What Is Pounds to Ounces Conversion?

Converting pounds to ounces provides finer measurement resolution within the US customary system. When recipes need precise amounts or shipping rates depend on small differences, ounces offer the detail that pounds can't.

When You Need This Conversion

Recipe precision — Scaling ingredients accurately
Shipping calculations — Exact postage rates
Food service — Portion control
Baby weights — Recording in lbs and oz
Butcher orders — Specifying meat portions
Retail inventory — Precise product weights

The Conversion Factor

The relationship is exact: 1 pound = 16 ounces. Multiply pounds by 16 to get ounces.

Why Use Ounces

Saying "2 lbs 4 oz" is often clearer than "2.25 lbs" for everyday communication. In cooking, "8 oz flour" is more intuitive than "0.5 lb flour."

How to Convert Pounds to Ounces

Using This Converter

Enter weight in pounds
See the ounce equivalent instantly
Use swap to convert oz to lbs
Copy the result for recipes or labels

The Simple Math

Multiply pounds by 16:

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

Converting Decimal Pounds

For 2.3 lbs: multiply by 16 = 36.8 oz. Or: 2 lbs = 32 oz, plus 0.3 × 16 = 4.8 oz. Total: 36.8 oz.

For Recipes

When a recipe calls for "1.5 lbs ground beef" and your scale shows ounces, you need 24 oz (1.5 × 16).

Features & Use Cases

Instant Conversion

Enter pounds and see ounces immediately. Swap direction for oz→lb conversion. Handles decimals automatically.

Common Use Cases

Recipe Scaling

When halving or doubling recipes, ounces help avoid awkward decimals. Instead of "0.75 lb flour," work with "12 oz flour."

Portion Control

Restaurants and cafeterias specify portions in ounces for consistency. Convert pound weights to ounces for exact servings.

Shipping Precision

Shipping costs sometimes vary by the ounce. Convert pound weights to ounces to calculate exact postage or determine rate tiers.

Meat and Produce

Butchers and produce counters work in both units. When a recipe says "2 lbs beef," know that's 32 oz for your order.

Baby Tracking

Pediatricians track infant weight gain in ounces for precision. Convert pound readings to ounces for accurate records.

Reference Table

Common pound values from 0.25 to 5 lbs with their ounce equivalents.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many ounces in a pound?

Exactly 16 ounces = 1 pound. This is a precise definition.

How do I convert 3.5 pounds to ounces?

Multiply by 16: 3.5 × 16 = 56 ounces.

Why do recipes use ounces instead of pounds?

Ounces provide more precision without decimals. "6 oz" is clearer than "0.375 lb" for measuring ingredients.

What's 1.5 pounds in ounces?

1.5 × 16 = 24 ounces. This is a common package size for many products.

Should I weigh ingredients in ounces or pounds?

For cooking, ounces give better precision. For larger quantities (5+ lbs), pounds are more practical. Use what your scale displays.

How many ounces in a half pound?

Half a pound equals 8 ounces. Quarter pound = 4 oz, three-quarter pound = 12 oz.

Pounds to Ounces