Thirty kilograms might be a common weight measurement for someone familiar with the metric system, but it can be difficult for people who are more familiar with the imperial system to judge what that weight is. Considering a few examples can put the weight in perspective.
A Dalmatian
Thirty kilograms is equal to about 66 pounds, which may seem like an arbitrary number to people more familiar with the imperial system of measurement.
However, that weight makes a little more sense when you compare it to dog sizes. For example, an adult dalmatian weighs about 65 pounds, which is just under 30 kilograms.
Female Labrador retrievers also weigh about 30 kilograms, as do small male labs.
You can also use smaller dogs to estimate 30 kilograms. An adult dachshund weighs just over 20 pounds. This means that three dachshunds would equal right around 30 kilograms.
Larger dachshunds can weigh up to 30 pounds, so you can also visualize two large dachshunds.
A Sea Otter
Otters look small and cute, but they can actually be quite large, depending on their subspecies. Sea otters generally weigh between 31 and 73 pounds, which means that one large sea otter would be right around 30 kilograms.
If the otter is smaller, or if it’s a Eurasian otter, which usually weighs around 30 pounds, you would need two to equal 30 kilograms.
Three Bags of Dog Food
If you have a small dog or a puppy, you might buy small bags of dog food. However, owners of large dogs know that it’s often best to buy dog food in bulk.
The weight of a large bag of dog food varies from company to company, but most large bags weigh about 20 pounds, so three would equal just less than 30 kilograms.
You should always purchase just enough dog food for your dog to eat within one month. Otherwise, the food can become stale.
A Full Mattress
If you’ve ever tried to move a mattress by yourself, you know that they can be heavy and unwieldy. Remembering the weight of a mattress can help you get a good feel for just how heavy 30 kilograms are.
For example, a full mattress weighs about 67 pounds, which is almost exactly 30 kilograms. A queen box spring also weighs close to 30 kilograms, although the exact weight will depend on the brand of box spring and the materials that were used to make it.
Two Mountain Bikes
Mountain bikes are designed to be lightweight but durable. A mountain bike rider might need to get off and carry their bike if they have a flat tire or if the terrain is particularly rough, but the bike’s frame needs to stand up to bumps, rocky paths, and even small jumps.
For these reasons, mountain bikes usually weigh right around 30 pounds, so you would need two to equal 30 kilograms. Exactly how much any mountain bike weighs depends on its features, what it’s made of, and what brand it is.
Two or Three Microwaves
Although they’re made to be compact so they fit neatly onto your counter or above your stove, microwaves can be surprisingly heavy.
Most home microwaves weigh between 20 and 30 pounds, so you would need three small microwaves or two larger microwaves to equal 30 kilograms.
Large microwaves, such as those used for cooking in professional kitchens or even ones that are designed for use by bigger families, can weigh 55 pounds or more.
In this case, you would only need one microwave to reach a weight that’s close to 30 kilograms.
Two Tires
A tire for an average sedan weighs about 30 pounds, so you would need two to equal 30 kilograms. The rim of the tire also weighs about 30 pounds, though, so if you can picture a car tire with a metal rim, you can picture an object that is just slightly less than 30 kilograms.
Winter tires are generally a bit more narrow than summer tires, but despite this, both winter and summer tires weigh right around the same amount. If you see a tire on a truck or SUV, it might weigh a little more than tires that are used on a sedan.
Four Bowling Balls
Bowling balls can be found in various weights. Players can choose a ball that suits them, and some bowling balls are specifically designed for kids.
Bowling balls for kids weigh around 6 pounds. This light weight makes it easier for kids to pick up the ball. However, bowling balls for adults weigh about 16 pounds on average.
You would need four large, adult-sized bowling balls to equal about 64 pounds, which is just less than 30 kilograms. It would take 11 children’s bowling balls to equal 30 kilograms.
Eight Gallons of Water
Most people have seen, picked up, or used a gallon of water, so gallons of water are an excellent way to visualize a certain weight. One gallon of water usually weighs about 8.3 pounds.
This means you would need almost exactly eight gallons of water to equal 30 kilograms.
The temperature of water can affect its weight. Warm or hot water is less dense than cold water, so warm water is lighter. However, this weight change is slight, so you can still use gallons of water to estimate weights.
Seven Gallons of Paint
Paint is much thicker than water, so it weighs more. Exactly how much the paint weighs depends on the type of paint, the brand, and the exact viscosity of the paint.
However, on average, most paint weighs about 9 pounds per gallon. Therefore, you would need seven gallons to equal just under 30 kilograms.
Two to Three Dining Room Chairs
Dining room chairs come in a variety of styles, including simple wooden or metal chairs or chairs with thick cushions. Some chairs have arms or high backs, while others don’t.
All of these factors affect how much a chair weighs. On average, though, a dining room chair weighs between 20 and 30 pounds, so you would need two to three chairs to equal about 30 kilograms.