Economics

Hundredweight (Cwt)

Published Oct 25, 2023

Definition of Hundredweight (Cwt)

Hundredweight (Cwt) is a unit of measurement used in commerce and trade to measure weight. It is most commonly used in the United States to measure agricultural and industrial commodities. One hundredweight is equal to 100 pounds, or approximately 45.36 kilograms. The term “hundredweight” may also refer to the quantity of goods that can be carried by a vehicle or transported by other means.

Example

To better understand the concept of hundredweight, let’s consider a farmer who grows wheat. After the harvest, the farmer weighs the wheat and determines that they have produced 500 hundredweights of wheat. This means that the total weight of the harvested wheat is 50,000 pounds, or approximately 22,680 kilograms.

The farmer then sells the wheat to a food processing company. The company agrees to purchase the wheat at a price of $10 per hundredweight. With the total weight of the wheat being 500 hundredweights, the farmer earns a total of $5,000 from the sale of the wheat.

Why Hundredweight (Cwt) Matters

Hundredweight is a commonly used unit of measurement in various industries, especially in the agricultural and industrial sectors. It provides a standardized way to measure and trade commodities, making it easier for producers, buyers, and sellers to determine quantities and negotiate prices. By using hundredweight as a unit of weight, businesses can streamline their operations and facilitate trade. Additionally, understanding hundredweight is essential for accurate record-keeping, financial calculations, and logistics planning in these industries.