Hundredweight (Cwt)

Hundredweight (CWT)

Definition and key points

A hundredweight (abbreviated CWT, from centum/cental weight) is a traditional unit of mass used in commodities trading and freight pricing. There are two standards:
* North America (short hundredweight): 1 CWT = 100 pounds = 45.3592 kg
* United Kingdom (long hundredweight): 1 CWT = 112 pounds = 50.8023 kg

Because of these two definitions, CWT can cause confusion in international contexts and has declined in general use in favor of pounds or kilograms.

Historical background

The hundredweight has medieval origins in the avoirdupois system. In Britain it became fixed at 112 pounds (eight stones of 14 pounds) after changes to the stone in the 14th century and was later codified in law. North America adopted the 100‑pound definition that remains standard there.

Common uses and examples

CWT is still used in specific sectors:
* Commodities markets: livestock (cattle), grains, oilseeds, rice, sugar, coffee futures and other bulk agricultural products are often quoted or traded per hundredweight.
* Freight pricing: some carriers offer CWT-based pricing for many small packages that together weigh under a truckload.
* Heavy items and bulk goods: steel, paper, certain chemicals and historically even anvils were described by hundredweights.

Examples:
* Cattle: In the U.S., divide total pounds of beef by 100 to get CWT (e.g., 1,250 lb = 12.5 CWT).
* Freight: A rate of $30 per CWT for a 500‑lb shipment: 500 ÷ 100 = 5 CWT → 5 × $30 = $150.

How to calculate CWT and convert units

• North America: CWT = weight (lb) ÷ 100
• United Kingdom: CWT = weight (lb) ÷ 112

Useful conversions:
* 1 US CWT (100 lb) = 45.3592 kg
1 UK CWT (112 lb) = 50.8023 kg
1 short ton (US, 2,000 lb) = 20 CWT (US)
* 1 long ton (UK, 2,240 lb) = 20 CWT (UK)

CWT shipping vs. LTL shipping

When shipping smaller loads, carriers commonly offer two pricing methods:

CWT shipping
* Priced per hundredweight.
* Suited to many small packages going to multiple destinations.
* Less handling—no need to palletize every shipment.
* Often more economical for lighter shipments over shorter distances.

LTL (less-than-truckload) shipping
* Priced per pallet or by dimensional/weight freight class.
* Suited for larger, heavy, oddly shaped items or consolidated shipments to the same destination.
* More economical for heavy shipments over longer distances.

Choosing between them depends on package size, weight, number of destinations, palletization, and distance.

Why CWT has declined

The spread of the metric system and the ambiguity between the short and long CWT reduced its suitability for international trade. Many industries now prefer pounds or kilograms for clarity and standardization, though CWT persists in niche domestic markets and freight pricing.

Quick reference

• Abbreviation: CWT (centum/cental weight)
• US/Canada: 1 CWT = 100 lb = 45.3592 kg
• UK: 1 CWT = 112 lb = 50.8023 kg
• Calculation (US): CWT = total pounds ÷ 100

Conclusion

Hundredweight remains a functional unit in certain commodity markets and freight pricing, but its dual definitions and the global shift to metric units limit its use outside specific domestic contexts.