Convert stones to pounds in seconds
1 st x 14 = 14 lb
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Ever wondered why your British friend says they weigh "12 stone" instead of pounds? This quirky imperial unit persists in modern Britain like tea habits and queue etiquette. While most countries switched to kilos, the stone remains stubbornly popular for personal weight measurements across the UK and Ireland. Our conversion tool bridges this cultural gap instantly - whether you're interpreting a recipe, tracking fitness progress, or just satisfying curiosity about imperial weights.
Unit definitions
What is a stone (st)?
Description: A traditional British weight unit equal to 14 pounds
Symbol: st
Common uses: Body weight measurement, agricultural products
Definition: 1 stone = 14 avoirdupois pounds = 6.35029 kilograms
What is a pound (lb)?
Description: Base unit of mass in imperial system
Symbol: lb (from Latin libra)
Common uses: Everyday weight measurements, cooking recipes
Definition: 1 pound = 0.453592 kilograms = 16 ounces
Conversion formula
The stone-pound relationship is beautifully simple:
Pounds = Stones × 14
Stones = Pounds ÷ 14
No complicated decimals here - just straightforward multiplication. This 14:1 ratio dates back to medieval wool trade practices. Farmers would balance stone weights against bundles of wool, needing simple math for quick transactions.
Example calculations
- 7 stones to pounds
7 × 14 = 98 pounds
(That's like seven 14-pound bowling balls) - 21 pounds to stones
21 ÷ 14 = 1.5 stones
(Or 1 stone 7 pounds if using combined units)
Conversion tables
Stones to pounds
| Stones | Pounds |
|---|---|
| 1 | 14 |
| 2 | 28 |
| 3 | 42 |
| 4 | 56 |
| 5 | 70 |
| 6 | 84 |
| 7 | 98 |
| 8 | 112 |
| 9 | 126 |
| 10 | 140 |
Pounds to stones
| Pounds | Stones |
|---|---|
| 14 | 1 |
| 28 | 2 |
| 42 | 3 |
| 56 | 4 |
| 70 | 5 |
| 84 | 6 |
| 98 | 7 |
| 112 | 8 |
| 126 | 9 |
| 140 | 10 |
Historical background
The stone's history is literally set in stone - ancient civilizations used actual rocks as weight standards. Medieval English merchants eventually standardized it to 14 pounds in the 14 th century. This particular value likely originated from the wool trade, where a stone of wool equaled two "cloves" (7 pounds each). Despite metrication efforts, the stone survives in British vernacular like a linguistic fossil.
Interesting facts
- Boxing weights: British fight fans still hear weights like "12 stone 6 pounds" during match announcements
- Irish transition: Ireland officially stopped using stones in 2005... but many still do
- Egg measurements: British egg sizes are classified by minimum mass per dozen in stones
- Roman roots: The pound (libra) comes from ancient Rome's balance scales
- Trucker talk: UK lorry drivers often refer to cargo weight in "tonnes" (metric) but personal weight in stones
FAQ
The 14-pound standard was established in 14th-century England for trade consistency, replacing variable regional stone weights.
No, Americans typically use pounds exclusively. Stones are primarily used in the UK and Ireland for body weight.
Multiply your stone measurement by 14. Example: 11 stone = 154 pounds (11 x 14).
No, it's part of the imperial system. The UK officially adopted metric in 1995 but still uses stones informally.
Yes, British boxing uses stones for weight classes. A cruiserweight limit is 14 stone 4 pounds (200 lb).