Kilogram Converter

About Kilograms (kg)

The kilogram (symbol: kg) is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined by taking the fixed numerical value of the Planck constant *h* to be 6.62607015 × 10⁻³⁴ when expressed in the unit J·s, which is equal to kg·m²·s⁻¹, where the meter and the second are defined in terms of *c* (speed of light) and ΔνCs (hyperfine transition frequency of caesium).

Originally, in 1795, the kilogram was defined as the mass of one liter (a cubic decimeter) of water at its melting point. In 1889, the International Prototype of the Kilogram (IPK), a cylinder made of platinum-iridium, became the standard. For 130 years, this physical artifact defined the kilogram. On May 20, 2019, the definition was officially changed to be based on the Planck constant, ensuring a more stable and universally reproducible standard tied to fundamental constants of nature.

Kilograms are used globally for a wide range of mass measurements:

• Measuring human body weight.
• Quantifying food products and groceries.
• Shipping and logistics (weight of packages and freight).
• Scientific experiments and calculations.
• Industrial processes and material specifications.

• 1 kilogram (kg) = 1,000 grams (g)
• 1 kilogram (kg) = 1,000,000 milligrams (mg)
• 1 metric ton (tonne, t) = 1,000 kilograms (kg)
• 1 kilogram (kg) ≈ 2.20462 pounds (lb, avoirdupois)

To help visualize a kilogram:

• A liter bottle of water has a mass of approximately 1 kilogram (excluding the bottle itself).
• A standard bag of sugar or flour often weighs 1 kilogram in many countries.
• A pineapple or a small cantaloupe melon can weigh around 1 kilogram.
• A typical laptop computer might weigh between 1 to 3 kilograms.