What Is Ounces to Pounds Conversion?

Ounces and pounds are both part of the US customary system. Ounces are used for smaller weights while pounds handle larger amounts. Converting between them is essential for cooking, shipping, and understanding product packaging.

When You Need This Conversion

Cooking and recipes — Scaling ingredients up or down
Shipping and postage — Calculating rates across weight tiers
Grocery shopping — Comparing prices per lb
Baby weights — Birth weights in lbs and oz
Pet food — Portion sizing
Retail packaging — Understanding product sizes

The Conversion Factor

This is simple: 16 ounces = 1 pound exactly. Divide ounces by 16 to get pounds.

Common Fractional Pounds

Since 16 is easily divisible: 8 oz = ½ lb, 4 oz = ¼ lb, 12 oz = ¾ lb. These fractions appear often on food packaging.

How to Convert Ounces to Pounds

Using This Converter

Enter weight in ounces
See the pound equivalent instantly
Use swap to convert lbs to oz
Copy the result for your needs

The Simple Math

Divide ounces by 16:

4 oz = 0.25 lbs (quarter pound)
8 oz = 0.5 lbs (half pound)
12 oz = 0.75 lbs (three quarters)
16 oz = 1 lb
24 oz = 1.5 lbs
32 oz = 2 lbs

Common Reference Points

4 oz — Quarter-pound burger patty
8 oz — Typical yogurt container
12 oz — Soda can (liquid, but same number)
16 oz — One-pound package of pasta
32 oz — Large jar of sauce

For Postal Rates

USPS first-class mail charges by ounce up to 3.5 oz, then by pound for packages. Know when your item crosses the threshold.

Features & Use Cases

Instant Conversion

Enter any ounce value and see pounds immediately. Swap direction for lb→oz conversion with one click.

Common Use Cases

Cooking & Recipes

Recipes might call for "12 oz chicken breast" but you're buying by the pound. Convert to know you need ¾ lb.

Grocery Shopping

Prices per pound help compare products. If a 20 oz jar costs $4, that's 1.25 lbs — calculate price per pound accordingly.

Shipping & Postage

Letter rates use ounces; package rates use pounds. Know when your shipment crosses the 1 lb threshold.

Baby Milestones

Birth weights are often recorded as "7 lbs 4 oz." Convert to decimal pounds for growth charts that need consistent units.

Pet Care

Pet food portions might be listed in ounces while feeding guides show daily amounts in pounds. Convert for accurate portions.

Reference Table

Common ounce values from 4 oz to 64 oz with their pound equivalents for quick lookup.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many ounces are in a pound?

Exactly 16 ounces = 1 pound. This is the definition of the relationship.

What's the difference between oz and fl oz?

Ounces (oz) measure weight; fluid ounces (fl oz) measure volume. A 16 fl oz bottle of water weighs slightly more than 16 oz.

How do I convert "2 lbs 5 oz" to just ounces?

Multiply pounds by 16, then add extra ounces: 2 × 16 = 32, plus 5 = 37 ounces.

Why do some products show both oz and lbs?

It helps consumers understand both the precise amount (oz) and the general size (lbs). A "24 oz (1.5 lb)" label gives both perspectives.

What's a quarter pound in ounces?

A quarter pound (¼ lb) equals 4 ounces. This is why "Quarter Pounder" burgers use 4 oz patties before cooking.

At what weight does USPS switch from oz to lb pricing?

First-class letters and large envelopes are priced by ounce. Packages over 13 oz must use Priority Mail or other pound-based services.

Ounces to Pounds