Convert Hong Kong catty to kilogram effortlessly.
1 catty x 0.60478982 = 0.60478982 kg
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Ever walked through a bustling Hong Kong wet market and wondered how vendors weigh dried seafood or herbs? They often use the catty, a unit steeped in local tradition. But if you’re more familiar with kilograms, our converter bridges that gap instantly. Let’s explore why this matters.
Unit definitions
What is a Hong Kong catty (catty)?
- Description: A traditional weight unit used in Hong Kong for groceries and herbs.
- Symbol: 斤 (Chinese character), sometimes written as "catty"
- Common uses: Measuring fresh produce, tea, and medicinal ingredients.
- Definition: 1 Hong Kong catty = 604.78982 grams.
What is a kilogram (kg)?
- Description: The base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI).
- Symbol: kg
- Common uses: Global standard for science, commerce, and everyday measurements.
- Definition: 1 kilogram = 1000 grams.
Conversion formula
1 Hong Kong catty = 0.60478982 kilograms
To convert catties to kilograms:
Kilograms = Catties × 0.60478982
Example calculations
- Converting 5 catties to kilograms:
5 × 0.60478982 = 3.0239 kg (rounded to 4 decimal places). - Converting 2.5 kilograms to catties:
2.5 ÷ 0.60478982 ≈ 4.133 catties.
Conversion tables
Hong Kong catty to kilograms
| Catties | Kilograms |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.6048 |
| 2 | 1.2096 |
| 3 | 1.8144 |
| 4 | 2.4192 |
| 5 | 3.0239 |
| 10 | 6.0479 |
| 15 | 9.0718 |
| 20 | 12.0958 |
Kilograms to Hong Kong catty
| Kilograms | Catties |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1.6535 |
| 2 | 3.3070 |
| 3 | 4.9605 |
| 4 | 6.6140 |
| 5 | 8.2675 |
| 10 | 16.535 |
| 15 | 24.802 |
| 20 | 33.070 |
Historical background
The catty originated in China during teh Qing Dynasty as part of the traditional measurement system. When Hong Kong became a British colony in 1842, the catty was standardized to 604.79 grams to align with regional trade practices. Even after the 1976 metrication ordinance, the catty persisted in markets—proof that old habits die hard.
Interesting facts
- A “tael” (37.5 grams) is 1/16th of a catty, used for precious metals.
- Singapore and Malaysia use slightly different catties (≈604.8g vs. 605g).
- The character 斤 originally depicted an axe, symbolizing weight in ancient China.
- Hong Kong’s metrication allows dual-unit labeling to respect tradition.
- Digital scales in markets often toggle between catties and kilograms.
FAQ
This conversion is essential for international trade, cooking, or understanding product labels in regions using metric units.
The Hong Kong catty is standardized to 604.79 grams, while Malaysian and Chinese catties vary slightly.
Yes, it’s still permitted in traditional markets alongside metric units for cultural continuity.
Absolutely! Our tool handles both small and large quantities with precision.
Most modern supermarkets use kilograms, but wet markets and herbal shops often prefer catties.