Mass & Weight Units Explained: Kilograms, Pounds, Tola, Vori, and Maund
A complete breakdown of precious metal weights (Tola, Vori, Anna, Ratti) and agricultural bulk weights (Maund, Mon, Quintal, Ton).
Convert Kilograms, Pounds, Ounces, Grams, Metric Tons, Stones, and Milligrams.
Why Traditional Mass Units Still Matter
Even though the Kilogram is the official SI unit across Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, everyday commerce still runs on centuries-old measures. Jewelers quote gold in Vori and Tola, wholesale grain markets price produce by the Maund, and international trade documents convert everything into Pounds or Metric Tons. Mixing these systems up — even by a small rounding error — can mean paying thousands of taka or rupees more than you should on a gold purchase, or misreporting a harvest weight by hundreds of kilograms. This guide breaks down the exact ratios so you can convert with confidence.
Precious Metals & Gold Measurement Units (Vori / Tola System)
In South Asia, gold, silver, and jewelry transactions are calculated in Vori (Bhori) or Tola rather than grams, even though the receipt or hallmark certificate may list both.
Formula to Convert Vori to Grams
*Example:* A jeweler quotes a necklace at 2.5 Vori:
Formula to Convert Grams to Vori
Agricultural Bulk Mass Units (Maund / Mon / Quintal)
Farmers, rice mills, and wholesale commodity markets use traditional bulk measures that vary slightly by country and even by local market convention:
Formula to Convert Maund to Kilograms
*Example:* A rice trader buys 15 Maund of paddy:
Quick Reference Conversion Table
| Unit | In Grams | In Kilograms | In Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Ratti | 0.1215 g | 0.0001215 kg | 0.000268 lb |
| 1 Anna | 0.729 g | 0.000729 kg | 0.001608 lb |
| 1 Vori (Tola) | 11.6638 g | 0.0116638 kg | 0.02572 lb |
| 1 Kilogram | 1,000 g | 1 kg | 2.20462 lb |
| 1 Maund (standard) | 37,324.2 g | 37.3242 kg | 82.28 lb |
| 1 Quintal | 100,000 g | 100 kg | 220.46 lb |
| 1 Metric Ton | 1,000,000 g | 1,000 kg | 2,204.62 lb |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 1 Tola the same as 1 Vori?
Yes. Tola and Vori (also spelled Bhori) refer to the same unit of 11.6638 grams and are used interchangeably across Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Nepal, though regional pronunciation differs.
Why do gold shops sometimes use a slightly different Vori value?
Some local jewelers round to 11.664 g or 11.6 g for quick mental math. For legal weighing and hallmark certification, always use the precise 11.6638 g figure.
Which Maund should I use — 37.3242 kg or 40 kg?
Use 37.3242 kg for the legally standardized Bangladesh/India Maund. The 40 kg "commercial Mon" is a colloquial rounding used in some local markets — confirm with the buyer or seller before finalizing a trade based on it.