The conversions
- 1 kilogram = 2.2046 pounds (1 lb is exactly 0.45359237 kg).
- 1 stone = 14 pounds = 6.35 kg.
| kg | lb | stone |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 15.4 | 1 st 1.4 lb |
| 10 | 22.0 | 1 st 8.0 lb |
| 15 | 33.1 | 2 st 5.1 lb |
| 20 | 44.1 | 3 st 2.1 lb |
| 23 | 50.7 | 3 st 8.7 lb |
| 30 | 66.1 | 4 st 10.1 lb |
| 32 | 70.5 | 5 st 0.5 lb |
Check your allowance on your ticket
Allowances depend on the airline, the route, the fare and your loyalty status – there is no single number. Your booking confirmation or the airline’s website says how many bags you can check in and how heavy each may be, plus the size and weight limit for cabin bags. Enter that allowance here; we do not guess it for you.
Many airlines also have a single-bag maximum (often for the safety of baggage handlers) that applies even if you pay for extra weight, so splitting weight between two bags can be cheaper than one heavy bag.
Worked example
Your ticket allows two bags of 23 kg each. Your bags weigh 21.5 kg and 24.2 kg. The first is fine with 1.5 kg spare; the second is 1.2 kg over – move a few things across and both pass.
Weighing tips
- A hand-held luggage scale is the most accurate way at home.
- Or weigh yourself with and without the bag on bathroom scales and take the difference.
- Leave a little spare – scales differ, and you may buy gifts while away.
Cabin bags
Cabin bag rules are usually stricter about size than weight, and low-cost airlines often allow only a small under-seat bag unless you pay extra. Weight limits for cabin bags commonly range from about 7 kg to 10 kg, but the right number is the one on your booking – measure and weigh your bag at home, including the handles and wheels.
Why kilograms and pounds both appear
Most airlines in the UK, Europe, the Gulf and Asia state allowances in kilograms, while US airlines often use pounds (for example 50 lb for a checked bag). Bathroom scales in the UK often show stone and pounds. The converter lets you move between all three so you can compare a US allowance with a scale reading in stone.