Hundredweight (Cwt)

A hundredweight (abbreviated cwt) is an imperial unit of mass equal to 100 pounds (45.359237 kilograms). It is most commonly used in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where it is still used in the sale of some agricultural products, such as hay and straw. The hundredweight is divided into 12 stone, each of which is equal to 14 pounds (6.3502931 kilograms).

The hundredweight was originally defined as the weight of a hundredweight of wheat, which was approximately 100 pounds. However, the exact weight of a hundredweight has varied over time and from place to place. In the United Kingdom, the hundredweight was standardized in 1824 as being equal to 100 pounds.

The hundredweight is still used in some parts of the world, but it is gradually being replaced by the metric system. In the United States, the hundredweight is not used as a unit of measurement, but it is still used in some phrases, such as "a hundredweight of bricks."

The hundredweight is a useful unit of measurement for many purposes, as it is a convenient size for weighing large objects. It is also a relatively easy unit to convert to other units of measurement, such as kilograms or pounds.