How this calculator works
A price per weight divides the total price by the weight in a chosen unit. This page works in pounds because grocery and bulk prices are often quoted that way, then converts the same rate to ounces and kilograms so it can be compared with metric shelf labels. Sixteen ounces make one pound and one pound is exactly 0.45359237 kilograms, so the per-ounce rate is the per-pound rate divided by 16 and the per-kilogram rate is larger than the per-pound rate. The package table applies the rate to common sizes. The comparison covers the product only; bones, packaging, trim and waste can make two packages worth different amounts of usable food at the same rate.
Formula
price per pound = total price / weight in pounds. total price = price per pound x weight in pounds. weight in pounds = total price / price per pound. price per ounce = price per pound / 16. price per kilogram = price per pound / 0.45359237.
Worked example
A $12 package weighing 5 pounds is $2.40 per pound, $0.15 per ounce or about $5.2911 per kilogram. At $2.00 per pound, a 3-pound package costs $6.00, and the same $12 buys 6 pounds.
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Frequently asked questions
Why show three different rates?
Labels and recipes use different units. A Canadian shelf label is often per 100 grams or per kilogram, a US recipe may use ounces, and a butcher may quote per pound. Showing all three removes the need to convert by hand.
Should I compare boneless and bone-in meat by price per pound?
Only with care. Bones, fat and trim add weight that you do not eat, so the price per edible pound is higher than the sticker rate. Estimate the usable share or compare the same cut and style.
Does a larger package always have a lower rate?
No. Promotions and package redesigns can make a small pack cheaper per pound. Check the unit price on the shelf label and compare like with like, including the same brand and grade.
Is a pound the same everywhere?
The international avoirdupois pound is exactly 0.45359237 kilograms and is the pound used in Canada and the United States. Historical or local pounds can differ, but modern trade uses the international definition.