Pao (unit)

The pao (炮) is a traditional Chinese unit of measurement, primarily used for gunpowder and other dry goods sold by weight. While not part of the modern metric system, it was historically a common unit in commerce.

The pao did not have a universally fixed weight across all regions and time periods in China. Its value varied depending on location, the specific goods being measured, and local customs. Generally, a pao was considered a relatively small quantity, often weighing between several ounces to approximately one pound. Its definition was usually linked to other local units of weight, like the jin (斤) or liang (两), with a fixed relationship to these larger units. For example, a pao might have been defined as a certain fraction of a jin.

The use of the pao has largely diminished with the adoption of the metric system and standardized weights and measures in modern China. However, the term may still be encountered in historical contexts or in some traditional practices. Because its exact weight is variable, precise conversions to modern units are often not possible without knowing the specific regional context and historical period in which it was used.