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Hundredweight Conversion Table
This comprehensive hundredweight conversion table shows how various units relate to hundredweight (both short and long). Use this reference for quick conversions between hundredweight and other common mass units.
| Conversion | To Unit | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Short hundredweight to kilograms | Kilograms | 45.3592 |
| Short hundredweight to pounds | Pounds | 100 |
| Long hundredweight to kilograms | Kilograms | 50.8023 |
| Long hundredweight to pounds | Pounds | 112 |
| Short hundredweight to tonnes | Tonnes | 0.0453592 |
| Long hundredweight to tonnes | Tonnes | 0.0508023 |
| Short hundredweight to ounces | Ounces | 1600 |
| Long hundredweight to ounces | Ounces | 1792 |
| Short hundredweight to grams | Grams | 45359.2 |
| Long hundredweight to grams | Grams | 50802.3 |
| Short hundredweight to stone | Stone | 7.14286 |
| Long hundredweight to stone | Stone | 8 |
| Short hundredweight to grains | Grains | 700000 |
| Long hundredweight to grains | Grains | 784000 |
| Short hundredweight to milligrams | Milligrams | 45359200 |
| Long hundredweight to milligrams | Milligrams | 50802300 |
| Short hundredweight to micrograms | Micrograms | 45359200000 |
| Long hundredweight to micrograms | Micrograms | 50802300000 |
| Short hundredweight to carats | Carats | 226796 |
| Long hundredweight to carats | Carats | 254012 |
This hundredweight conversion reference table provides accurate conversion factors for both short (US) and long (UK) hundredweight. All values are based on internationally recognized standards for maximum precision in scientific and engineering applications.
What is a Hundredweight?
The hundredweight (symbol: cwt) is a unit of mass used primarily in the United States and the United Kingdom. There are two different definitions:
Short Hundredweight (US): Equal to 100 pounds or approximately 45.3592 kilograms. This is the standard in the United States.
Long Hundredweight (UK): Equal to 112 pounds or approximately 50.8023 kilograms. This is the traditional British standard.
Our hundredweight conversion tool helps you easily convert between hundredweight and other units. For example, 1 short hundredweight equals 100 pounds, while 1 long hundredweight equals 112 pounds.
What is the SI of Hundredweight?
The hundredweight is not an SI unit. The kilogram (kg) is the base SI unit for measuring mass. When working with SI units conversion, hundredweight values are typically converted to kilograms:
- 1 short hundredweight (cwt) = 45.3592 kilograms
- 1 long hundredweight (cwt) = 50.8023 kilograms
What are Hundredweight Used For?
Hundredweight is used in a variety of applications, particularly in commerce and agriculture. As a traditional unit for measuring bulk goods, hundredweight provides a convenient scale for mass conversion:
Agriculture
Measuring crop yields, fertilizer quantities, and animal feed. For example, a farmer might report a wheat harvest of 150 hundredweight per acre.
Commerce & Trade
Pricing bulk commodities like steel, coal, and grain. For example, steel might be sold at $50 per hundredweight.
Transportation
Calculating freight charges and vehicle load limits. For example, a truck might have a maximum load capacity of 20 hundredweight.
Manufacturing
Measuring raw material quantities and product weights. For example, a shipment of 50 hundredweight of plastic pellets.
Etymology and History
The term "hundredweight" comes from the Old English "hundred" (meaning 100) and "weight" (a unit of measurement). Historically, it represented 100 pounds of a commodity, but the exact weight varied by region and commodity type. In medieval England, different hundredweights were used for different goods, such as 108 pounds for wool.
The modern definitions were standardized in the 14th century. The short hundredweight of 100 pounds was adopted in the United States, while Britain retained the long hundredweight of 112 pounds (8 stone of 14 pounds each). This distinction reflects the evolution of measurement systems in weight units and the different paths taken by American and British standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between short and long hundredweight?
The short hundredweight (used in the US) equals 100 pounds or approximately 45.36 kg. The long hundredweight (used in the UK) equals 112 pounds or approximately 50.80 kg. This difference reflects historical measurement variations between American and British systems. When converting, it's crucial to know which hundredweight you're using.
How do I convert hundredweight to kilograms?
Use our hundredweight conversion calculators above, or multiply by the appropriate factor. For short hundredweight: multiply by 45.3592. For long hundredweight: multiply by 50.8023. For detailed instructions on converting hundredweight to kilograms, visit our hundredweight to kg converter.
Why is hundredweight still used today?
Hundredweight remains common in specific industries like agriculture, shipping, and commodities trading because it provides a convenient intermediate scale between pounds and tons. It's especially useful for pricing bulk goods. Our hundredweight converter tool simplifies these industry-standard calculations.
What are common uses for hundredweight conversion?
Hundredweight conversion is essential in agriculture (crop yields), commerce (pricing steel and grain), shipping (freight charges), and manufacturing (raw material quantities). Whether calculating fertilizer needs for a farm or pricing a steel shipment, our hundredweight converter tool handles these everyday tasks.
How does hundredweight conversion differ from other weight units?
Unlike SI base units like kilograms, hundredweight is a traditional unit with two distinct definitions (short and long). This makes conversion more complex than metric system conversions, where all units are based on powers of ten. Our tool handles both definitions automatically for accurate results.
Can I convert very large or small measurements in hundredweight?
Yes, our hundredweight converter handles both large and small measurements with precision. For small quantities, convert ounces to hundredweight (1 oz = 0.000625 short cwt). For large quantities, convert hundredweight to tons (1 short ton = 20 short cwt). Our smart rounding feature ensures readable results for all scales.
Is your hundredweight conversion tool free to use?
Yes, our hundredweight conversion calculator is completely free with no registration required. Simply enter your value, select your target unit, and get instant, accurate results. We believe precise measurement conversion should be accessible to everyone, from farmers calculating crop yields to logistics managers planning shipments.
How accurate is the hundredweight conversion?
Our hundredweight converter uses internationally recognized conversion factors for maximum precision. Short hundredweight is defined as exactly 45.359237 kg, and long hundredweight as exactly 50.80234544 kg. This ensures accurate conversions for both scientific calculations and commercial applications.