Chinese units of measurement
Traditional Han Chinese measurement system, still used in modified forms.
Chinese units of measurement, known in Chinese as the shìzhì or "market system," are the traditional units of the Han Chinese. While Chinese numerals have been decimal since the Shang dynasty, several of these measures use a hexadecimal base. Local applications varied historically, but successive Chinese dynasties typically proclaimed standard measurements and recorded their predecessors' systems in their official histories. Legendary origins are attributed to the Yellow Emperor, who is said to have created the first units, and to Yu the Great, who unified length measurements after earlier human-body-based units caused inconsistency. Shang dynasty tombs have yielded rulers with decimal units. During the Zhou dynasty, measurement units became inconsistent among states, but Qin Shi Huang later standardized them after unifying China. The Han dynasty documented these systematically in the *Book of Han*. In the modern era, the People's Republic of China maintains some customary units based on the market system but standardized to round metric values, such as the jin (catty) of exactly 500 grams. The Chinese name for most metric units derives from the closest traditional unit; the word "market" (shì) specifies the traditional unit, while "common" or "public" (gōng) indicates the metric value. Taiwan standardized its traditional units to Japanese values and their metric conversion, as with the Taiwanese ping of about 3.306 square meters. Hong Kong continues to use its traditional units, legally defined by local equations with metric units. Small units of length, area, and mass share the names lí and fēn, though they refer to different magnitudes depending on the context.
- Origin
- Legendary Yellow Emperor; unified by Yu the Great
- System type
- Traditional, decimal and hexadecimal bases
- Modern status
- Legal for trade in PRC, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau
Lore & Background
According to the Liji, the legendary Yellow Emperor created the first measurement units. The Xiao Erya and the Kongzi Jiayu state that length units were derived from the human body. The Records of the Grand Historian notes that these human body units caused inconsistency, and Yu the Great unified length measurements. Rulers with decimal units have been unearthed from Shang dynasty tombs. In the Zhou dynasty, measurement units became inconsistent from state to state. After the Warring States period, Qin Shi Huang unified China and later standardized measurement units. The Han dynasty documented these measurements systematically in the Book of Han.
Reader's Guide
Chinese units of measurement, known as the shìzhì or "market system," have been integral to Han Chinese society for millennia, with their origins rooted in legend and their use persisting into the modern era. Behaviorally, the system demonstrates a notable blend of decimal and non-decimal bases: while Chinese numerals have been decimal since the Shang dynasty, several traditional measures employ hexadecimal (base-16) divisions. Ecologically, the system has adapted to regional and political changes; local applications varied historically, but successive dynasties typically proclaimed standard measurements and recorded predecessors’ systems in their histories. In the present day, the People’s Republic of China maintains customary units standardized to round metric values, such as the jin (catty) set at exactly 500 grams. The system’s significance is evident in its naming conventions: metric units are often prefixed with "gong" (public) to distinguish them from traditional "shi" (market) units, preventing confusion. The legacy extends across Chinese-speaking regions: Taiwan’s traditional units were standardized to Japanese values, Hong Kong legally defines its units based on local metric equations, and Macau permits traditional units alongside metric and imperial systems. The persistence of units like the jin, li, and mu in daily life, alongside the continued legal use of multiple measurement systems in Hong Kong and Macau, underscores the deep cultural roots and ongoing practical relevance of these ancient measures within the field of metrology and Chinese history.
Did You Know?
- Chinese numerals have been decimal since the Shang, but several Chinese measures use hexadecimal (base-16).
- The names lí and fēn are used for small units of length, area, and mass, but refer to different magnitudes.
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