Convert chinese dan to liters easily.
1 dan x 100 = 100 L
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Ever found yourself staring at a traditional Chinese recipe or agricultural report that uses dan measurements? You’re not alone. While the metric system dominates globally, understanding dan-to-liter conversions remains crucial for cultural preservation, historical research, and even modern farming practices in parts of Asia. Let’s unravel this unit mystery together.
Unit definitions
What is a chinese dan (dan)?
The dan (石) is a traditional Chinese unit of volume that’s been used for centuries, primarily for measuring dry goods like rice, wheat, and millet. One modern dan equals exactly 100 liters, though historical values fluctuated between 70-100 liters depending on the dynasty. You’ll still encounter it in rural markets and historical documents.
Symbol: dan
Common uses: Agriculture, historical measurements
Definition: 1 dan = 100 liters = 0.1 cubic meters
What is a liter (L)?
The liter is the metric system’s volume workhorse. Defined as the space occupied by 1 kilogram of water at maximum density, it’s used worldwide for both liquids and dry goods. Fun fact – your average water bottle holds about 0.5 liters, making it easy to visualize.
Symbol: L
Common uses: Everyday liquid measurements, cooking, science
Definition: 1 liter = 1 cubic decimeter = 0.001 cubic meters
Conversion formula
The conversion couldn’t be simpler:
- Liters = Dan × 100
- Dan = Liters ÷ 100
No complicated exponents or variable rates here – this direct 100:1 ratio makes conversions a breeze once you remember the magic number.
Example calculations
- Ancient grain storage:
A Ming Dynasty text mentions 3.5 dan of rice.
3.5 dan × 100 = 350 liters
That’s equivalent to 350 standard 1-liter milk cartons! - Modern farming:
A farmer harvests 4,200 liters of wheat.
4,200 L ÷ 100 = 42 dan
Perfect for calculating storage needs in traditional terms.
Conversion tables
Chinese dan to liters
| Dan | Liters |
|---|---|
| 1 | 100 |
| 2 | 200 |
| 3 | 300 |
| 5 | 500 |
| 10 | 1,000 |
| 15 | 1,500 |
| 20 | 2,000 |
| 25 | 2,500 |
| 50 | 5,000 |
| 100 | 10,000 |
Liters to chinese dan
| Liters | Dan |
|---|---|
| 100 | 1 |
| 250 | 2.5 |
| 500 | 5 |
| 750 | 7.5 |
| 1,000 | 10 |
| 2,500 | 25 |
| 5,000 | 50 |
| 7,500 | 75 |
| 10,000 | 100 |
| 15,000 | 150 |
Historical background
The dan’s history is as rich as Chinese civilization itself. First appearing in Zhou Dynasty texts (1046-256 BCE), it originally represented the volume of millet needed to feed one soldier for a month. Over centuries, its definition shifted with political changes – the Qin Dynasty standardized measurements, but local variations persisted until teh 20th century when 1 dan was officially set to 100 liters in 1929.
Interesting facts?
- Granary math: Imperial tax collectors used dan measurements to calculate grain levies
- Poetic measures: Classical Chinese poetry often uses dan metaphorically for abundance
- Metric merger: China officially adopted the metric system in 1984 but kept dan as a "market unit"
- Container culture: Traditional dan containers were often beautifully lacquered wooden boxes
- Global cousin: Similar to Japanese koku (180.39 L) but with different historical roots
FAQ
This conversion helps when working with agricultural products, historical records, or regional recipes that still use traditional Chinese measurements.
In modern usage, yes. However, historical definitions of dan varied slightly by region and time period before 20th-century standardization.
Absolutely! Just divide the number of liters by 100 to get the equivalent in dan.
While the metric system is official, dan persists in agriculture and traditional markets, especially in rural areas.
It's similar to Japanese koku (about 180.39 liters) but smaller than Korean seom (varies by era). Each reflects local measurement traditions.