Hundredweight to Ton Converter
Convert hundredweight (cwt) to imperial, metric, and US tons with precision
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Conversion Tables
UK Hundredweight to Imperial Ton
| Hundredweight (cwt) | Imperial Ton | Pounds (lb) | Kilogrammes (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cwt | 0.05 ton | 112 lb | 50.8023 kg |
| 5 cwt | 0.25 ton | 560 lb | 254.0117 kg |
| 10 cwt | 0.5 ton | 1,120 lb | 508.0234 kg |
| 20 cwt | 1 ton | 2,240 lb | 1,016.0469 kg |
| 50 cwt | 2.5 ton | 5,600 lb | 2,540.1172 kg |
| 100 cwt | 5 ton | 11,200 lb | 5,080.2345 kg |
| 200 cwt | 10 ton | 22,400 lb | 10,160.4691 kg |
UK Hundredweight to Metric Ton
| Hundredweight (cwt) | Metric Ton (tonne) | Kilogrammes (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cwt | 0.0508 t | 50.8023 kg |
| 5 cwt | 0.2540 t | 254.0117 kg |
| 10 cwt | 0.5080 t | 508.0234 kg |
| 20 cwt | 1.0160 t | 1,016.0469 kg |
| 50 cwt | 2.5401 t | 2,540.1172 kg |
| 100 cwt | 5.0802 t | 5,080.2345 kg |
US Hundredweight to Metric Ton
| US Hundredweight | Metric Ton (tonne) | Pounds (lb) | Kilogrammes (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cwt | 0.0454 t | 100 lb | 45.3592 kg |
| 5 cwt | 0.2268 t | 500 lb | 226.7962 kg |
| 10 cwt | 0.4536 t | 1,000 lb | 453.5924 kg |
| 20 cwt | 0.9072 t | 2,000 lb | 907.1847 kg |
| 50 cwt | 2.2680 t | 5,000 lb | 2,267.9619 kg |
| 100 cwt | 4.5359 t | 10,000 lb | 4,535.9237 kg |
Conversion Formulas
UK Hundredweight to Imperial Ton
or
Tons = Hundredweight × 0.05
Explanation: The UK imperial system defines 20 hundredweight as equal to 1 long ton (imperial ton). Since 1 UK hundredweight equals 112 pounds and 1 imperial ton equals 2,240 pounds, dividing by 20 gives the ton value.
Step-by-step example: Convert 45 UK hundredweight to imperial tons
- Start with: 45 cwt
- Apply formula: 45 ÷ 20 = 2.25
- Result: 45 cwt = 2.25 imperial tons
- Verification: 2.25 tons × 2,240 lb/ton = 5,040 lb, and 45 cwt × 112 lb/cwt = 5,040 lb ✓
UK Hundredweight to Metric Ton
or
Metric Tons = (Hundredweight × 112) ÷ 2204.62
Explanation: One UK hundredweight equals 50.80234544 kilogrammes. Since 1 metric ton equals 1,000 kilogrammes, multiplying hundredweight by 0.0508023 converts to metric tons.
Step-by-step example: Convert 30 UK hundredweight to metric tons
- Start with: 30 cwt
- Apply formula: 30 × 0.0508023 = 1.524069
- Result: 30 cwt ≈ 1.524 metric tons
- In kilogrammes: 30 × 50.80234544 = 1,524.0704 kg
US Hundredweight to US Ton
or
US Tons = US Hundredweight × 0.05
Explanation: Similar to the UK system, 20 US hundredweight equal 1 short ton. Since 1 US hundredweight equals 100 pounds and 1 short ton equals 2,000 pounds, the ratio remains 20:1.
US Hundredweight to Metric Ton
or
Metric Tons = (US Hundredweight × 100) ÷ 2204.62
Explanation: One US hundredweight equals 45.359237 kilogrammes. Dividing by 1,000 (kilogrammes per metric ton) gives the conversion factor of 0.0453592.
What is a Hundredweight?
The hundredweight (abbreviated cwt, from the Latin centum meaning “hundred”) is a traditional unit of weight that has different values in different regions.
UK/Imperial Hundredweight (Long Hundredweight)
- Weight: 112 pounds (50.80234544 kilogrammes)
- Composition: Equal to 8 stone (1 stone = 14 pounds)
- Alternative names: Long hundredweight, imperial hundredweight
- Common usage: Historically used in the UK for weighing agricultural products, coal, and other bulk goods
- Relationship to ton: 20 hundredweight = 1 imperial ton (long ton)
US Hundredweight (Short Hundredweight)
- Weight: 100 pounds (45.359237 kilogrammes)
- Alternative name: Cental
- Common usage: Still used in the United States for commodities trading, agriculture, and livestock
- Relationship to ton: 20 hundredweight = 1 US ton (short ton)
Types of Tons
Imperial Ton (Long Ton)
- Weight: 2,240 pounds (1,016.0469088 kilogrammes)
- Usage: Traditional UK measurement, still used in some Commonwealth countries
- Application: Shipping, naval displacement, some bulk commodities
- Equivalence: 1.016 metric tons or 1.12 US tons
Metric Ton (Tonne)
- Weight: 1,000 kilogrammes (2,204.62 pounds)
- Usage: International standard, used globally in metric system countries
- Symbol: t (tonne) or MT (metric ton)
- Application: Universal standard for international trade, science, and industry
- Equivalence: 0.984 imperial tons or 1.102 US tons
US Ton (Short Ton)
- Weight: 2,000 pounds (907.18474 kilogrammes)
- Usage: Standard in the United States
- Application: Domestic trade, construction, manufacturing in the US
- Equivalence: 0.907 metric tons or 0.893 imperial tons
Weight Comparison
Comparing the Systems
1 UK Hundredweight (112 lb)
- = 0.05 Imperial Tons
- = 0.0508 Metric Tons
- = 0.056 US Tons
- = 50.802 Kilogrammes
Key Differences
Imperial Ton vs US Ton: An imperial ton is 240 pounds (10.7%) heavier than a US ton. This difference stems from the different hundredweight definitions used in each system.
