Convert catty to grams easily.
1 斤 x 500 = 500 g
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If you’ve ever wandered through a bustling Asian market or flipped through an old family recipe book, you’ve probably seen weights listed in “catty.” This traditional unit feels mysterious if you grew up with kilograms or pounds, but don’t worry—converting catty to grams is simpler than folding dumplings. Let’s break it down step by step.
Unit definitions
What is a catty (斤)?
- Description: A traditional Asian unit of mass still used in China, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia.
- Symbol: 斤 (Chinese character)
- Common uses: Measuring produce, meat, and dry goods in markets; traditional medicine.
- Definition: 1 catty = 500 grams in mainland China. Note: Taiwan uses 600 grams per catty.
What is a gram (g)?
- Description: The base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI).
- Symbol: g
- Common uses: Scientific measurements, nutrition labels, small-scale cooking.
- Definition: 1 gram = 1/1000 of a kilogram, roughly equal to the mass of a paperclip.
Conversion formula
The math here is straightforward:
- Grams = Catties × 500
- Catties = Grams ÷ 500
For example, if your recipe calls for 3 catties of rice, multiply 3 × 500 to get 1500 grams. To convert 800 grams of tea to catties, divide 800 by 500 for 1.6 catties.. Easy peasy!
Example calculations
- 5 catties to grams
5 catties × 500 = 2500 grams
Perfect for buying bulk spices. - 2500 grams to catties
2500 grams ÷ 500 = 5 catties
Useful when interpreting vintage market records.
Conversion tables
Catty to grams
| Catty | Grams |
|---|---|
| 1 | 500 |
| 2 | 1000 |
| 3 | 1500 |
| 4 | 2000 |
| 5 | 2500 |
| 6 | 3000 |
| 7 | 3500 |
| 8 | 4000 |
| 9 | 4500 |
| 10 | 5000 |
Grams to catty
| Grams | Catty |
|---|---|
| 500 | 1 |
| 1000 | 2 |
| 1500 | 3 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2500 | 5 |
| 3000 | 6 |
| 3500 | 7 |
| 4000 | 8 |
| 4500 | 9 |
| 5000 | 10 |
Historical background
The catty (斤) dates back over 2,000 years to ancient China, where it was part of teh traditional measurement system. Originally based on the weight of bronze coins or grains, it became standardized during the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE). Despite China’s official shift to the metric system in 1929, the catty persists in daily life—proof that old habits die hard, especially when they’re baked into culture.
Fun twist: In colonial Hong Kong, British merchants struggled with the catty system, leading to hybrid units like the “picul” (100 catties) for trading rice and tea.
Interesting facts?
- Not just China: Variations of the catty exist in Thailand (“chang”), Malaysia (“kati”), and Japan (“kin”), though values differ slightly.
- Tea time: A standard tea brick in China often weighs 357 grams—roughly 0.714 catties.
- Jin vs. catty: In Mandarin, “catty” is pronounced “jīn,” written as 斤. Same unit, different language.
- Market haggling: Vendors often quote prices per catty, so knowing this conversion helps avoid overpaying.
- Olympic lifters: In China, weightlifting plates are sometimes labeled in catties alongside kilograms.
FAQ
No, 1 catty equals 500 grams (0.5 kg), while 1 pound is approximately 453.59 grams. They’re close but not identical.
Catty remains popular in markets and cultural practices across East Asia, offering a familiar reference for food and goods.
Divide grams by 500. For example, 1000 grams ÷ 500 = 2 catties.
Yes! Many traditional Asian recipes list ingredients in catty, especially for soups, meats, and bulk items.
Yes. In Taiwan, 1 catty = 600 grams. Always confirm which standard is being used.