Kati (India) (kati) - Unit Information & Conversion
What is a Kati (India)?
Definition
The Kati is a traditional unit of mass primarily used in India, often considered synonymous with or very closely related to the Tola. While historical and regional variations existed, the value commonly associated with the Kati (especially when linked to the Tola standard) is approximately 11.664 grams. It formed part of a system of weights used extensively for trade and commerce before the widespread adoption of the metric system.
History
The Kati, like the Tola and Masha, has roots in ancient Indian systems of measurement, likely derived from the weight of specific seeds (like the Ratti). Its usage was prominent across the Indian subcontinent for centuries, particularly during the Mughal era and the British Raj, serving as a standard weight for precious metals like gold and silver, as well as other valuable commodities. Regional variations in its exact mass sometimes occurred. With the official metrication of India in the mid-20th century, the Kati, along with other traditional units, gradually fell out of common usage in official trade, though its legacy persists.
Common Uses
Historically, the Kati was primarily used for:
- Weighing Precious Metals: It was a standard unit for measuring gold and silver bullion and jewelry.
- Trade: Used in local markets for weighing spices, grains, or other goods, although larger units like the Seer or Maund were more common for bulk items.
- Traditional Medicine: Potentially used for measuring ingredients in Ayurvedic or other traditional formulations, though smaller units like Masha or Ratti were often preferred for precision.
Unit FAQs
How many grams are in a Kati?
A Kati, when considered equivalent to the standard Tola, is equal to exactly 11.6638038 grams (based on the Tola being 180 grains). It is often rounded to 11.664 grams for practical purposes. Note that minor historical or regional variations might exist.
Is Kati related to the Chinese Catty?
No, despite the similar name, the Indian Kati (~11.66 grams) is entirely distinct from the Catty (also sometimes spelled Kati) used in East and Southeast Asia. The Chinese Catty is a much larger unit, typically around 600 grams (though its value also varies by region, e.g., ~604.8g in Malaysia/Singapore). They are unrelated units from different traditional systems.
Is Kati commonly used today?
The Kati is not commonly used in everyday trade or official measurements in India today, having been largely replaced by the gram and kilogram. However, the term might still be recognized or occasionally used in very specific traditional contexts, such as by older generations, in rural markets, or within the traditional jewelry trade, often interchangeably with 'Tola'.
Kati (India) Conversion Formulas
To Kilogram:
To Gram:
To Milligram:
To Pound:
To Ounce:
To Stone:
To Ton (metric):
To Ton (US):
To Ton (UK):
To Microgram:
To Carat:
To Slug:
To Troy Ounce:
To Pennyweight:
To Grain:
To Dram:
To Quintal:
To Atomic Mass Unit:
To Pavan (India):
To Masha (India):
To Dina (India):
To Pras (India):
To Lota (India):
Convert Kati (India)
Need to convert Kati (India) to other weight units? Use our conversion tool.