1 slug is equal to approximately 14.5939 kilograms.
The slug is a unit of mass used primarily in the imperial system, mostly in the United States, while the kilogram is the SI unit of mass. To convert from slug to kilograms, a multiplication by the conversion factor 14.5939 is needed because 1 slug is defined as the mass that is accelerated by 1 ft/s² when a force of one pound-force (lbf) is exerted on it.
Conversion Tool
Result in kg:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert slugs to kilograms is:
kilograms = slugs × 14.5939
Why this works, is because the slug was defined such that 1 slug = 32.174 pounds-force seconds squared per foot (lb·s²/ft), and since 1 pound mass equals 0.45359237 kg, the full conversion factor comes out to approximately 14.5939.
Step-by-step calculation for 1 slug:
- Start with 1 slug.
- Multiply by 14.5939 to convert to kg.
- 1 slug × 14.5939 = 14.5939 kg.
Conversion Example
- Convert 3 slugs to kg:
- Take 3 slug value.
- Multiply 3 by 14.5939.
- 3 × 14.5939 = 43.7817 kg.
- Convert 5.5 slugs to kg:
- Start with 5.5 slugs.
- Multiply 5.5 by 14.5939.
- 5.5 × 14.5939 = 80.2665 kg.
- Convert 0.25 slug to kg:
- Use 0.25 slug.
- Multiply 0.25 by 14.5939.
- 0.25 × 14.5939 = 3.6485 kg.
- Convert 10 slugs to kg:
- Use 10 slug.
- Multiply 10 by 14.5939.
- 10 × 14.5939 = 145.939 kg.
Conversion Chart
| Slug | Kilograms (kg) |
|---|---|
| -24.0 | -350.2536 |
| -20.0 | -291.8780 |
| -16.0 | -233.5024 |
| -12.0 | -175.1268 |
| -8.0 | -116.7512 |
| -4.0 | -58.3756 |
| 0.0 | 0.0000 |
| 2.0 | 29.1878 |
| 4.0 | 58.3756 |
| 6.0 | 87.5634 |
| 8.0 | 116.7512 |
| 10.0 | 145.9390 |
| 12.0 | 175.1268 |
| 14.0 | 204.3146 |
| 16.0 | 233.5024 |
| 18.0 | 262.6902 |
| 20.0 | 291.8780 |
| 22.0 | 321.0658 |
| 24.0 | 350.2536 |
| 26.0 | 379.4414 |
To use the chart, find the slug value in the left column, then move right to see its equivalent weight in kilograms. Negative values represent mass in the opposite direction or for theoretical calculations involving negative mass.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many kilograms does 1 slug weigh exactly?
- What is the formula to convert 1 slug into kilograms?
- Is 1 slug heavier or lighter than 1 kilogram?
- How do you convert 1 slug to kg using a calculator?
- What is the mass of 1 slug in kilograms and grams?
- Can 1 slug be expressed in kilograms with decimals?
- Why does 1 slug equal about 14.6 kilograms?
Conversion Definitions
Slug: A slug is a unit of mass used in the imperial system, mainly in the US. It represents the mass that will accelerate by 1 foot per second squared when a force of one pound-force is applied. It equals about 14.5939 kilograms.
Kilogram (kg): The kilogram is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined by the fixed numerical value of the Planck constant and is widely used across science, engineering, and daily life to measure mass.
Conversion FAQs
Can slugs be negative when converting to kilograms?
Negative slugs represent theoretical or directional values, not physical negative mass. When converted, they produce negative kilograms, which can be useful in physics calculations involving vectors or reference points but don’t correspond to actual negative mass.
Why is the conversion factor 14.5939 used between slugs and kilograms?
The factor 14.5939 comes from the relationship between pounds, feet, and seconds in the imperial system and the kilogram in the metric system. It reflects how mass in slugs relates to mass in kilograms through the acceleration due to gravity and force units.
Is the slug unit still relevant today?
While the slug is rarely used outside the United States and mostly in specialized engineering contexts, it remains part of the imperial system legacy. Modern science and most engineering fields prefer kilograms due to SI unit standardization.
How precise is the conversion from slugs to kilograms?
The conversion factor is precise to at least four decimal places, providing accuracy good enough for most engineering and scientific applications. Minor variations can arise from rounding but are negligible in practical use.
Can I convert slugs to other units from kilograms?
Yes, once you convert slugs to kilograms, you can convert kilograms to any other mass units like grams, pounds, or metric tons using standard conversion factors without losing accuracy.
