What Is a Mass Calculator?
This mass converter instantly converts between kilograms, grams, milligrams, pounds, ounces, slugs, and metric tons — useful for science, engineering, cooking, and shipping calculations.
How to Use the Mass Calculator
- Enter a mass value.
- Select the unit you're converting from.
- View the value instantly converted to all other supported units.
Mass Conversion Reference
| Unit | Equivalent in Kilograms |
|---|---|
| 1 gram | 0.001 kg |
| 1 pound | 0.453592 kg |
| 1 ounce | 0.0283495 kg |
| 1 slug | 14.5939 kg |
| 1 metric ton | 1,000 kg |
Mass vs. Weight
Mass (measured in kg, g, lb) is the amount of matter in an object and stays constant regardless of location. Weight is the force of gravity acting on that mass, and technically varies with gravity (e.g., an object weighs less on the Moon). In everyday language, "pounds" and "kilograms" are often used interchangeably for both, but scientifically, pounds and kilograms measure mass, while weight is properly measured in force units like newtons.
What Is a Slug?
A slug is the imperial unit of mass used in physics and engineering, defined so that a 1-pound force accelerates a 1-slug mass at 1 ft/s². It's less commonly encountered outside of engineering and physics contexts.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing mass units with weight/force units (like newtons or pound-force) in physics contexts.
- Mixing up milligrams and grams (1 gram = 1,000 milligrams).
Frequently Asked Questions
Mass is the amount of matter in an object and stays constant everywhere. Weight is the force of gravity acting on that mass and varies depending on gravitational strength (e.g., objects weigh less on the Moon).
Multiply pounds by 0.453592 to get kilograms.
A slug is the imperial unit of mass, defined so that a 1-pound force accelerates a 1-slug mass at 1 foot per second squared — commonly used in US engineering calculations.
There are 1,000 grams in a kilogram.
This calculator uses standard, internationally recognized conversion factors for accurate results.