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Old-Time English Weights and Measures Chart (Firkin, Hogshead, and Coomb)

English Weights and Measures

Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Ever wondered what a firkin, hogshead, or coomb actually means? These old-time English weights and measures were commonly used for crops, grains, and liquids before modern measurement systems took over. This chart from The Old Farmer’s Almanac helps convert traditional units into modern-day equivalents and offers a glimpse into historic farming and trade practices.

Bushel Weights for Common Crops

CropWeight per Bushel
Apples60 pounds
Beans52 pounds
Beets24 pounds
Carrots56 pounds
Flour55 pounds
Onions54 pounds
Parsnips45 pounds
Potatoes50 pounds
String Beans60 pounds
Sweet Potatoes60 pounds
Tomatoes48 pounds
Turnips196 pounds (1 barrel)

These weights helped farmers and merchants standardize crop sales and transportation.

Old English Liquid Measures

MeasurementEquivalent
1 gill1/2 cup
1 pottle2 quarts
1 firkin9 gallons
1 anker10 gallons
1 runlet18 gallons
1 tierce42 gallons
1 hogshead63 gallons
1 puncheon84 gallons
1 butt126 gallons

These units were often used for beer, wine, cider, oils, and other stored liquids.

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Traditional Grain and Storage Measurements

MeasurementEquivalent
1 coomb4 bushels
1 wey40 bushels
1 last80 bushels

These larger measurements were used for grain storage, shipping, and trade across regions and countries.

What Do Firkin, Hogshead, and Coomb Mean?

  • Firkin – A small barrel typically holding about 9 gallons, often used for beer or ale.
  • Hogshead – A large cask holding about 63 gallons, commonly used for wine or tobacco.
  • Coomb – A grain measurement equal to 4 bushels, used in farming and storage.

These terms may sound unusual today, but they were once everyday language in markets and farms.

Why Old Measurements Still Matter

Historic measurements like firkins and bushels are still referenced today in:

  • farming and agriculture history
  • brewing and cider-making traditions
  • historical research and literature
  • old recipes and trade records
  • educational materials and museums

Understanding these units helps connect modern readers to traditional farming and trade practices.

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About The Author
Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann is the Executive Digital Editor of Almanac.com, the website companion of The Old Farmer's Almanac. She covers gardening, plants, pest control, soil composition, seasonal and moon c...
Read More from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Amy Barker</span> Wed, 11/25/2020 - 10:45
My best guess for term "do." is for "dash of". Such as two "dashes of" cinnamon.
<span>Sarah B</span> Sat, 07/11/2020 - 22:42
Hello, I noticed a previous comment was asking about a Do. I am also looking for a measurement for do. As in one do. of butter, three do. currants, 2 do. cream tartar, etc. If it helps, it's a Southern cookery book from the 1860s.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 07/13/2020 - 16:12

Could it be an abbreviation for "ditto"? For example, if ingredients were listed as

1 tsp. salt
2 do. cream of tartar
3 do. cinnamon

. . . then perhaps this was indicating "2 tsps. cream of tartar" and "3 tsps. cinnamon"?

"Ditto" is sometimes abbreviated as "do." -- so perhaps it is a possibility if the first ingredient listed in your sources always is a defined measurement type (such as teaspoons). Hope this helps!

 <span>Tammy Carpenter</span> Thu, 05/21/2020 - 14:15
What is 1 peck of apples?
<span>James Nichols</span> Sun, 06/26/2022 - 13:55
A peck is one fourth of a bushel
<span>Mary Ann Machi</span> Fri, 04/26/2019 - 13:36
I'm trying to find out how much a barrel, a keg, a firkin, and a box of butter would weigh (or the volume of). I believe a barrel is about 200 pounds, and a firkin a quarter of that. I'm researching products shipped by steamer in the late 1800s in Northern California. Any assistance much appreciated. Thank you
<span>Shane Lowrey</span> Sun, 03/17/2019 - 17:30
My grandmother always reminded us, "a pint's a pound, the world around." It worked for both volume (liquid) and weight measures.
<span>Robert Mcconnell</span> Fri, 03/08/2019 - 15:00
Thank you for helping me.
<span>B.baker</span> Fri, 02/22/2019 - 20:01
MY FRIEND SAID SHE HAD HER GRANDMOTHERS OLD COOKBOOK...WE ARE IN OUR MID 70;S, SO COOKBOOK MAY BE QUITE OLD. SHE CAME ACROSS THE WORD "BLUB"....THAT IS B L U B....( NOT BULB). DOES IT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH A BARRELL MEASUREMENT??
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 02/25/2019 - 15:21

Hello B. Baker. We're sorry to inform you that we do not have mention of "blubs" in our archives.