U

World of Units

Convert quintal to kilograms easily.

From
To
Kilogram
Kilogram

1 q x 100 = 100 kg

Ever found yourself staring at a sack of wheat labeled in quintals and wondered how that translates to kilograms? You’re not alone. Whether you’re a farmer in Punjab, a trader in Marseille, or a student tackling math problems, understanding quintal-to-kilogram conversions is surprisingly handy. Let’s break it down without the jargon.

Unit definitions

What is a quintal (q)?

  • Description: A unit of mass used primarily in agriculture and commerce.
  • Symbol: q or qt (though “q” is more common).
  • Common uses: Measuring crops like rice, wheat, and cotton in countries like India, France, and Brazil.
  • Definition: 1 quintal equals 100 kilograms. It’s not an SI unit but is recognized in some national measurement systems.

What is a kilogram (kg)?

  • Description: The base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI).
  • Symbol: kg.
  • Common uses: Used globally for everyday weight measurements, science, and trade.
  • Definition: Defined by the Planck constant since 2019, making it one of the most precisely standardized units.

Conversion formula

The conversion is straightforward:

  • Quintal to kilograms: Multiply quintals by 100.
    Formula: kg = q × 100
  • Kilograms to quintal: Divide kilograms by 100.
    Formula: q = kg ÷ 100

Example calculations

  1. Converting 7 quintals to kilograms:
    7 q × 100 = 700 kg
    That’s like seven sacks of rice each weighing a quintal – total 700 kg!
  2. Converting 450 kilograms to quintals:
    450 kg ÷ 100 = 4.5 q
    Imagine splitting a 450 kg fertilizer batch into 4.5 quintal-sized portions.

Conversion tables

Quintal to kilograms

QuintalKilograms
1100
2200
3300
4400
5500
6600
7700
8800
9900
101,000

Kilograms to quintal

KilogramsQuintal
1001
2002
3003
4004
5005
6006
7007
8008
9009
1,00010

Historical background

The quintal has roots in the late 18th century metric system. France introduced it as part of their decimal based measurements, defining it as 100 kilograms. While the tonne (1,000 kg) eventually overshadowed it globally, the quintal stuck around in agriculture. In India, for instance, it’s still the go-to unit for crop yields. Fun fact: The word “quintal” comes from the Arabic “qintar,” which itself traces back to Latin “centenarium” meaning “hundredweight.”

Interesting facts

  1. Not just a metric thing: The British “hundredweight” is 112 pounds (about 50.8 kg), causing confusion with the 100 kg quintal.
  2. Language links: In Spanish and Portuguese, “quintal” also refers to a backyard garden, showing its agricultural ties.
  3. Global patchwork: While India uses quintals for crops, Japan prefers “koku” (about 150 kg) for rice – proving units are cultural.
  4. Science says no: The SI system doesn’t recognize the quintal, yet it thrives in specific industries.
  5. Short-lived fame: The quintal was briefly part of the original 1795 French metric system but got replaced by the tonne by 1960.

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