How many ounces in a pound: 16 oz
There are 16 ounces in a pound. To convert pounds to ounces, multiply by 16.
Ounces in 1 lb
1 lb x 16 oz per lb = 16 oz
That is 453.6 g
1 lb = 16 oz = 453.59237 g exactly, from NIST Handbook 44. How we calculate this
From: Pounds. Amount: 1 lb.
The pound on US scales and food labels is the avoirdupois pound, defined as exactly 453.59237 g. NIST Handbook 44 divides it into 16 avoirdupois ounces of 28.349523125 g each. So 2 pounds are 32 ounces, and 20 ounces are 1.25 pounds, or 1 lb 4 oz.
Pick the direction under From and type the amount. The extra line gives the weight in grams. For an ounce amount of a pound or more, it gives pounds and ounces instead.
Quick answer: how many ounces are in a pound?
There are 16 ounces in a pound, by NIST Handbook 44. To convert pounds to ounces, multiply by 16: 1.5 lb is 24 oz. To convert ounces to pounds, divide by 16: 20 oz is 1.25 lb, or 1 lb 4 oz. A pound is 453.6 g, and an ounce is 28.35 g.
Key takeaways
- Ounces = pounds x 16, and pounds = ounces / 16.
- Half a pound is 8 oz, a quarter pound is 4 oz, and 1 1/2 pounds are 24 oz.
- 1 lb = 453.59 g, and 1 kg = 2.2 lb, which is 35.27 oz.
- A troy pound, used for precious metals, has only 12 troy ounces and weighs 373.24 g.
Worked example: 1.5 pounds to ounces
A pack of ground beef reads 1.5 lb and the recipe calls for 12 oz. Multiply: 1.5 x 16 = 24 oz, so the recipe uses half the pack.
The other way: a bag of chocolate chips holds 12 oz. Divide by 16: 12 / 16 = 0.75 lb, three quarters of a pound. In grams that is 12 x 28.3495 = 340.2 g.
How we calculate this
Formula
Ounces = pounds x 16.
1 x 16 = 16 oz.
Your inputs
Amount: 1 lb. Pound: avoirdupois, 16 ounces or 453.59237 g exactly; ounce 28.349523125 g (NIST Handbook 44).
The converter multiplies pounds by 16 for ounces and divides ounces by 16 for pounds. Grams come from the exact pound, 453.59237 g, or the exact ounce, 28.349523125 g. Pounds and ounces come from the whole pounds plus the ounces left over. Ounce results show up to two decimals and pound results up to three.
Sources
- NIST, Handbook 44, Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement, 2026 edition (read 10 October 2026). Its avoirdupois table gives 16 ounces to the pound and 7,000 grains to the pound, and its conversion table gives the avoirdupois pound as 453.592 37 g. Its troy table gives 12 troy ounces to the troy pound, which is 373.241 721 6 g.
- NIST, Special Publication 811, Appendix B.8 (read 10 October 2026). It lists the pound (avoirdupois) at 0.453 592 4 kg and the ounce (avoirdupois) at 28.349 52 g. It lists the pound (troy or apothecary) at 0.373 241 7 kg, all rounded to seven figures.
Limits
The converter works with weight only. Fluid ounces measure volume, so a pound of a food fills a different number of fluid ounces for each food. For a cup of a named ingredient, use grams to cups or ounces in a cup.
Video: How to Convert Pounds Into Ounces
Pounds to ounces chart
| Pounds | Ounces | Grams |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8 lb | 2 oz | 56.7 g |
| 1/4 lb | 4 oz | 113.4 g |
| 1/3 lb | 5.33 oz | 151.2 g |
| 1/2 lb | 8 oz | 226.8 g |
| 3/4 lb | 12 oz | 340.2 g |
| 1 lb | 16 oz | 453.6 g |
| 1 1/4 lb | 20 oz | 567.0 g |
| 1 1/2 lb | 24 oz | 680.4 g |
| 2 lb | 32 oz | 907.2 g |
| 2 1/2 lb | 40 oz | 1,134.0 g |
| 3 lb | 48 oz | 1,360.8 g |
| 5 lb | 80 oz | 2,268.0 g |
| 10 lb | 160 oz | 4,535.9 g |
Ounces to pounds chart
| Ounces | Pounds | Pounds and ounces | Grams |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 oz | 0.063 lb | under 1 lb | 28.3 g |
| 2 oz | 0.125 lb | under 1 lb | 56.7 g |
| 4 oz | 0.25 lb | under 1 lb | 113.4 g |
| 6 oz | 0.375 lb | under 1 lb | 170.1 g |
| 8 oz | 0.5 lb | under 1 lb | 226.8 g |
| 10 oz | 0.625 lb | under 1 lb | 283.5 g |
| 12 oz | 0.75 lb | under 1 lb | 340.2 g |
| 16 oz | 1 lb | 1 lb | 453.6 g |
| 20 oz | 1.25 lb | 1 lb 4 oz | 567.0 g |
| 24 oz | 1.5 lb | 1 lb 8 oz | 680.4 g |
| 28 oz | 1.75 lb | 1 lb 12 oz | 793.8 g |
| 32 oz | 2 lb | 2 lb | 907.2 g |
| 40 oz | 2.5 lb | 2 lb 8 oz | 1,134.0 g |
| 48 oz | 3 lb | 3 lb | 1,360.8 g |
| 64 oz | 4 lb | 4 lb | 1,814.4 g |
How many ounces in a pound of butter, meat or flour?
Always 16, because the ounce and the pound are both weights. A pound of butter, a pound of ground beef and a pound of flour each weigh 16 oz on a scale. USDA FoodData Central lists a stick of butter at 113 g, about 4 oz, so a pound of butter is four sticks.
Volume is a different question. A pound of flour fills about 3 5/8 cups at USDA's 125 g per cup, and a pound of water about 1.92 cups.
Ounces or fluid ounces in a pound?
A pound has 16 ounces of weight. Fluid ounces are volume, so the count depends on the food. At about 1 g per mL, a pound of water fills about 15.3 US fluid ounces. A pound of honey or oil fills a different number, because each weighs a different amount per cup. For fluid ounces, use the mL to oz converter.
Troy pounds and troy ounces
Gold, silver and other precious metals use troy units. NIST Handbook 44 puts 12 troy ounces in a troy pound, which weighs 373.24 g. A troy ounce, 31.10 g, is about 10 percent heavier than a kitchen ounce. A troy pound is about 18 percent lighter than a kitchen pound, because it has 12 ounces instead of 16.
How many pounds in a kilogram?
A kilogram is 2.2046 pounds, or 35.27 ounces, and a pound is 0.4536 kg. For grams and ounces of any amount, use grams to ounces.
Frequently asked questions
How many ounces are in half a pound? 8 oz.
How many ounces are in a quarter pound? 4 oz, which is 113.4 g.
How many ounces are in 2 pounds? 32 oz.
How many pounds are 20 ounces? 1.25 lb, or 1 lb 4 oz.
Is 16 oz a pound? Yes. 16 avoirdupois ounces make 1 pound, 453.59 g.
How many grams are in a pound? 453.59 g, exactly 453.59237 g.
Conclusion
A pound holds 16 ounces, so pounds to ounces is a multiplication by 16 and ounces to pounds a division by 16. Keep ounces of weight apart from fluid ounces, and leave troy ounces to precious metals. For recipes to weigh out, see the TheSawad cookbooks.