catty

Various units of mass in Asia. The word is from the Malay “kati”, meaning small box (as in the English “tea caddy”).

1

In Indonesia, 20^th century, a unit of mass, approximately 617.613 grams (approximately 1.3616 pounds avoirdupois). In colonial days, the spelling kati (plural katies) was used.

United Nations, 1966.

2

In China and North Borneo, 1 ¹/₃ pounds avoirdupois. Also called a tael or gin.

Káti, commonly, Catty, Malay () A weight in general use throughout the Archipelago, and extending to China; 100 kátis are equal to one pikal of 133½ lb. avoirdupois and each is therefore equal to 2 1/3 ounces or 1 1/3 lb.; it contains 16 Tél, or, commonly, Tale : it varies in value in some of the islands.

H. H. Wilson, 1855, page 268.

3

In Thailand, 20^th century, = ½ chang = 600 grams.

Statistical Office of the United Nations in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
World Weights and Measures. Handbook for Statisticians. Provisional Edition.
Statistical Papers: Series M, No. 21.
New York: United Nations, 1955.

4

An FAO publication states: “100 tai cattles = 60 Kg.” We interpret this as clerical errors distorting “100 Taiwanese catties = 60 kg,” that is, the catty in Taiwan is 600 grams.

Technical Conversion Factors…, 1972, page 316.