US to European Unit Converter
Instantly convert between American and European measurement systems. Free, accurate, and easy to use for everyday conversions.
Whether you're traveling, shopping online, following recipes, or just need quick conversions, this comprehensive tool handles weight, temperature, distance, volume, speed, and more.
Interactive US ↔ EU Converter
Quick Reference
On This Page
Quick Reference Tables
Weight Conversion
| Pounds (lbs) | Kilograms (kg) | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.45 | Small item |
| 10 | 4.5 | Bowling ball |
| 50 | 22.7 | Luggage limit |
| 100 | 45.4 | Small adult |
| 150 | 68.0 | Average adult |
| 200 | 90.7 | Large adult |
Temperature Conversion
| Fahrenheit (°F) | Celsius (°C) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | -18 | Very cold |
| 32 | 0 | Freezing |
| 50 | 10 | Cool |
| 68 | 20 | Room temp |
| 86 | 30 | Hot day |
| 98.6 | 37 | Body temp |
| 212 | 100 | Boiling water |
Speed Conversion
| MPH | KM/H | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | 24 | School zone |
| 25 | 40 | Residential |
| 35 | 56 | City streets |
| 55 | 89 | Highway |
| 65 | 105 | Interstate |
| 70 | 113 | Highway limit |
Height Conversion
| Feet & Inches | Centimeters | Meters |
|---|---|---|
| 5'0" | 152 | 1.52 |
| 5'3" | 160 | 1.60 |
| 5'6" | 168 | 1.68 |
| 5'9" | 175 | 1.75 |
| 6'0" | 183 | 1.83 |
| 6'3" | 191 | 1.91 |
🌍 For Travelers to Europe
Understanding Road Signs
- •Speed limits are in km/h (not mph)
- •Highway speeds typically 120-130 km/h (75-80 mph)
- •Urban areas usually 50 km/h (30 mph)
- •Distances on signs are in kilometers
Weather & Temperature
- •All temperatures shown in Celsius
- •20-25°C is comfortable (68-77°F)
- •Below 0°C means freezing (32°F)
- •30°C+ is hot (86°F+)
Fuel & Driving
- •Fuel priced per liter (not gallon)
- •1 gallon = 3.78 liters
- •Fuel economy in L/100km (lower is better)
- •Example: 30 MPG ≈ 7.8 L/100km
Luggage Weight
- •Airlines show limits in kg
- •23 kg = 50 lbs (typical checked bag)
- •10 kg = 22 lbs (typical carry-on)
- •Weigh bags at home before travel
Pro Tip: Download an offline conversion app or take screenshots of the tables above before traveling. Internet may not always be available when you need to quickly convert road signs or weather forecasts.
🛍️ For Online Shopping
Clothing Sizes
Women's Clothing
Men's Clothing
Shoe Sizes
Women's Shoes
Men's Shoes
Product Dimensions
- •Dimensions shown in cm or mm (not inches)
- •1 inch = 2.54 cm (quick reference)
- •Phone screens: 6.1" = 15.5 cm
- •Always check actual measurements, not just product names
Package Weight
- •Shipping weights in kg or grams
- •1 kg = 2.2 lbs
- •500g = 1.1 lbs (about 1 pound)
- •Check customs limits for international orders
Shopping Tip: Sizes vary significantly between brands and countries. Always consult the specific brand's size chart and read customer reviews about sizing. When in doubt, order two sizes and return the one that doesn't fit.
🍳 For Cooking & Baking
Volume Conversions
Common Ingredient Weights
Oven Temperatures
Baking Tips
- •Use a kitchen scale for baking accuracy
- •Spoon flour into cups, don't pack it
- •Level off with a straight edge
- •Oven temps may need ±10°C adjustment
- •European recipes often use weight
- •Test recipes in small batches first
Baking Note: European recipes specify butter by weight (grams), not sticks. US butter sticks have markings for tablespoons, but European butter doesn't. A kitchen scale eliminates guesswork and improves consistency.
Specialized Converters
Clothing & Shoe Sizes
Complete sizing charts for clothing, shoes, and accessories. Includes US, UK, and EU conversions with brand-specific notes.
