How Heavy is 5 Pounds? (With 14 Examples) +Pics

Are you curious about how heavy 5 pounds feels like?

Or do you want to know what item weighs approximately 5 pounds?

Or perhaps you want to understand the heaviness of 5 pounds in other units, especially if you come from countries that use the metric system of measurements?

Then you are in the right place.

Being familiar with weight measurements can make everyday activities more efficient and informed.

And five pounds is no exception.

Knowing how heavy it is can be valuable in many practical situations. It helps with tasks like cooking, packing, shopping, fitness, and more where a weight of 5 pounds is involved.

So, in this post, I’ll walk you through 14 ways to help you understand how heavy it is for whatever purpose you want to.

I’ve used generally everyday items to make it relatable to everyone.

Read on to find your best way to determine five pounds.

Read: 8 Common Things That Weigh 6 Pounds (Examples Inside)

14 Familiar References For 5 Pounds

Five pounds is about 2,268 grams, 80 ounces, or 2.268 kilograms.

That’s relatively light in everyday life, as most people can easily lift and carry this weight without much effort.

You can compare it to the following items to understand it better.

1. A Standard Brick

Bricks are an excellent way to understand weights, from relatively light, such as two kilograms, to heavy, such as 80 kilograms. And so we can use it to understand five pounds since it belongs to the former category.

But before using them as references, always check the standard size in your country since they vary from country to country.

In this case, we refer to the standard brick in the United States, which is usually about 4.5 pounds.

It’s not precisely five pounds heavy, but it gives you a good perspective of that weight.

2. 2 Liters of Water

You can divide water into different quantities to suit whatever weight you want to determine. And the best part is it is universally available. That is why it’s one of the most commonly used references for lightweight measurements, such as one ounce, and heavy ones, such as 100 kilograms.

Two liters of water weigh 4.4 pounds, and when you factor in the weight of the container, it goes up to approximately five pounds.

3. 2 & 1/2 Pineapples

Did you know that the largest pineapple ever recorded weighed an astonishing 18.3 lb. (8.28kg)?

But that’s too much for a pineapple, as most in farmers’ markets, grocery stores, and supermarkets weigh about two pounds.

That means if you can get pineapples around, you can compare five pounds to two and a half.

4. 5 Loaves of Bread

Five loaves of bread may evoke the Biblical story where Jesus miraculously multiplied five loaves of bread and two fish to feed a large crowd of people who had gathered to hear him speak.

But let’s not go into that.

A standard loaf of bread weighs approximately one pound in many countries, including the United States, and is a reliable way to understand lightweight measurements.

For five pounds, you can compare it to five breads, and you can’t go wrong.

5. 2 & 1/2 Quarts of Milk

A quart of milk contains 32 fluid ounces or one-fourth of a gallon.

It’s a substantial amount and is commonly used for cooking or baking when you need a significant amount of milk.

Now, imagine something twice and half as heavy to get an impression of five pounds.

6. 7 Cups of Honey

Do you have some honey at home?

The sweetener is popular in many households, used as a natural alternative to sugar in various recipes, as a topping for foods like pancakes and biscuits, and as a remedy for sore throats and allergies.

If you use it, it can be a sweet way to determine how heavy five pounds is.

A cup of honey weighs 0.74 pounds, meaning all you need are seven cups.

7. 10 Cups of Butter

Butter is another household item you can rely on to understand and determine various lightweight weights, such as two ounces and two pounds.

It’s a staple in many households and is used in many recipes and for spreading on foods like bread and pancakes. And similarly to water, you can divide it into different quantities (tablespoons, cups, etc.).

Since five pounds is relatively heavy, going with cups is the most realistic option.

A cup of butter is precisely eight ounces (approximately 0.5 pounds), meaning you need as many as ten to realize a weight of five pounds.

8. 5 Size 5 Soccer Balls

Suitable for players aged 12 and older, Size 5 soccer balls are the standard size used in adult and professional soccer matches.

They typically have a circumference of 27-28 inches (68-70 cm) and a weight of 410-450 grams, approximately one pound.

So, if you can recall the weight of the last soccer ball you held, whether playing or passing it on to a friend, five pounds is five times heavier.

9. 5 American Footballs

American football is another sport-related way to understand how heavy five pounds is. The balls weigh approximately as much as the Size 5 soccer balls, so you need only five.

American football is, alongside soccer, among the most popular sports in the United States, played even in streets, so many people are familiar with the balls.

10. A Ream of Letter-sized Papers

Letter-sized paper is the standard size for many office and personal printing needs, and it is the default paper size in many regions, including North America. All printing documents, letters, and other materials usually use this paper.

These papers come in a ream containing 500 sheets and weighing precisely five pounds.

11. 6 Standard Bowling Pins

Bowling might not be as popular as soccer or American football.

However, if you are a fan or player of bowling, bowling pins are a reliable way to determine lightweight weights, starting with three pounds.

They weigh just as much according to the governing body, United States Bowling Congress standards (USBC).

Thus, two regulation pins can give you an idea of how heavy five pounds is as they exceed the mark by only one kilogram.

12. Half a Gallon of Paint

Half a gallon of paint is typically equivalent to 64 fluid ounces or 1.89 liters. It’s a popular size for home improvement projects, like painting a small room or touch-ups around the house.

A gallon weighs approximately eleven pounds, depending on the type of paint and its specific formulation, meaning half is an excellent reference point for five pounds.

13. A Pair of Steel-toe Boots

Steel-toe boots are designed to protect the toes and feet in industrial and construction settings.

To make them up to their tasks, they typically have a reinforced steel cap in the toe area to protect against heavy objects, impacts, and compression.

And that makes them heavier than regular shoes, weighing approximately five pounds.

Read: 9 Things That Weigh About 50 Pounds (+Pics)