How many pounds does it take to break bones?

As few as 25 pounds of pressure can induce a fracture in one of the smaller bones in the human body, explains UCSB ScienceLine. Conversely, under the right conditions, 1 cubic inch of bone can withstand over 19,000 pounds without breaking, notes LiveScience.

Whether a bone breaks under pressure depends not only on the magnitude of the weight, but also on the speed and direction of the force, states LiveScience. The amount of damage to the bone also varies from person to person because factors such as muscle volume, fat volume, overall health and age also play a role in determining how much pressure a bone can handle.