Everything you need to know about measuring grams, from terms and origin to how many grams are in a pound!
There are 453.592 grams in a pound. This is the same regardless of what you’re measuring, because both pounds and grams are methods of measuring weight. So whether the question is “how many grams are in a pound of sugar”, “butter”, or even “gold”, the answer is always 453 grams!
What Is A Pound?
A pound is equal to 453.592 grams (g), or 0.4536 kilograms (Kg) (there are 1000 grams in a kilogram).
The term “pound” derives from the Roman unit of measure Libra Pondo which meant a pound by weight. The English term pound came from the second word pondo in Latin. Why are pounds abbreviated as “lbs”? The “lb” is taken from the first word, Libra!
The pound was not always the same weight it is today. In mid-evil Britain a pound was only 5,400 grains or the equivalent of 0.350 Kg today. A standard pound weight was kept in the royal mint in the Tower of London. In 1527 the troy pound, likely originated in Troyes France, displaced the English pound with a weight of 6,750 grains or the equivalent of 0.453 Kg today.
Of course, today almost no one outside the USA uses the pound. Only the US, Liberia, and Myanmar still use the pound.
What Is A Gram?
The gram was introduced in France following the French Revolution. The word gramme was adopted by the French in a 1795 decree revising the metric system and defining the gram as the weight of one cubic centimeter of water.
Converting Grams to Pounds
These conversions are important because recipes developed outside the United States call for grams vs pounds and in baking precise ingredient quantities can be important. Here are some commonly found recipe quantities converted to pounds (related: grams to ounces).
Grams to Pounds
| Grams | Pounds |
|---|---|
| 100 g | 0.22 lbs |
| 200 g | 0.44 lbs |
| 300 g | 0.66 lbs |
| 400 g | 0.88 lbs |
| 500 g | 1.10 lbs |
| 600 g | 1.32 lbs |
| 700 g | 1.54 lbs |
| 800 g | 1.76 lbs |
| 900 g | 1.98 lbs |
| 1000 g | 2.20 lbs |
| 2000 g | 4.41 lbs |
Pounds to Grams
| Pounds | Grams |
|---|---|
| 1 lb | 453.59 g |
| 1.25 lbs | 566.99 g |
| 1.5 lbs | 680.39 g |
| 1.75 lbs | 793.79 g |
| 2 lbs | 907.18 g |
| 3 lbs | 1360.78 g |
| 4 lbs | 1814.37 g |
| 5 lbs | 2267.96 g |
| 10 lbs | 4535.92 g |
Ian says
Sarah,
Your answer is slightly incorrect here. The troy pound is only used to measure precious metals and gems, and is about 100 grams lighter than the avoirdupois pound which is the usual pound measure (for which your answer is otherwise spot on). A pound of gold is lighter than a pound of butter or sugar, although because the troy pound only has 12 ounces, an ounce of gold
is -heavier- than an ounce of rice or saffron.
Thanks for the quick reference, and excuse my nitpickery about trivia.
Ian
Matt says
Ian, just thought I would stick up for Sarah on this. There was a reference to Troy pounds. But the argument you are making is like saying there is a Troy gram… which this is wrong. Her saying a pound is 453 grams is correct. And how many grams are in a pound of anything is correct. She also made reference to difference in pounds and Troy pounds and how many grams are in a Troy pound.
You are making arguments for the sake of arguing. But keep on fighting the good fight internet warrior! 😂
LilBee Mom says
Thank you do much for this information. I use a scales for many things besides recipes. The metric system is so much more accurate, especially in recipes.