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Chinese weights and measure have changed in history in both name and in value.

Weights: Traditional units of weight in the modern era are jīn, liǎng, qián, and fēn. In the People’s Republic of China, one jīn, now for convenience of calculation is set at 500 g, is divided into 16 liǎng. One liǎng is divided into ten qián, and one qián into 10 fēn. One dan, a measure no longer used, is 120 jīn. The metric equivalents of these units have varied over the centuries. In ancient times (e.g., Hàn Dynasty), jīn and liǎng were the main units of weight; there was no qián or fēn. One liǎng was divided into 12 zhū.

Measures: Traditional units of volume are now virtually obsolete. The basic unit is the shēng. One shēng is a tenth of a dǒu (also called dipper) and is divided into ten gě. In ancient times, there was also a qián-spoon and square-inch spoon.

Modern Weights Conversion Table

PRC Metric Equivalent

• 1 jīn 斤: 500.00 g
• 1 liǎng 两: 31.25 g
• 1 qián 钱: 3.12 g
• 1 fēn 分: 3.12 g

Close Metric Equivalent

• 1 jīn 斤: 600.00 g
• 1 liǎng 两: 37.50 g
• 1 qián 钱: 3.75 g
• 1 fēn 分: 0.375 g

Weights and Measures Through the Dynasties
Period	Gram (g) equivalents of liǎng	Milliliter (ml) equivalents of shēng
Zhōu, 1066–221 BCE	14.18g	193.7ml
Qín, 221–206 BCE	16.14g	342.5ml
Western Hàn, 206 BCE–23 CE	16.14g	342.5 ml
Eastern Hàn, 25–220	13.92g	198.1 ml
Wèi, 220–265	13.92g	202.3 ml
Jìn, 265–420	13.92g	202.3 ml
Liú Sòng, Nán Qí, 420–589	20.88	297.2 ml
Liáng (Southern Dynasties)	13.92g	198.1 ml
Chén	13.92g	198.1 ml
Northern Wèi, 386–581 (Northern Dynasties)	13.92g	396.3 ml
Northern Qí, 581–618	27.84g	396.3 ml
Northern Zhōu	15.66g	10.5 ml
Suí (Kāihuáng) 581–618	41.76g	594.4 ml
Suí (Dàyè)	13.92g	198.1 ml
Táng, 618–907	37.30g	594.4
Five Dynasties, 907–968	37.30g	594.4 ml
Sòng, 960–1279	37.30g	664.1 ml
Yuán, 1279–1368	37.30g	948.8 ml
Míng, 1361–1644	37.30	1073.7 ml
Qīng, 1644–1911	37.30g	1035.5 ml

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