If you’re in a part of the world that measures weight in ounces and pounds, then you’ll probably have a difficult time figuring out what 15 kilograms is. There’s a simple formula for that—1 kilogram is the same as 2.20462 pounds. So, 15 kilograms is equal to 33.0693 pounds! Something we Standard Imperial users have in common with metric users is not knowing what 15 kilograms feels like.
Here is a list of common objects that weigh approximately or precisely 15 kilograms:
- 15 liters of water
- 9 bowling pins
- 1/3 bag of cement
- Cinder block
- 1-1/2 pumpkins
- Mini fridge
- ½ a hydraulic car jack
- Kayak
- 2 ironing boards
1. 15 Liters of Water
Water, the source of life, has a pretty memorable weight if you use the metric system. A single milliliter of water, which is about 0.033814 fluid ounces, is precisely 1 gram. And since 1,000 grams equals 1 kilogram, that means 15 liters of water (15,000 milliliters) would get you precisely 15 kilograms.
The only question is, how will you carry 15 liters of water at once? Simple, hold onto 15 1-liter bottles of water! The weight of the bottle and bottle cap is pretty negligible in the grand scheme of things.
2. 9 Bowling Pins
Bowling is a sport that makes the average person wonder, “Why is bowling a sport?” To be frank, it’s a fun activity you can do with family and friends, but for the more serious bowlers, you might want to think about joining an amateur league. Hopefully, if you knock down enough pins, they might just pick you up to join the big league!
Speaking of bowling pins, a single pin used in tenpin bowling weighs anywhere from 1.53 and 1.64 kilograms. So, if you knocked down 9 pins but have 1 left standing, you’d have knocked down roughly 15 kilograms worth of wood or a composite of synthetic materials.
3. 1/3 Bag of Cement
Cement is the binding agent used to make concrete. It’s mixed with water, sand, and rock to bind masonry together or to lay down pavement. Cement itself is made of limestone and clay that have been heated and ground to a find powder, typically measuring 0.007 to 0.2 millimeters. So, be careful when pouring this fine powder!
You can purchase cement bags in all sorts of sizes, with the most common being 94 pounds or 42.6377 kilograms. If you pour out 2/3 of the bag, the remaining cement will weigh pretty close to 15 kilograms.
4. Cinder Block
If you’re working with cement and concrete, there’s probably a good chance that you’re also working with cinder blocks. These blocks consist of a mixture of concrete and coal cinders, which are formed into 8 × 8 × 16-inch cuboids with 2 rectangular holes in the middle. These blocks are pretty heavy-duty and are commonly used in large construction sites.
A single 8 × 8 × 16-inch cinder block weighs about 28 pounds. However, the precise weight may vary between manufacturers, with heavier blocks weighing closer to 38 pounds. These figures are close to the 33-pound mark, which should get you within the ballpark of 15 kilograms.
5. 1-1/2 Large Pumpkins
The autumn and winter seasons are when pumpkins and pumpkin-related products fill grocery stores. These fruits (yes, pumpkins are a fruit) are bulbous in shape, have a deep shade of orange, and come in a wide range of sizes. In fact, the largest every grown originated in Minnesota and weighed upwards of 2,700 pounds!
But in regular-size pumpkin terms, we’re looking at around 10 to 20 pounds. So, 1-1/2 pumpkins on the heavier end of the weight spectrum will get you close to the 15-kilogram mark.
6. Mini Fridge
If you’re a college student, then you know about the importance of a mini fridge. These appliances provide all the cooling capabilities of a full-sized fridge but without taking as much floor or vertical space. Mini fridges are essential if you’re hitting the books and need to keep a pack of Monster Energy drinks chilled thoroughly.
While mini fridges are mini, the mini-ness varies between models. Some can be as light as 4 pounds, while others are beyond 50 kilograms! Many of them, however, fall somewhere between the 10 and 18-kilogram range, which is perfect if you’d like an approximation of what 15 kilograms feels like.
7. ½ a Hydraulic Car Jack
Car jacks come in different styles. One of the more user-friendly types is the hydraulic car jack, which consists of a pump piston, cylinder, hydraulic fluid reservoir, and pump handle. While some models may be rated to lift a pickup truck, you should use jack stands to prop your car up for extended periods and never the jack alone.
Hydraulic car jacks are available in varying weight capacities. Aluminum models may weigh around 27 kilograms, so about half of that would get you somewhere near 15 kilograms. You might need to detach all removable parts to shed its weight in half!
8. Kayak
Kayaks are narrow water crafts that typically fit 1 to 2 people. They’re used for paddling through water, whether treacherous whitewater rapids or a calm lake. You can find kayaks in different types, with each type serving specific purposes. Kayaks vary in length, from short 6-foot whitewater kayaks to massive 17-foot touring kayaks.
Because kayaks are designed for different functions and comfort, they also range in weight. A lighter kayak may weigh just around 16 kilograms, while kayaks for fishing can weigh 54 kilograms or heavier.
9. 2 Ironing Boards
As its name suggests, an ironing board is a board used for ironing. To be more specific, it’s a long, narrow board with cushioning enclosed in a soft material. It also has long legs to prop it up to a comfortable height to use while standing. Ironing board sizes range from 31 to 56 inches in length.
You may never have considered using an ironing board as a weight tool, yet here we are. The weight varies between models, but they usually weigh around 17 pounds. Put 2 of them together, and you’re not far off from 15 kilograms.
