How to Convert Kilograms to Stone: Your Handy UK Weight Guide

Whether you’re tracking your fitness journey, checking your weight at the GP, or trying to understand your friend’s weight loss milestone, converting kilograms to stone is a skill worth having. In the UK, despite official use of metric units, people still widely refer to weight in stones and pounds—it’s familiar, comfortable, and easy to relate to.

This article will guide you through everything you need to know about converting kilograms to stone—from the formula and mental shortcuts to practical examples and cultural context. Let’s dive into this classic British measurement quirk.

Why Does the UK Still Use Stones?

You might wonder, in a world where the metric system rules, why Brits are still quoting weight in stones. The answer lies in tradition. Stone measurement dates back centuries in Britain. Although kilograms are now the official standard (especially in medical and scientific contexts), stones have held strong in everyday conversations.

Just watch a UK reality show or chat with a neighbour about their weight goals—“I’m down to 12 stone!” feels much more natural to many than “76 kilograms.” This mix of old and new units is part of the UK’s unique charm.

How to Convert Kilograms to Stone

Let’s get into the numbers. The conversion formula is simple:

👉 1 kilogram = 0.15747 stone

So to convert your weight from kg to stone:

Weight in kg × 0.15747 = Weight in stone

Real-Life Example:

Suppose you weigh 75 kilograms:

75 × 0.15747 = 11.81 stone

That’s roughly 11 stone and 11 pounds. (Remember, 1 stone = 14 pounds.)

Conversion Table: Kilograms to Stones and Pounds

To make things even easier, here’s a handy conversion table for common weights:

Kilograms	Stones	Pounds
50 kg	7 st	12 lbs
60 kg	9 st	6 lbs
70 kg	11 st	0 lbs
75 kg	11 st	11 lbs
80 kg	12 st	8 lbs
90 kg	14 st	2 lbs
100 kg	15 st	10 lbs

If you want more precise results, use an online converter or a calculator. But for casual use, the table above gives a pretty accurate picture.

How to Convert Stone Back to Kilograms

It’s just as useful to go the other way, especially when forms or apps ask for your weight in kilograms.

👉 1 stone = 6.35029 kilograms

Example:

If you’re 11 stone:

11 × 6.35029 = 69.85 kg

Simple and efficient.

Why Conversion Knowledge Matters

You might think this is just a maths exercise, but being able to convert weight between kg and stone is genuinely practical in everyday UK life. Here’s when it helps:

• At the Doctor’s Surgery:

You’ll probably hear your weight in kg, but think in stone.

• Fitness and Gym Goals:

Fitness trackers and gym equipment often use kg, while diet plans may reference stone.

• Travel and Medical Forms:

When booking flights or completing international forms, you’ll usually need to enter your weight in kilograms.

• Social Situations:

From Slimming World weigh-ins to watercooler chat, weight in stone is easier to follow for many.

Mental Maths Shortcuts

If you don’t have a calculator handy, here’s a quick way to estimate:

• Multiply your weight in kg by 0.16. It’s a rough estimate, but close enough for casual use.
• For a more exact result, round off to one decimal place using the full 0.15747 factor.

Why It Feels Better to Say ‘Stone’ in the UK

There’s a cultural nuance too. People often feel more comfortable expressing weight in stone because it sounds lighter or more manageable. Saying “10 stone” doesn’t have the same impact as “63.5 kg” – even though they’re the same.

Stone values also break down neatly into numbers people understand easily. Many set goals like “get under 12 stone” or “lose a stone before summer.” It’s part of the everyday language of health.

A Bit of History: Where Did ‘Stone’ Come From?

The term “stone” dates back to ancient trade systems. Originally used as a standardised weight for goods, especially wool, one ‘stone’ eventually became standardised at 14 pounds in Britain.

Even though the UK has officially adopted the metric system for most measurements, the stone has remained popular due to its deep cultural roots.

UK-Specific Weight Habits Compared to Other Countries

In places like the US, pounds are standard. In most of Europe, kilograms rule. But the UK is uniquely hybrid. We drink pints, drive in miles, measure temperature in Celsius, and weigh ourselves in stones. It might sound inconsistent, but it works for us.

Interestingly, in British media—like this government health article, you’ll often see both kg and stone used side by side, especially in BMI charts.

Where Else Do You See Stones Today?

• Television: Whether it’s a cooking show host talking about weight loss or a Love Island contestant’s transformation, stone is often the go-to unit.
• High street pharmacy scales: Boots or Superdrug scales print out your weight in both kg and stone.
• Fitness forums: From Reddit to Mumsnet, UK users usually refer to weight in stone.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the conversion between kilograms and stone isn’t just a numbers game—it helps bridge the gap between modern and traditional ways of thinking about body weight in the UK. Whether you’re keeping tabs on your health, chatting with friends, or navigating a fitness plan, knowing both units will make life simpler.

And with Britain’s unique mix of imperial and metric, it pays to be fluent in both. It’s just another way we blend the old with the new.

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FAQs: Kilograms to Stone – What You Need to Know

1. How many kilograms are in one stone?
There are about 6.35 kilograms in a stone.

2. How do I convert my weight from kg to stone?
Multiply your weight in kg by 0.15747 to get the equivalent in stone.

3. Why does the UK use stones instead of kg?
It’s a traditional unit that’s still commonly used in everyday conversation despite the metric system being official.

4. What’s 75 kg in stone?
It’s around 11 stone 11 pounds.

5. Can I use stones for my BMI calculation?
Yes, though most BMI calculators work in kg, many allow you to input stone and pounds too.