Owners of Xiaomi’s popular smart scales often face confusing display signs that can be confusing when they first get to know the device. One of the most common questions is whether the Latin letter L appears on the screen immediately after turning on or during the weighing process. Many users mistaken this symbol for an error, a malfunction in electronics or even a low battery charge indicator, although in reality it is much simpler and more logical.
In fact, the L symbol is a direct reference to the chosen measurement system, namely the British (imperial) system, where weight is displayed in pounds. This is the standard designation for the Mi Body Composition Scale 2 and Mi Scale 2 models, which is activated by default in some regions or after a reset, understanding this nuance will save you from unnecessary panic and allow you to immediately start using the gadget correctly to track your health.
In this article, we will discuss in detail why the scales show this particular symbol, how to interpret the data correctly in different number systems, and how to switch to the usual kilograms, you will learn what other indicators can appear on the screen, how to perform the initial calibration, and what to do if the device does not respond to your actions.
The main reason for the appearance of the symbol L
The appearance of the letter L on the display of Xiaomi smart scales is not a malfunction signal, but an informative indicator of the current unit of weight. In the international classification, this letter comes from the English word "pounds", although visually it denotes the mode of display of mass in this system. By default, many devices supplied to the global market or resold through various distribution channels may have this format preset.
For users who are used to the metric system, the numbers will seem strange, since 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds. For example, if your real weight is 70 kilograms, then on the screen with active L mode you will see a value of about 154. That is why it is important to immediately identify the mode of operation so as not to be afraid of a sharp "weight gain" overnight. The device is completely functional and simply broadcasts data in a different format.
Importantly, this symbol can appear in two main cases: when you first turn on the device after removing the battery pack or after a long downtime, when the scales went into deep sleep and reset the temporary settings. Also, the change of indication could happen by accident if you stepped on the platform with two legs, and then quickly came down, which in some versions of the firmware is regarded as a request to change the mode.
⚠️ Warning: Don't try to disassemble the scale body or remove the batteries immediately after the letter L appears, thinking it's a mistake.
To understand the units of measurement will help the following table, which demonstrates the correspondence of symbols and systems:
| Symbol on display | Measurement system | Unit of weight | Example (70 kg) |
|---|
| L | British (Imperial) | Pounds (lbs) | ~154.3 |
| kg | metric | Kilograms. | 70.0 |
| Jin | Chinese | Jin (500g) | 140.0 |
📊 What measurement system are you used to weighing?
Kilograms (kg)
Pounds (lbs)
Pounds and stones (st)
Chinese Jin
Other symbols and modes of operation
In addition to the letter L, Xiaomi smart scales can display other symbols that indicate different modes or conditions of the device. Understanding their meaning is necessary for proper operation. For example, the oF (or OF) symbol most often indicates platform overload when the user’s weight exceeds the maximum permissible limit of 150 kg.
Another common indicator is Err, which signals a measurement error. This can happen if you stand on the scale unstable, move while measuring, or the platform is standing on a soft, puffy carpet. To get accurate data, the Mi Body Composition Scale 2 requires a hard, flat surface. This symbol can also appear at a critically low battery charge when the voltage is no longer enough to accurately measure.
Sometimes users see flashing numbers or symbols, indicating a data transfer or calibration process. If the scales have just been installed, they may need several on-off cycles to stabilize the readings. In the Mi Fit (or Zepp Life) application pairing mode, a Bluetooth icon can appear on the screen briefly to confirm successful synchronization.
What do numbers without letters mean?
