Quintal vs. Ton — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 23, 2024
A quintal typically weighs 100 kilograms or approximately 220 pounds, while a ton, as defined in the U.S., weighs 2000 pounds.
Difference Between Quintal and Ton
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A quintal is a unit of mass primarily used in European and Latin American countries, equivalent to 100 kilograms or about 220 pounds. On the other hand, a ton refers to a unit of mass used predominantly in the United States, equivalent to 2000 pounds or approximately 907 kilograms. Both units are used in different contexts, with the quintal often used in agricultural settings, while the ton is commonly used in industries and larger scale commercial measurements.
Quintals are not commonly used in the U.S. or the UK, whereas the term 'ton' is recognized globally but has different definitions, such as the short ton in the U.S. and the long ton in the UK, which equals 2240 pounds. The metric ton, closely related but slightly different from the quintal, is used worldwide and equals 1000 kilograms.
In terms of international trade and commerce, the quintal is less frequently used compared to the ton, which is widely adopted in shipping, manufacturing, and trade documentation. This wider adoption makes the ton a more standardized measure for global business activities.
While the quintal remains a traditional unit for certain local markets and agricultural produce like grains and livestock, the ton has broader applications including raw materials like coal and metals. This demonstrates the ton's versatility and broader acceptance in industrial capacities.
The differentiation in usage also reflects regional measurement preferences and historical influences. For example, countries with a history of metric system adoption tend to use the quintal, while English-speaking countries and those influenced by British or American systems use tons.
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Comparison Chart
Weight
100 kilograms (220 lbs)
2000 lbs (907.185 kg) in the U.S.
System
Metric system
Imperial system (U.S. and U.K.)
Global Usage
Used mainly in Europe and Latin America
Widely used in the U.S., and internationally in different forms
Common Applications
Agriculture, local markets
Industry, shipping, large-scale trade
Variants
Generally consistent
Varies as short ton, long ton, and metric ton
Compare with Definitions
Quintal
A unit of weight equal to 100 kilograms.
The farmer sold a quintal of wheat.
Ton
A unit of weight equal to 2000 pounds in the U.S.
The bridge’s capacity is 20 tons.
Quintal
Traditional unit in various cultures.
In India, a quintal is frequently used to measure agricultural products.
Ton
Also known as a short ton in the United States.
Industrial equipment is often measured in tons.
Quintal
Used in trade for measuring crops.
Coffee exports are often calculated in quintals.
Ton
A metric ton equals 1000 kilograms.
The cargo ship carried 5000 metric tons of steel.
Quintal
Common in countries using the metric system.
Local markets in France display prices per quintal.
Ton
The long ton, used in the UK, equals 2240 pounds.
British ships have their displacement measured in long tons.
Quintal
Often used in agricultural contexts.
The price of rice is quoted per quintal.
Ton
Widely used in industry and commerce.
Coal production figures are typically reported in tons.
Quintal
The quintal or centner is a historical unit of mass in many countries which is usually defined as 100 base units, such as pounds or kilograms. It is a traditional unit of weight in France, Portugal, and Spain and their former colonies.
Ton
The ton is a unit of measure. It has a long history and has acquired a number of meanings and uses over the years.
Quintal
A unit of mass in the metric system equal to 100 kilograms.
Ton
A unit of weight equal to 2,000 pounds (0.907 metric ton or 907.18 kilograms). Also called net ton, short ton.
Quintal
See hundredweight.
Ton
A unit of weight equal to 2,240 pounds (1.016 metric tons or 1,016.05 kilograms). Also called long ton.
Quintal
(historical) hundredweight, 100 or 112 English or American pounds.
Ton
A metric ton. See Table at measurement.
Quintal
(historical) Various other similar units of weight in other systems.
Ton
A unit of capacity for cargo in maritime shipping, normally estimated at 40 cubic feet.
Quintal
An unofficial metric unit equal to 100 kg.
Ton
A unit of internal capacity of a ship equal to 100 cubic feet.
Quintal
A hundredweight, either 112 or 100 pounds, according to the scale used. Cf. Cental.
Ton
A unit for measuring the displacement of ships, equal to 35 cubic feet, and supposed to equal the volume taken by a long ton of seawater.
