Difference between Pound and Stone

Key Difference: Pound and Stone are two different units of measurement. The main difference between them is the fact that while pounds are used in both US and UK, stone is used primarily in the UK. Also, 1 stone = 14 pounds = 6.3503 kgs

Pound and Stone are two different units of measurement. Both are used to measure weight, especially body weight. While, pound can be used to weight anything, stone is commonly used for body weight. Another difference between them is the fact that while pounds are used in both US and UK, stone is used primarily in the UK. Both are less commonly used in other counties around the world, where the common norm is to use the kilogram, which is part of the metric system.

Both the pound and stone developed independently and were commonly used in European Countries. The pound is derived from the Roman unit of libra, which is why the abbreviation of pound is "lb". The stone, on the other hand, was derived from the traditional method of the English of using large stones as standards for measuring. The English eventually adopted the wool stone as the norm for al weight measurements. This is the stone that is still in use.

Despite the fact that nearly all European countries shifted to the metric system in the mid-1800s, the pound and stone have persevered in their usage, and have even thrived to some extent. The pound is the primary unit of measurement for weight in the US, while both pound and stone are used in the UK. The stone is the preferred measurement for body weight in the UK, as well as for agricultural products; the pound and kilograms are used for almost everything else. Yet the official measurement of unit for weight is kilograms.

In terms of the actual weight themselves, the stone is heavier than the pound; 1 stone equals to 14 pounds. In comparison to kilograms, 1 stone equals to 6.35 kgs, whereas 1 pound weights 453.59 grams only.

It should be noted that the plural of stone is stone when used in this context. Hence, things can weigh 1 stones, or they can weight 50 stone. Additionally, stones are often used together with pounds to denote weight that doesn’t fit into the ideal stone. For example: 158 pounds will equal to 11 stone 4 pounds. Stone is commonly used a whole number, the left over weight is transcribed in pounds.

Comparison between Pound and Stone:

 

Pound

Stone

Description

A unit of mass used in the imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement.

English and imperial unit of mass

Type

A unit of measurement

A unit of measurement

Measures

Weight

Weight, especially body weight

Part of

The imperial system

The imperial system

Abbreviation

lb, lbm, lbm for most pounds

st

Plural

Pounds

Stone

Used in

US

UK

Conversion

1 pound = 453.592 grams

2.20462 pounds = 1 kilogram

1 stone = 14 Pounds (lbs)

1 stone = 6.3503 kgs

Reference: Wikipedia (Pound and Stone), Converworld, Clara
Image Courtesy: abcteach.com, eatock.com

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