Hundredweights
Abbreviation/Symbol:
cwt
Wordwide use:
Hundredweights, also known as centweights, are a unit of measurement commonly used in the United States and the United Kingdom for measuring weight. While the use of hundredweights has declined in many parts of the world due to the adoption of the metric system, they are still used in certain industries and contexts.
Definition:
A long hundredweight is equal to 112 pounds or approximately 50.802 kilograms. The long hundredweight is commonly used in the United Kingdom and some other countries that still use the imperial system for trade and commerce.
A short hundredweight, also known as a cental, is equal to 100 pounds or approximately 45.36 kilograms. The short hundredweight is primarily used in agricultural and industrial settings for measuring bulk goods such as grains, produce, and other commodities.
Origin:
The origin of the hundredweight can be traced back to medieval Europe, where it was used as a unit of measurement for goods and commodities. The term "hundredweight" is derived from the Old English word "hund," meaning "hundred," and "weight," referring to the measure of mass. In the British system of weights and measures, the hundredweight is equal to 112 pounds, or approximately 50.8 kilograms.
Usage context:
More information on Imperial hundredweights (Long).
More information on Short hundredweights (Cental).
