The hectogram represents one tenth of a kilogram. It is rarely used in scientific or engineering contexts, where grams and kilograms dominate. However, it remains a common measure for food pricing in several European countries, often used for purchasing small quantities of meat, cheese, or produce at a deli counter.
Heard on the job
I need three hectograms of prosciutto sliced as thin as you can get it.
Insider tip
In Italian and some other European languages, this unit is often clipped to simply etto when buying groceries.
Also heard as
- hg