kg to stones Converter
Created by: Sophia Bennett Weight Conversion Specialist
Last updated:
Reviewed by the Complete Calculators Editorial Team
Professional weight conversion calculator for converting between kilograms (kg) and stones (st). This specialized tool provides instant, accurate conversions with comprehensive educational content for UK measurements, health professionals, fitness enthusiasts, travelers, and anyone needing reliable weight conversions.
kg to stones Converter
Convert weight between kilograms (kg) and stones (st) with instant, accurate results for health, fitness, travel, and UK measurements.
Enter weight in kilograms (kg)
Enter weight in stones (st)
Weight Conversion Quick Reference
Multiply kilograms by 0.157473
Multiply stones by 6.35029
Common Conversions:
What is kg to stones Weight Conversion?
Weight conversion between kilograms (kg) and stones (st) bridges the gap between the metric system and traditional British imperial measurements. Kilograms are the standard metric unit for mass used worldwide, while stones are a traditional British unit still commonly used for measuring human body weight in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The conversion is based on the precise definition where 1 stone equals exactly 14 pounds, and 1 pound equals 0.45359237 kilograms. This relationship establishes that 1 kilogram equals 0.157473044 stones. Understanding this conversion is essential for international communication, health tracking, travel, and when working with British or Irish weight measurements.
Professional applications including healthcare, fitness, and international commerce require accurate conversions between these measurement systems. Our converter provides precise mathematical conversions while also offering the traditional stones and pounds format commonly used in everyday British weight measurements.
How kg to stones Conversion Works
Weight conversion relies on the fundamental relationship between kilograms and stones established through the imperial measurement system. The conversion factor 0.157473044 represents the exact number of stones in one kilogram, derived from the chain of conversions: 1 stone = 14 pounds, 1 pound = 0.45359237 kilograms, therefore 1 kilogram = 1 ÷ (14 × 0.45359237) stones.
Conversion Formulas
Multiply kilograms by 0.157473
Multiply stones by 6.35029
Example Calculation
Scenario: Convert 70 kilograms to stones
Solution: 70 × 0.157473 = 11.02 stones (or 11 stone 0.3 lbs)
Practical Applications
Weight conversion between kilograms and stones serves essential functions across numerous personal and professional contexts, from everyday health tracking to international commerce and medical applications.
Health and Fitness
- • Personal weight tracking and monitoring
- • Medical consultations and health records
- • Fitness goal setting and progress tracking
- • International health documentation
Travel and International Use
- • UK and Ireland travel documentation
- • International moving and relocation
- • Cross-border medical care
- • Sports competitions and requirements
Advanced Weight Conversion Concepts
Precision in Professional Applications
Professional applications require understanding the difference between approximate and exact conversions. While 0.157 stones per kg works for rough estimates, precise calculations use 0.157473044 for maximum accuracy. Medical, pharmaceutical, and scientific applications demand this level of precision for safety and compliance.
Cultural and Historical Context
The stone as a unit of measurement has deep historical roots in British culture, originally based on standardized stone weights used in markets. Understanding when to use stones versus kilograms depends on cultural context, with medical professionals typically preferring metric units while personal weight discussions often use stones in the UK.
Important Considerations
- • Medical applications typically use kilograms globally
- • Stones are primarily cultural/personal measurements in UK/Ireland
- • Precision requirements vary by application and context
- • Digital scales may show different units - conversion ensures consistency
Frequently Asked Questions
How many stones are in a kilogram?
One kilogram (kg) is equal to 0.157473 stones (st). This conversion factor is based on the definition that 1 stone equals exactly 14 pounds, and 1 pound equals 0.45359237 kilograms. For practical purposes, you can remember that 1 kg is approximately 0.157 stones.
What is the formula to convert kilograms to stones?
To convert kilograms to stones, multiply the number of kilograms by 0.157473. The formula is: stones = kg × 0.157473. To convert stones to kilograms, multiply the stones by 6.35029 (since 1 stone = 6.35029 kg).
Why do people use stones for body weight measurement?
Stones are commonly used for body weight in the United Kingdom and Ireland because they provide a convenient middle ground between pounds and kilograms. Using stones makes weight measurements more manageable numbers - for example, saying '10 stone 5 pounds' instead of '145 pounds' or '65.8 kilograms'.
Which countries use stones for weight measurement?
Stones are primarily used in the United Kingdom and Ireland for measuring human body weight. While the UK officially uses the metric system, stones remain popular for personal weight measurements. Most other countries use either kilograms (metric system) or pounds (imperial system).
How do I read weight in stones and pounds format?
Weight in stones is often expressed as 'X stone Y pounds' (e.g., '12 stone 7 pounds'). Since 1 stone = 14 pounds, any remainder when dividing total pounds by 14 becomes the additional pounds. Our converter shows both the total stones and the stones plus pounds format.
Is the kg to stones conversion accurate for medical use?
Yes, our converter uses the exact conversion factor (0.157473044) for medical-grade accuracy. However, for medical applications, most healthcare systems globally use kilograms as the standard unit. Always confirm which unit your healthcare provider prefers for medical records and dosing calculations.
How do I convert my weight from kg to stones and pounds?
First convert kg to total pounds (kg × 2.20462), then divide by 14 to get stones with the remainder in pounds. For example, 70 kg = 154.3 lbs = 11 stone 0.3 lbs. Our converter automatically provides both formats for convenience.
What's the difference between metric and imperial weight systems?
The metric system uses kilograms and grams with base-10 calculations, making it scientifically precise and easy to calculate. The imperial system uses stones, pounds, and ounces with varying conversion factors (14 lbs = 1 stone, 16 oz = 1 lb), which can be less intuitive but remains culturally significant in certain regions.
Sources and References
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), "International System of Units (SI)", Special Publication 330, 2019 Edition
- International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), "The International System of Units (SI)", 9th Edition, 2019
- UK Parliament, "Weights and Measures Act 1985", Chapter 72, Her Majesty's Stationery Office
- British Standards Institution (BSI), "BS 350: Conversion factors and tables", Parts 1-2, 2004 Edition
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO), "ISO 80000-3:2019 Quantities and units — Part 3: Space and time"
- Office for National Statistics (UK), "UK Standard for Statistical Metadata", Weight and Measurement Standards, 2020
- European Committee for Standardization (CEN), "EN 1991-1-1:2002 Eurocode 1: Actions on structures", Weight measurement standards
- World Health Organization (WHO), "Physical Status: The Use and Interpretation of Anthropometry", Technical Report Series 854