UK vs US Hundredweight: The UK hundredweight contains 12 pounds more than its US counterpart, making it approximately 12% heavier.
| Unit | Pounds (lb) | Kilogrammes (kg) | System |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK Hundredweight | 112 | 50.802 | Imperial |
| US Hundredweight | 100 | 45.359 | US Customary |
| Imperial Ton | 2,240 | 1,016.047 | Imperial |
| US Ton | 2,000 | 907.185 | US Customary |
| Metric Ton | 2,204.62 | 1,000 | Metric |
Historical Context
The hundredweight has deep roots in British mercantile history, dating back to medieval times when it was used to standardise trade across regions. The term derives from the Latin “centum pondus” meaning “hundred weight.”
Originally, the English hundredweight was based on 100 pounds, but in 1340, King Edward III changed it to 112 pounds to align with the wool trade standards. This 112-pound hundredweight became standard in the British Empire and persists in the UK today.
The United States, having separated before full standardisation, retained the original 100-pound definition, creating the short hundredweight or cental. This divergence explains why UK and US hundredweights differ.
In modern Britain, whilst metric measurements dominate most sectors following metrication in the 1960s-1990s, hundredweights and tons still appear in certain traditional contexts, particularly in agriculture, coal trading, and historical records.
Where These Units Are Still Relevant
Agriculture and Farming
Hundredweights remain common in British agriculture for weighing:
- Grain yields (wheat, barley, oats)
- Livestock weights at market
- Potato and vegetable crops
- Animal feed and fertiliser
Shipping and Maritime
Imperial tons (long tons) are still used in some maritime contexts:
- Ship displacement measurements
- Cargo capacity for certain vessels
- Historical naval specifications
- Traditional shipping documentation
Commodities Trading
Some commodity markets still reference these traditional units:
- Coal and mineral trading in certain markets
- Traditional produce markets
- Historical price comparisons
- Regional agricultural exchanges
Legal and Historical Documents
These units frequently appear in:
- Property deeds and land records
- Historical trade agreements
- Archival research and genealogy
- Conservation of historical buildings and infrastructure
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hundredweight are in a ton?
There are exactly 20 hundredweight in one ton, whether using the UK/imperial system (20 long hundredweight = 1 long ton) or the US system (20 short hundredweight = 1 short ton). This 20:1 ratio is consistent across both measurement systems.
What does cwt stand for?
The abbreviation “cwt” stands for hundredweight, with “c” coming from the Roman numeral for 100 (centum) and “wt” representing weight. Despite the name suggesting 100 pounds, the UK hundredweight actually equals 112 pounds, whilst the US version equals 100 pounds.
Is a UK ton the same as a metric ton?
No, they are different. A UK ton (imperial or long ton) weighs 2,240 pounds (1,016.047 kg), whilst a metric ton (tonne) weighs exactly 1,000 kilogrammes (2,204.62 pounds). The imperial ton is approximately 1.6% heavier than the metric ton.
Why is the UK hundredweight 112 pounds instead of 100?
The 112-pound hundredweight emerged in medieval England to align with stone-based measurements (8 stone × 14 pounds = 112 pounds) and wool trade standards. This became standardised in 1340 under King Edward III and remained the British standard, whilst the United States retained the earlier 100-pound definition.
Should I use imperial tons or metric tons in the UK?
Modern UK business and trade predominantly use metric tons (tonnes) following metrication. However, imperial tons may still appear in traditional sectors, maritime contexts, and historical records. When in doubt, metric tons are the safer choice for contemporary applications.
How do I convert between UK and US hundredweight?
To convert UK hundredweight to US hundredweight, multiply by 1.12 (since UK is 12% heavier). To convert US to UK hundredweight, multiply by 0.8929. For example: 10 UK cwt = 11.2 US cwt, and 10 US cwt = 8.929 UK cwt.
Are hundredweights still used today?
Yes, though less commonly than in the past. In the UK, hundredweights appear mainly in traditional agriculture, livestock markets, and historical contexts. In the United States, they remain more prevalent in agricultural commodities, livestock trading, and certain industrial applications.
What is the difference between a long ton and a short ton?
A long ton (imperial ton) weighs 2,240 pounds and is used in the UK and Commonwealth countries. A short ton (US ton) weighs 2,000 pounds and is standard in the United States. The long ton is 10.7% heavier, creating a difference of 240 pounds per ton.