1 slug is equal to 32.174 pounds.
Table of Contents
The slug is a unit of mass used in the imperial system, while pounds measure weight or force. Because weight depends on gravity, converting mass in slugs to pounds involves multiplying by the standard acceleration due to gravity, which is approximately 32.174 ft/s².
Conversion Tool
Result in pounds:
Conversion Formula
The conversion from slug to pounds uses the relationship between mass and weight under Earth’s gravity. One slug is defined as the mass that accelerates by 1 ft/s² when a force of one pound-force is applied. Because pounds measure force, to get weight in pounds from mass in slugs, you multiply the slug value by the acceleration due to gravity.
Formula:
Weight (pounds) = Mass (slugs) × Acceleration due to gravity (ft/s²)
Since standard gravity is 32.174 ft/s², the formula becomes:
Weight (lb) = slug × 32.174
Example:
1 slug × 32.174 ft/s² = 32.174 pounds
Conversion Example
- Convert 5 slugs to pounds:
- Multiply 5 by 32.174.
- 5 × 32.174 = 160.87 pounds.
- Convert 3.5 slugs to pounds:
- Multiply 3.5 by 32.174.
- 3.5 × 32.174 = 112.609 pounds.
- Convert 10 slugs to pounds:
- Multiply 10 by 32.174.
- 10 × 32.174 = 321.74 pounds.
- Convert 0.25 slugs to pounds:
- Multiply 0.25 by 32.174.
- 0.25 × 32.174 = 8.0435 pounds.
Conversion Chart
| Slug | Pounds |
|---|---|
| -24.0 | -772.176 |
| -20.0 | -643.48 |
| -16.0 | -514.784 |
| -12.0 | -386.088 |
| -8.0 | -257.392 |
| -4.0 | -128.696 |
| 0.0 | 0.000 |
| 4.0 | 128.696 |
| 8.0 | 257.392 |
| 12.0 | 386.088 |
| 16.0 | 514.784 |
| 20.0 | 643.48 |
| 24.0 | 772.176 |
| 26.0 | 836.524 |
The chart shows slugs in the left column and the equivalent pounds in the right. Negative values indicate mass moving or applied in the opposite direction. You can use it to quickly find pounds without calculation by matching slug values.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many pounds does 1 slug equal on Earth?
- What is the weight in pounds of a 1 slug mass?
- Is 1 slug heavier than 1 pound or lighter?
- How to convert 1 slug to pounds using a calculator?
- Can 1 slug be directly converted to pounds without gravity?
- What formula converts 1 slug mass into pounds force?
- Why does 1 slug equal about 32 pounds instead of 1 pound?
Conversion Definitions
Slug: A slug is a unit of mass in the imperial system mostly used in the US. It is defined as the mass that accelerates by 1 foot per second squared when a force of one pound-force is applied. It connects mass with force and acceleration in physical formulas.
Pounds: Pounds, often pounds-force, measure weight or force in the imperial system. One pound-force is the force needed to accelerate a mass of one slug by 1 foot per second squared. Pounds are common for measuring body weight and objects’ weight under Earth’s gravity.
Conversion FAQs
Can the slug be converted to pounds without gravity?
No, because pounds measure force, which depends on gravity, converting slug mass to pounds requires multiplying by acceleration due to gravity. Without specifying gravity, the conversion cannot be done accurately.
Why is 1 slug equal to about 32 pounds?
This comes from Earth’s gravitational acceleration being approximately 32.174 ft/s². Since pound is a force unit, multiplying the slug mass by this acceleration gives the weight in pounds.
Do slugs measure weight or mass?
Slugs measure mass, not weight. Weight is a force caused by gravity acting on mass, so pounds measure weight while slugs measure the amount of matter.
Is the conversion factor between slug and pound constant everywhere?
No, since pounds represent weight, which changes with gravity, the conversion factor 32.174 is specific to standard Earth gravity. On other planets, this factor would be different.
Can I use the same conversion for kilograms to pounds?
No, kilograms and slugs both measure mass, but kilograms belong to the metric system. To convert kilograms to pounds, a different factor (2.20462) is used, unrelated to the slug conversion.