Abbreviation For “Pounds” (Weight) – Is It “lb” or “lbs”?

When referring to the weight measurement of “pounds,” you might have come across the symbols “lb” and “lbs” before. This article will explore what these symbols mean and how we can treat them as abbreviations in most cases.

What Is The Correct Abbreviation For “Pounds”?

The correct abbreviation for “pounds” is “lbs” when plural and “lb” when singular. If we’re referring to multiple “pounds” of weight, then we use “lbs.” If we’re only referring to one, then “lb” is the most suitable choice. “Pds” or anything similar is incorrect.

Abbreviation For “Pounds”

You might be wondering why we use “lbs,” considering that “pounds” begins with a “P.” Most abbreviations are easier to figure out since they follow the same spelling ideas.

“Lbs” comes from the Latin “libra pondo,” which means “pound weight.” English evolved from Latin, so it makes sense to sometimes see it appear in abbreviations and other forms.

  1. I have three lbs left to lose. Do you think you can help me with that?
  2. I’m not sure you know what ten lbs feel like. Maybe you should go to the gym.
  3. This is supposed to weigh one lb. I’m pretty sure it’s heavier than that.
  4. I’m 166 lbs, and I’ve been working very hard to try to put some more weight on.
  5. I think this is about five lbs lighter than it should be. What should we do about this?

Is “lb” or “lbs” Used The Most?

According to Google Ngram Viewer, “lb” is more common. We use this form because the singular unit of “pound” tends to appear in more situations.

lb or lbs

With that said, we can still use “lbs.” Both forms are correct, and the difference in usage between the two is very slim.

Is It “lb” Or “lb.”?

There is no reason to include a period after “lb” when it is shortened like this. Scientific publications do not require the period, which has extended to more informal contexts as well. The period adds nothing to the meaning of the abbreviation, which is why it’s skipped.

According to Google Ngram Viewer, “lb” is the most popular choice with no period. This shows that the period is unnecessary, and you should avoid using it if you want to be grammatically correct.

lb or lb.
  • Correct: It’s only 1 lb, so I think you’ll be able to manage it.
  • Incorrect: Do you have the 1 lb. weight ready to go?

Is It “lbs” Or “lbs.”?

“Lbs” follows the same rules. We use “lbs” in the plural form, but there is still no need for a period to come after it. The period does not establish a clear shortening of the word “pounds,” so it’s best to keep it out of your writing whenever you mention this unit.

According to Google Ngram Viewer, “lbs” is the most suitable choice. It’s more popular than the variation with the period, showing that you’re more likely to come across it in this way.

lbs or lbs.
  • Correct: It only weighs 8 lbs, and I think I can handle taking that to my car.
  • Incorrect: I want to lose 10 lbs. by the end of the week!

When Is It Appropriate To Use The Abbreviation For “Pounds”?

Abbreviations are usually found informally. When you want to write something out quickly, we use abbreviations like “lbs” to help us get to our point. Also, when you’re using it to describe something’s weight, “lb” becomes a unit, allowing it to be used even formally.

Formal situations allow us to use abbreviations as long as we follow the rules associated with the International System of Units. In this style, we must include a space between the number and the unit, like so:

  • 100 lb

However, the contexts where this style applies are vast. You’ll find that most scientific, academic, or other formal papers use “lb” or “lbs” as an abbreviation. It’s more similar to a unit of measurement when used in these publications.

Are “lb” and “lbs” Pronounced Differently Than “Pounds”?

“Lb” and “lbs” are always pronounced as “pounds.” We do not pronounce them as “libs” (unless we’re making a joke or being sarcastic).

There is never a reason to change the pronunciation of “lbs.” Even in slang, it’s common to hear people read “pounds” when looking at either “lb” or “lbs.”

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