Convert Grain (gr) to Pennyweight (pwt) instantly.
About these units
Grain (gr)
The grain, defined as exactly 64.79891 milligrams, is one of the oldest units of mass still in limited use today. Derived from the weight of average cereal grains such as barley or wheat, it became a universal tiny unit used across Europe for coins, medicine, and gunpowder. The grain persists in firearms and ammunition manufacturing because bullet weights are still listed in grains (e.g., a "150-grain bullet"). Reloaders and ballistic engineers rely on the grain as a fine unit suitable for measuring powder charges and projectile masses. It is also used in traditional gold and silver transactions, linking it to the troy system. The grain's longevity highlights how ancient agrarian measures can remain embedded in modern technological practices.
Pennyweight (pwt)
The pennyweight, equal to 1/20 of a troy ounce or 1.55517384 grams, is a unit used primarily in the precious metals and jewelry industries. Its origins lie in medieval English coinage, when the weight of silver pennies provided a practical standard for small masses. Jewelers continue to use the pennyweight because many traditional pricing structures and metalworking conventions are built around troy-based subdivisions. For gold, silver, and dental alloys, the pennyweight remains easier to work with than grams due to long-established norms. Even though the metric system is now dominant scientifically, the pennyweight persists because industries tied to history—especially those involving money and precious goods—tend to maintain deeply rooted practices.