If the screen is just numbers without the letters L or kg, this usually means that the scales are in the waiting mode of the last measurement or show the result of the previous weighing for a particular user if the profiles are already set.> How to switch Xiaomi scales to kilograms The most important question for owners is how to change the unit of measurement from pounds to kilograms. Fortunately, Xiaomi devices have a simple mechanical switching procedure that does not require connecting to a smartphone or complex settings in the menu. All control is carried out directly through the platform of the scales and buttons on the bottom panel. To start, turn the device with the front side down. You will see a round button, which is usually hidden from the bar. However, just pressing the button is not enough – you need to perform a certain sequence of actions to the scales “remember” the choice. The switching procedure is as follows: 1. Remove the battery unit from the compartment on the back panel. 2. Press and hold the Unit button on the bottom of the case. 3. Without releasing the button, insert the battery unit back into the compartment. 4. Continue holding the button for 3-5 seconds until the current unit of measurement (for example, L). 5. Release the button and press it again briefly, 6 to change the symbol, until the symbol is saved. ☑️ Checklist switching to kg Turn the scales:Push and hold the Unit button:Put the batteries without releasing the button:Wait for the blink:Select kgPlay: 0 / 1 After these steps, turn the scales over, press the platform to activate them, and make sure that the desired symbol kg is now displayed. If the first time failed, repeat the procedure, taking more time to hold the button when the batteries are installed. It is important that the batteries are new and charged, as at low voltage, the scales may not enter the setup mode.Tune in via the Mi Fit and Zepp Life app Although physical switching is the primary method, digital tuning also plays an important role in the Xiaomi ecosystem. The Mi Fit app (Zepp Life) or Mi Home app allows not only to track progress, but also to correct the displayed data in some versions of the firmware. Once you have switched the scales to K mode mechanically, you need to re-link the device to your account, and when you first connect, the app will request permission to access health and location data. In the profile settings inside the application, you can select your preferred measurement system. If the app has a metric system selected and the scale has an L, the data may not be synchronized correctly or the app will automatically count pounds into kilograms, which can lead to confusion in the history of weighings: 📱 Open the Zepp Life or Mi Home app on your smartphone. 👤 Go to the Profile section and select your scales from the device list. ⚙️ Find the "Settings" or "Singles" item in the device menu. ✅ Make sure you select the value of "Metric). After synchronization, all your data will be stored in the correct format, and the weight change schedule will be displayed objectively. ⚠️ Note: If you have changed region in the Mi Home app, the weight settings may reset. Always check the relevance of the units of measurement after the server change. Xiaomi smart scales use high-precision manganese steel sensors that provide an error of only 50 grams. However, to get reliable data, you need to take into account a number of external factors. The surface on which the scales are placed must be absolutely firm and flat. Soft coatings, such as carpet or thick linoleum, absorb some of the pressure, which leads to understatement of weight. The most accurate results are obtained in the morning, immediately after waking up and visiting the toilet, before eating and drinking water. Evening measurements may differ 1-2 To track the dynamics, it is important to weigh yourself in the same conditions and at about the same time, clothing and accessories can make their own adjustments, heavy home clothes, watches or jewelry add extra weight. For maximum accuracy, it is recommended to measure in light clothing or without it. 2 It measures not only weight, but also percentage of fat, muscle mass and water using bioimpedance analysis, and you have to stand on the scale barefoot so that the electrical impulse can pass through the body. 💡The main conclusion: Stability is more important than absolute accuracy at a given moment, always weigh yourself in the same conditions to correctly track trends. Often users are faced with a situation where the scales show the correct weight in kg, but do not sync with the smartphone. This may be due to the peculiarities of Bluetooth in the Android and iOS operating systems. First of all, make sure that the geolocation (GPS) on the phone is enabled - without this permission, the application cannot scan Bluetooth Low Energy devices. If the scales are "visible" in the list, but do not connect, try to "forget" the device in the Bluetooth settings of the phone and perform pairing again through the application. Sometimes it helps to reboot the Bluetooth module on the smartphone. It is also worth checking whether the application is connected to the phone; without this permission, the application, the application can cause a full scale to share the phone with the family members of the phone, but the full scales in rare cases, you can cause conflicts in which Xiaomi can cause a full scales. To do this, remove the batteries for a long time (more than 10 minutes), then insert them again and perform the procedure of switching the units of measurement again. This will clear the device's temporary memory buffer. FAQ: Frequently asked questions Why does the scale show L instead of kg immediately after purchase? This is a factory setting for the international market. The L symbol means pounds. You need to perform the procedure of switching the units of measurement using a button at the bottom of the device, holding it when installing the batteries, as described in the instructions above. Can you use Xiaomi scales without an application? Yes, the scales are completely autonomous. They show the base weight on the Firr, however, you can also show the Err graphs, if you can do not build the weights, the Err, but you can also see the graphs, if you can build the weights of the Err, if you can build the graphs. Stand on a hard floor (not on a carpet), stand flat and still. If the error repeats, replace the batteries, as low charge also causes this signal. What is the maximum weight of Xiaomi scales? The maximum load for the Mi Scale 2 and Mi Body Composition Scale 2 models is 150 kg. If you exceed this limit, the oF (Overload) warning will appear on the screen, and the weighting will not occur to avoid sensor breakdown. How often should you change the batteries? When you use one set of 4 AA batteries (2-3 times a day), the maximum load is about 6-12 months, when the screen will be overcharged, or the corresponding indicator will be on the screen.