Hundredweight

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Hundredweight (abbreviated as cwt) is a unit of mass used in certain measurement systems, including the Imperial system and the US customary system. The term has different values depending on the region in which it is used.

Imperial Hundredweight

In the United Kingdom and other countries that use the Imperial system, a hundredweight is defined as 112 pounds (approximately 50.8023 kilograms). This is also known as the long hundredweight.

US Hundredweight

In the United States, a hundredweight is defined as 100 pounds (approximately 45.3592 kilograms). This is also known as the short hundredweight.

Historical Context

The term "hundredweight" dates back to the Middle Ages and was originally used to describe a unit of weight that was approximately equal to 100 pounds. However, the exact value varied by region and commodity. The differentiation between the long and short hundredweight became standardized with the adoption of the Imperial system in 1824.

Usage

Hundredweight is commonly used in various industries, including agriculture, shipping, and commodities trading. It is often used to measure bulk goods such as grain, coal, and livestock.

Conversion

To convert between the different types of hundredweight and other units of mass:

• 1 Imperial hundredweight = 112 pounds = 50.8023 kilograms
• 1 US hundredweight = 100 pounds = 45.3592 kilograms

See Also

• Imperial system
• United States customary units
• Pound (mass)
• Ton
• Kilogram