Pounds to kg Converter With Airline Bag Weight Check

Pounds and kilograms, plus the airline bag check

The international avoirdupois pound is defined as exactly 0.45359237 kilograms. To convert pounds to kilograms, multiply by 0.45359237, or about 0.4536. To convert kilograms to pounds, divide by 0.45359237, or multiply by 2.20462. Worked example: a 23 kilogram suitcase equals 23 divided by 0.45359237, which is 50.71 pounds. The pounds figure is what matters on a US airline scale.

That example is chosen on purpose. Many international carriers allow 23 kg per checked bag, and many US carriers use a 50 pound economy limit. A bag packed to exactly 23 kg is therefore 0.71 lb over the US limit, and the tool reports it as over by 0.71 lb. Pick a limit from the selector, since premium cabins and some fares allow 70 pounds. The limits in the selector are common examples, not any one airline rule.

Weight is only one test, because size counts too. Add the three sides of a bag to get its linear inches with the linear inches calculator. Fees for going over depend on the airline and route, and the overweight and oversize bag fee calculator puts a dollar figure on them. The total bag cost calculator adds every bag. This is an estimate and your scale may differ by half a pound. The same conversion works for pet carriers, sports gear, shipping parcels and gym weights, so keep it handy after the trip.

Reference table for common bag weights, plain HTML so it works without JavaScript.

Where these numbers come from

The formulas and default values in this calculator are based on:

• NIST SP 811 Appendix B8, conversion factors (nist.gov/pml/special-publication-811/nist-guide-si-appendix-b-conversion-factors/nist-guide-si-appendix-b8)
• NIST unit conversion guidance (nist.gov/pml/owm/metric-si/unit-conversion). Note: the 40, 50 and 70 lb limits are common examples you choose, not one airline's published rule
• confirm on your airline's baggage page

This is a planning estimate, not medical, legal or immigration advice. Fees, allowances, limits and entry rules change, so confirm the figures with your airline, cruise line, customs agency or the official government source before you book or travel, and follow their rules if they differ from this page.