stones
Therefore, 75 pounds is equivalent to 5.35714 stones.
Example 2: Convert 100 pounds to stones:
100 / 14 = 7.14286 stones
Therefore, 100 pounds is equivalent to 7.14286 stones.
Example 3: Convert 250 pounds to stones:
250 / 14 = 17.8571 stones
Therefore, 100 pounds is equivalent to 17.8571 stones.
Example 4: Convert 300 pounds to stones:
300 / 14 = 21.4286 stones
Therefore, 300 pounds is equivalent to 21.4286 stones.
Example 5: Convert 500 pounds to stones:
500 / 14 = 35.7143 stones
Therefore, 500 pounds is equivalent to 35.7143 stones.
Example 6: Convert 750 pounds to stones:
750 / 14 = 53.5714 stones
Therefore, 750 pounds is equivalent to 53.5714 stones.
Example 7: Convert 1000 pounds to stones:
1000 / 14 = 71.4286 stones
Therefore, 1000 pounds is equivalent to 71.4286 stones.
Example 8: Convert 1500 pounds to stones:
1500 / 14 = 107.1429 stones
Therefore, 1500 pounds is equivalent to 107.1429 stones.
Example 9: Convert 5000 pounds to stones:
5000 / 14 = 357.1429 stones
Therefore, 1500 pounds is equivalent to 357.1429 stones.
Example 10: Convert 20000 pounds to stones:
20000 / 14 = 1428.5714 stones
Therefore, 20000 pounds is equivalent to 1428.5714 stones.
Pounds to Stones Conversion Table
Having a conversation table handy eases your calculations, and provides you a solid foundation along with conceptual clarity, as to how Pounds correlates to Stones. The following table describes the value of 1 – 100 Pounds to Stones.
| Pounds (Ib) | Stones (st) |
| 1 | 0.071 |
| 2 | 0.143 |
| 3 | 0.214 |
| 4 | 0.286 |
| 5 | 0.357 |
| 6 | 0.429 |
| 7 | 0.5 |
| 8 | 0.571 |
| 9 | 0.643 |
| 10 | 0.714 |
| 11 | 0.786 |
| 12 | 0.857 |
| 13 | 0.929 |
| 14 | 1 |
| 15 | 1.071 |
| 16 | 1.143 |
| 17 | 1.214 |
| 18 | 1.286 |
| 19 | 1.357 |
| 20 | 1.429 |
| 21 | 1.5 |
| 22 | 1.571 |
| 23 | 1.643 |
| 24 | 1.714 |
| 25 | 1.786 |
| 26 | 1.857 |
| 27 | 1.929 |
| 28 | 2 |
| 29 | 2.071 |
| 30 | 2.143 |
| 31 | 2.214 |
| 32 | 2.286 |
| 33 | 2.357 |
| 34 | 2.429 |
| 35 | 2.5 |
| 36 | 2.571 |
| 37 | 2.643 |
| 38 | 2.714 |
| 39 | 2.786 |
| 40 | 2.857 |
| 41 | 2.929 |
| 42 | 3 |
| 43 | 3.071 |
| 44 | 3.143 |
| 45 | 3.214 |
| 46 | 3.286 |
| 47 | 3.357 |
| 48 | 3.429 |
| 49 | 3.5 |
| 50 | 3.571 |
| 51 | 3.643 |
| 52 | 3.714 |
| 53 | 3.786 |
| 54 | 3.857 |
| 55 | 3.929 |
| 56 | 4 |
| 57 | 4.071 |
| 58 | 4.143 |
| 59 | 4.214 |
| 60 | 4.286 |
| 61 | 4.357 |
| 62 | 4.429 |
| 63 | 4.5 |
| 64 | 4.571 |
| 65 | 4.643 |
| 66 | 4.714 |
| 67 | 4.786 |
| 68 | 4.857 |
| 69 | 4.929 |
| 70 | 5 |
| 71 | 5.071 |
| 72 | 5.143 |
| 73 | 5.214 |
| 74 | 5.286 |
| 75 | 5.357 |
| 76 | 5.429 |
| 77 | 5.5 |
| 78 | 5.571 |
| 79 | 5.643 |
| 80 | 5.714 |
| 81 | 5.786 |
| 82 | 5.857 |
| 83 | 5.929 |
| 84 | 6 |
| 85 | 6.071 |
| 86 | 6.143 |
| 87 | 6.214 |
| 88 | 6.286 |
| 89 | 6.357 |
| 90 | 6.429 |
| 91 | 6.5 |
| 92 | 6.571 |
| 93 | 6.643 |
| 94 | 6.714 |
| 95 | 6.786 |
| 96 | 6.857 |
| 97 | 6.929 |
| 98 | 7 |
| 99 | 7.071 |
| 100 | 7.143 |
Differences Between Pounds and Stones
Although there exists a host of similarities between the two measuring units, from belonging to the same imperial measurement system to being the customary measurement unit in the UK and former imperial colonies, it is pertinent to note that the Pound and Stone are two different units, and here is the list of differences between the two units when compared:
| Units | Stones (st) | Pound (Lb) |
| Origin | Derived from the use of stones | Derived from latin word Libra |
| Relative weight | Larger | Smaller |
| Conversion | 1 stone = 14 pounds | 1 pound = 0.0714286 stones |
| Common Use | Measurement of body weight etc | Measurement of fruits, vegetablesetc |
Conclusion
Being knowledgeable and adaptable to different systems of weight measurement is crucial in our daily lives, especially in a global context where various systems are used across different regions and industries. The pound system remains relevant in certain industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and international trade, while the stone system of weight measurement is primarily used in the United Kingdom and other commonwealth nations for tracking health and fitness.
Although converting between pounds and stones may seem challenging, the simple formula of dividing the units of pound by 14 makes the conversion easy. By understanding the basics of conversion, we can ensure that we receive fair value for our transactions and avoid being taken advantage of.
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FAQ’s about Pounds to Stones
Q1. Why 14 pounds in a stone?
14 Pounds make a stone as it is believed that the stones used to weigh wool in medieval trading practices weighed around 14 pounds each, hence when the term “stone” was used as a unit of weight, 14 pounds became the standard weight for one stone.
Q2. What does 2 stones mean in pounds?
If 1 Stone is evaluated to be worth 14 pounds, 2 stones x 14 pounds per stone = 28 Pounds.
Q3. What do 10 stones mean in pounds?
If 1 Stone is evaluated to be worth 14 pounds, 10 stones x 14 pounds per stone equal to 140 Pounds.
Q4. How much weight is 1 Stone?
1 Stone = 14 Pounds in the imperial weight measurement system.
