Convert Poundal to Pound
Convert poundals to pounds instantly. 1 poundal = 0.0310559007 pound — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Pound to Poundal converter for the reverse conversion.
Units explained
Poundal
The poundal (pdl) is the FPS absolute unit of force; its mass-equivalent on this scale is about 0.0141 kg.
Defined in the foot-pound-second absolute system in the late 19th century.
Early 20th-century physics and engineering.
Introduced in the absolute FPS system as an alternative to gravitational units.
Pound
The pound (lb) is a unit of mass equal to exactly 0.45359237 kilogram.
From Latin 'libra pondo' (a pound by weight); the symbol lb comes from 'libra'.
The primary weight unit in the United States and informally in the UK.
The international avoirdupois pound was fixed in the 1959 yard-and-pound agreement.
Poundal to Pound conversion formula
The relationship between poundals and pounds:
To convert poundals to pounds, multiply the value in poundals by 0.0310559007. To reverse, multiply pounds by 32.1999999205.
How to use this converter
Type a value into the calculator. The result in pounds updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Pound to Poundal converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert poundals to pounds
- Write down the value in poundals (pdl).
- Multiply that value by the factor 0.0310559007.
- The product is the equivalent value in pounds (lb).
- To reverse, multiply the pound value by 32.1999999205.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 pdl to lb:
1 × 0.0310559007 = 0.0310559007 lb
Example 2 — Convert 100 pdl to lb:
100 × 0.0310559007 = 3.1055900698 lb
Real-world example — Body height conversion
You enter your height as 180 poundals into an international job or visa application. The form then asks for the same value in pounds — converting between these adjacent units is one of the most-used length conversions globally.
180 pdl × 0.0310559007 = 5.5900621256 lb
Real-world example — Furniture and large objects
A 72-poundal piece of furniture converts to a value in pounds that's easier to mentally compare with room dimensions. This is the typical workflow when shopping internationally and product specs use a different unit than your room measurements.
72 pdl × 0.0310559007 = 2.2360248502 lb
Real-world example — Children's height milestones
A 150-poundal-tall child measures a value in pounds that's commonly used for theme-park ride height requirements when travelling between countries that use different measurement units.
150 pdl × 0.0310559007 = 4.6583851047 lb
Poundal to Pound conversion table
Standard reference values for converting poundals to pounds:
| Poundal [pdl] | Pound [lb] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 0.000310559 |
| 0.1 | 0.0031055901 |
| 1 | 0.0310559007 |
| 2 | 0.0621118014 |
| 3 | 0.0931677021 |
| 4 | 0.1242236028 |
| 5 | 0.1552795035 |
| 10 | 0.310559007 |
| 20 | 0.621118014 |
| 30 | 0.9316770209 |
| 40 | 1.2422360279 |
| 50 | 1.5527950349 |
| 100 | 3.1055900698 |
| 500 | 15.5279503489 |
| 1000 | 31.0559006978 |
Frequently asked questions
How many pounds is 1 poundal?
How do I convert poundals to pounds?
How do I convert pounds back to poundals?
How many pounds is 100 poundals?
Popular weight unit conversions
Convert Poundal to other weight units
Show all Poundal conversions
Metric / SI (18 units)
Avoirdupois (15 units)
Troy & Apothecary (10 units)
Indian / South Asian (6 units)
Scientific / Atomic (9 units)
Astronomical (4 units)
Biblical / Ancient (14 units)
Sources & references
Conversion factor (1 pdl = 0.0310559007 lb) verified against the following authoritative sources:
- BIPM — The International System of Units (SI Brochure 9th ed.)
Official BIPM publication defining the seven SI base units (including the meter) and the rules for their use. The global authority on units of measurement.
- NIST — Guide to the SI
US National Institute of Standards and Technology reference covering the SI base and derived units with definitions and usage rules for US technical practice.
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units
Detailed NIST guide covering exact conversion factors between SI and US customary units along with formatting and rounding conventions.
- NIST — Refinement of values for the yard and pound (Federal Register 1959)
The treaty (signed by US
- International Hydrographic Organization — Resolution on the Nautical Mile
International authority that standardised the nautical mile at exactly 1852 m in 1929 — the value adopted worldwide for sea and air navigation.