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Ten Things You Maybe Didn't Know About the Short Hundredweight

1. It’s 100 pounds

The Short Hundredweight is equal to 100 pounds, primarily used in the United States. It’s different from the long hundredweight used in other parts of the world, which equals 112 pounds.

2. Often used in agriculture and commerce

In the U.S., the Short Hundredweight is frequently used in industries like agriculture, where products like grains, coal, or livestock might be measured in this unit. It’s a handy way to measure bulk goods.

3. Commonly referred to as "cwt" in shorthand

Both the short and long hundredweight are commonly abbreviated as "cwt." If you see "cwt" on a product label, it’s probably referring to the short hundredweight, especially in the U.S.

4. Not widely used outside the U.S.

While the Short Hundredweight is common in the U.S., it’s not widely used elsewhere. Many countries, especially those using the metric system, have largely adopted kilograms or metric tons instead.

5. It's a leftover from traditional British units

The Short Hundredweight actually originated from the British Imperial system, which used to measure in long hundredweights. Over time, the U.S. adopted the short version for various practical reasons.

6. The term “hundredweight” has a long history

The word "hundredweight" has been around for centuries, originating in the Middle Ages. It initially referred to the weight of 100 items (like nails or bushels), and has since evolved into a fixed unit of weight.

7. Great for bulk measurements

The Short Hundredweight is ideal for large-scale commercial use. Instead of measuring huge quantities in smaller pounds, it groups them into more manageable chunks of 100 pounds.

8. Sometimes used in shipping and freight

In the shipping industry, especially in the U.S., freight is sometimes priced based on the hundredweight, making it easier to handle bulk shipments, especially for items like metal, grain, and more.

9. Easy to convert

One Short Hundredweight equals 100 pounds, so conversion is easy to do in your head. To go from pounds to Short Hundredweights, just divide by 100. Simple math!

10. Not to be confused with the Long Hundredweight

It’s important to note that the Short Hundredweight is different from the Long Hundredweight. The latter, used in the UK, is 112 pounds, so don’t mix them up if you’re working internationally!