Convert Pound to Poundal
Convert pounds to poundals instantly. 1 pound = 32.1999999205 poundal — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Poundal to Pound converter for the reverse conversion.
Units explained
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
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 to Poundal conversion formula
The relationship between pounds and poundals:
To convert pounds to poundals, multiply the value in pounds by 32.1999999205. To reverse, multiply poundals by 0.0310559007.
How to use this converter
Type a value into the calculator. The result in poundals updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Poundal to Pound converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert pounds to poundals
- Write down the value in pounds (lb).
- Multiply that value by the factor 32.1999999205.
- The product is the equivalent value in poundals (pdl).
- To reverse, multiply the poundal value by 0.0310559007.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 lb to pdl:
1 × 32.1999999205 = 32.1999999205 pdl
Example 2 — Convert 100 lb to pdl:
100 × 32.1999999205 = 3219.9999920492 pdl
Real-world example — Body height conversion (reverse direction)
You measure 1.75 pounds tall and need to fill in a gym membership form or medical record that asks for height in poundals. This is the most-used everyday length conversion in metric-using countries.
1.75 lb × 32.1999999205 = 56.3499998609 pdl
Real-world example — Pet and accessory dimensions
A 3-pound dog leash equals a tidy round value in poundals. Pet-supply shopping frequently mixes the two units across product specifications.
3 lb × 32.1999999205 = 96.5999997615 pdl
Real-world example — Fabric and tailoring
One pound of fabric converts to a value in poundals commonly used for seam allowances. Garment patterns frequently switch between the two units on a single instruction sheet.
1 lb × 32.1999999205 = 32.1999999205 pdl
Pound to Poundal conversion table
Standard reference values for converting pounds to poundals:
| Pound [lb] | Poundal [pdl] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 0.3219999992 |
| 0.1 | 3.219999992 |
| 1 | 32.1999999205 |
| 2 | 64.399999841 |
| 3 | 96.5999997615 |
| 4 | 128.799999682 |
| 5 | 160.9999996025 |
| 10 | 321.9999992049 |
| 20 | 643.9999984098 |
| 30 | 965.9999976148 |
| 40 | 1287.9999968197 |
| 50 | 1609.9999960246 |
| 100 | 3219.9999920492 |
| 500 | 16099.9999602462 |
| 1000 | 32199.9999204925 |
Frequently asked questions
How many poundals is 1 pound?
How do I convert pounds to poundals?
How do I convert poundals back to pounds?
How many poundals is 100 pounds?
Popular weight unit conversions
Convert Pound to other weight units
Show all Pound conversions
Metric / SI (18 units)
Avoirdupois (14 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 lb = 32.1999999205 pdl) 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.