lbs oz
Grams
Kilograms
Pounds & Ounces

Why this calculator shows ounces correctly

Most online converters display baby weight as decimal pounds — for example, 3.4 kg becomes 7.5 lbs or 7.49 lbs. That is not a weight anyone recognises or can use. It is a fraction, not a measurement.

A baby weighing 3.4 kg is 7 pounds 8 ounces — not 7.5 pounds. There is no such thing as half a pound in how birth weights are spoken, written in a baby book, or shared with family.

This calculator always converts to whole pounds and whole ounces — because that is how families ask, remember, and share a baby's birth weight. Clinical records use grams or kilograms; this converter is for the moment a grandparent asks "but how much is that in pounds?"

Common birth weight reference

Grams Kilograms Pounds & Ounces Note
1000 g1.000 kg2 lbs 3 ozVery preterm threshold
1500 g1.500 kg3 lbs 5 ozPreterm — intensive care
2000 g2.000 kg4 lbs 7 ozPreterm — special care
2500 g2.500 kg5 lbs 8 ozLow birthweight threshold
3000 g3.000 kg6 lbs 10 ozNormal range
3175 g3.175 kg7 lbs 0 oz7 pounds exactly
3400 g3.400 kg7 lbs 8 ozAverage NZ birth weight
3500 g3.500 kg7 lbs 11 ozNormal range
4000 g4.000 kg8 lbs 13 ozLarge for gestational age threshold
4500 g4.500 kg9 lbs 15 ozMacrosomia threshold

About this tool

This calculator was built by a New Zealand midwife to solve a daily frustration: no freely available converter displayed birth weight in whole pounds and ounces — the way families actually ask for it.

New Zealand uses metric weights in clinical documentation. Pounds and ounces remain the way many families — particularly those from the United Kingdom, United States, Pacific Island communities, and older generations — understand and remember birth weight. Being able to give a clear conversion is part of good communicative care.

More midwifery calculators are in development. If you have a conversion or tool you find yourself calculating repeatedly, let us know.

Clinical use notice: This tool is provided for reference and communication purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical judgement or formal documentation systems. All clinical decisions should be made in accordance with your scope of practice, employer policies, and applicable professional standards. Values are calculated using standard conversion factors (1 lb = 453.592 g; 1 oz = 28.3495 g).