Bars and plates

Dumbbell Weight Chart

Updated 2 Nov 2026 · Source: NIST unit conversion factors ↗

Convert any dumbbell between pounds and kilograms and see what a pair adds up to. The charts below list the common rack sizes in both units, and the last section covers bar sizes.

Worked example

50 lb × 0.4536 = 22.68 kg

Dumbbell weights in lb and kg

lb	kg	Pair (lb)
5	2.3	10
8	3.6	16
10	4.5	20
12	5.4	24
15	6.8	30
20	9.1	40
25	11.3	50
30	13.6	60
35	15.9	70
40	18.1	80
45	20.4	90
50	22.7	100
55	24.9	110
60	27.2	120
65	29.5	130
70	31.8	140
75	34.0	150
80	36.3	160
90	40.8	180
100	45.4	200

Metric dumbbells in lb

kg	lb	Pair (kg)
2	4.4	4
4	8.8	8
6	13.2	12
8	17.6	16
10	22.0	20
12.5	27.6	25
15	33.1	30
17.5	38.6	35
20	44.1	40
22.5	49.6	45
25	55.1	50
30	66.1	60
35	77.2	70
40	88.2	80

How a typical dumbbell rack is laid out

Fixed dumbbells in commercial gyms most often go up in 5 lb steps, with a common rack running from about 5 to 100 lb. At the light end you may also see in-between sizes such as 8 and 12 lb, which is why the chart includes them.

A 5 lb step is a big jump on a light lift. Going from 15 to 20 lb on a lateral raise is a third more weight, while going from 80 to 85 lb on a press is about 6% more. Expect smaller lifts to need more reps at one weight before you move up.

One dumbbell or the pair?

When people say they press the 50s, they mean one 50 lb dumbbell in each hand, 100 lb in total. The calculator shows both numbers. Log the weight of one dumbbell, since that is what is printed on it and what everyone compares.

To estimate a max from a dumbbell set, use the dumbbell bench press calculator, which works per dumbbell for the same reason.

Metric dumbbells in a US gym

Some gyms use kilogram dumbbells. The steps do not line up with pound sizes, so a quick conversion helps: multiply kg by 2.2046, or divide by 0.4536. A 20 kg dumbbell is about 44.1 lb, close to the 45s you know.

The example on this page, a 50 lb dumbbell, is about 22.7 kg. The second chart runs the other way, from common kg sizes to pounds.

Bar sizes next to the dumbbells

Bars come in fewer sizes than dumbbells, but they vary more than people expect. The men's Olympic bar is about 7.2 ft long and weighs 20 kg (44.1 lb). The women's bar is about 6.6 ft and 15 kg (33.1 lb). Older straight bars with 1 inch sleeves run about 4 to 7 ft long and about 9 to 22 lb.

Curl bars, trap bars and machine bars each have their own ranges. The barbell weight page has the full list, and the plate calculator tells you what to load once you know your bar.

When the label is worn off

Old dumbbells lose their markings. To check one, weigh yourself on a bathroom scale, then weigh yourself holding the dumbbell, and take the difference. Do the same with its partner, since a pair should match.

Dumbbell Bench Max Calculator, How Much Does an EZ Bar Weigh, Trap Bar Weight, Smith Machine Bar Weight, How Much Does a Barbell Weigh

Questions

How much is a 25 lb dumbbell in kg?

About 11.3 kg. A pair of 25s is 50 lb, or about 22.7 kg.

Is a 10 kg dumbbell the same as a 22 lb one?

Almost. 10 kg is 22.05 lb, so the two are within a small fraction of a pound.

Why do the light dumbbells jump by less than 5 lb?

Some racks add sizes like 8 and 12 lb, or 2.5 lb steps, at the light end. A 5 lb jump is a large share of a light weight, so smaller steps help.

How we calculate: every formula, with its author and year, is on our method page; data sources and their licenses are on sources.

gymnical.com gives estimates from published formulas and public data. It is not medical advice and not a training prescription. Last reviewed November 2026.