Cooking Measurements
Interactive tool for cups to ml, ounces to grams, and oven temperatures. Includes ingredient-specific conversions.
Body Measurements
Convert weight (lbs to kg), height (feet to cm), and calculate BMI using both imperial and metric units.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert US pounds to European kilograms?
To convert pounds to kilograms, multiply by 0.453592. For example, 150 lbs × 0.453592 = 68 kg. For a quick mental estimate, divide pounds by 2 and subtract 10%. Use our interactive converter above for precise conversions.
What is the formula for Fahrenheit to Celsius conversion?
The formula is: °C = (°F - 32) × 5/9. For example, 68°F converts to (68-32) × 5/9 = 20°C. Common temperatures: 32°F = 0°C (freezing), 68°F = 20°C (room temp), 98.6°F = 37°C (body temp), 212°F = 100°C (boiling).
How many kilometers are in a mile?
One mile equals 1.60934 kilometers. For quick mental math, multiply miles by 1.6 or multiply km by 0.6 to get approximate miles. Common conversions: 10 miles = 16 km, 50 miles = 80 km, 100 miles = 160 km.
What size is US 8 in EU shoe sizes?
For women's shoes, US size 8 is approximately EU size 38.5-39. For men's shoes, US size 8 is approximately EU size 41. Shoe sizing can vary by brand, so always check the manufacturer's specific size chart when possible.
How do I convert US jeans sizes to European sizes?
US jeans waist sizes in inches convert to EU sizes: US 28" = EU 44, US 30" = EU 46, US 32" = EU 48, US 34" = EU 50, US 36" = EU 52. The conversion is approximately: EU size = (US waist size × 2) - 8.
How many milliliters are in a US cup?
One US cup equals 236.588 milliliters (often rounded to 240 ml for cooking). Common conversions: 1/4 cup = 60 ml, 1/2 cup = 120 ml, 1 cup = 240 ml, 2 cups = 480 ml. Note that 1 fluid ounce = 30 ml and 1 tablespoon = 15 ml.
Why do US and European measurements differ?
The US primarily uses the Imperial/US Customary system inherited from Britain, while Europe uses the Metric system. The metric system was developed in France in the 1790s for standardization and simplicity. Today, only the US, Liberia, and Myanmar have not officially adopted the metric system.
What's the easiest way to remember common conversions?
Key memory aids: For weight, think "half and a bit less" (100 lbs ≈ 45 kg). For temperature, remember 0°C = 32°F and 20°C = 68°F. For distance, multiply miles by 1.6 (or roughly 3/5 backwards). For cooking, 1 cup ≈ 240ml. Practice with common values builds intuition.
Do I need different conversions for UK vs EU measurements?
For metric measurements (kg, meters, liters, Celsius), UK and EU use the same system. However, clothing and shoe sizes differ between UK and EU. The UK also sometimes uses imperial measurements (miles, pints, stones) not used in mainland Europe. Our converter handles all these variations.
How accurate do my conversions need to be?
It depends on context. For cooking, small variations usually don't matter. For medical purposes (body weight, medication), be precise. For travel (speed limits, distances), rounded values work fine. For online shopping (clothing), use exact conversions as sizes vary by manufacturer. Always use precise conversions for legal or official documents.
Why US and European Units Differ
The United States primarily uses the Imperial system (also called US Customary units), inherited from the British Empire, while most of Europe and the world uses the metric system. This difference affects everyday life in shopping, cooking, travel, and more.
Why Metric is Widespread
- ✓Based on units of 10 (easy math)
- ✓Consistent prefixes (kilo, centi, milli)
- ✓Used by 194 of 195 countries
- ✓Standard in science and medicine
Why US Uses Imperial
- •Historical: inherited from Britain
- •Infrastructure already built on imperial
- •High cost to convert industries
- •Cultural familiarity and resistance
When You Need Conversions
- →Travel: Understanding speed limits, distances, weather, and fuel
- →Shopping: Clothing sizes, product dimensions, and package weights
- →Cooking: Following international recipes with different measurements
- →Health: Body weight, height, and medical information
- →Real Estate: Property sizes in square feet vs square meters
- →Sports & Fitness: Running distances, swimming pools, gym weights