Why Do Americans Use Pounds Instead of Kilograms?
It’s a question that baffles many travelers and scientists alike. Why does one of the most scientifically advanced nations on Earth stick to an archaic system of measurement?
The British Influence
The US Customary System is based on the British Imperial System, which was used by the British Empire during the colonial era. When the US gained independence, it kept the system it was already using.
The Cost of Change
There have been attempts to "Metricate" the US. In 1975, Congress passed the Metric Conversion Act. However, it was voluntary, and there was significant public resistance. Changing every road sign, textbook, and manufacturing tool in the country would cost billions of dollars.
Daily Habit
For most Americans, pounds feel "right."
- A person weighing 150 lbs sounds normal.
- A person weighing 68 kg is harder to visualize if you grew up with pounds.
Living in a Dual World
Interestingly, the US actually uses both. Soda is sold in 2-liter bottles (metric), but milk is sold in gallons (imperial). Scientists use kg, but gyms use lbs.
If you need to bridge the gap between these two worlds, our tools are here to help.