Quintal
A metric measure of weight, being 100,000 grams, or 100 kilograms, equal to 220.46 pounds avoirdupois.
Ton
A large extent, amount, or number
Has a ton of work.
Gets tons of fan mail.
Quintal
A unit of weight equal to 100 kilograms
Ton
Used adverbially with a or in the plural to mean "to a great degree or extent" or "frequently"
Felt a ton better.
Has seen her tons lately.
Quintal
A United States unit of weight equivalent to 100 pounds
Ton
A unit of weight (mass) equal to 2240 pounds (a long ton) or 2000 pounds (a short ton) or 1000 kilograms (a metric ton).
Ton
A unit of volume; register ton.
Ton
In refrigeration and air conditioning, a unit of thermal power defined as 12,000 BTU/h (about 3.514 kW or 3024 kcal/h), originally the rate of cooling provided by uniform isothermal melting of one short ton of ice per day at 32 °F (0 °C).
Ton
A large amount.
I’ve got a ton of work to do.
I've got tons of work to do.
Ton
(slang) A speed of 100 mph.
Ton
One hundred pounds sterling.
Ton
(cricket) One hundred runs.
Ton
One hundred points scored.
Ton
Fashion, the current style, the vogue.
Ton
Fashionable society; those in style.
Ton
The common tunny, or horse mackerel.
Ton
The prevailing fashion or mode; vogue; as, things of ton.
If our people of ton are selfish, at any rate they show they are selfish.
Ton
A measure of weight or quantity.
Ton
The weight of twenty hundredweight.
Ton
Forty cubic feet of space, being the unit of measurement of the burden, or carrying capacity, of a vessel; as a vessel of 300 tons burden.
Ton
A certain weight or quantity of merchandise, with reference to transportation as freight; as, six hundred weight of ship bread in casks, seven hundred weight in bags, eight hundred weight in bulk; ten bushels of potatoes; eight sacks, or ten barrels, of flour; forty cubic feet of rough, or fifty cubic feet of hewn, timber, etc.
Ton
A United States unit of weight equivalent to 2000 pounds
Ton
A British unit of weight equivalent to 2240 pounds
Common Curiosities
What are the different types of tons?
There are three main types of tons: the short ton (2000 pounds), the long ton (2240 pounds), and the metric ton (1000 kilograms).
What is a quintal?
A quintal is a measurement unit equivalent to 100 kilograms or about 220 pounds, primarily used in Europe and Latin America.
Is the quintal used in the United States?
No, the quintal is not commonly used in the United States; instead, the ton is the prevalent unit of weight.
Which is heavier, a quintal or a metric ton?
A metric ton is heavier, weighing 1000 kilograms, compared to a quintal, which weighs 100 kilograms.
What is the common usage of a quintal in trade?
The quintal is commonly used in the agricultural sector for trading commodities like grains and livestock.
How does the usage of quintals affect local markets?
In local markets, especially in metric-using countries, quintals simplify trading and pricing of bulk goods.
What role does the ton play in U.S. industries?
In the U.S., the ton is essential for standardizing measurements in industries ranging from mining to logistics.
How many pounds are in a U.S. ton?
A U.S. ton, also known as a short ton, consists of 2000 pounds.
Can the quintal and the ton be used interchangeably?
No, they cannot be used interchangeably due to significant differences in weight and regional usage.
What are some examples of commodities measured in tons?
Commodities such as coal, metal ores, and grains are often measured in tons due to the large quantities involved.
What industries most commonly use the ton?
The ton is widely used in industries such as shipping, construction, and materials handling.
Are tons and quintals used internationally?
Tons are used internationally in various forms, whereas quintals are limited to specific regions that use the metric system.
How do the different types of tons impact international trade?
The existence of different types of tons can complicate international trade, requiring conversions and clarifications in trade agreements.
Is the quintal recognized by the International System of Units?
Yes, the quintal is recognized by the International System of Units as a non-SI unit that is accepted for use with the SI.
Why does the UK use a long ton?
The long ton has historical roots in the UK’s measurement system and is used to align with other imperial units.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
