Why does the UK use stone?

Q: Why does the UK use stone?

It's a strong tradition! The UK maintains imperial units for body weight. This is a cultural preference, even as most of the world uses the metric system. It is deeply ingrained in everyday conversation. However, it is important to clarify that "stone" as a unit of weight (like 13 stone) is not used for measuring physical materials. You would never measure kitchen worktops in "stones" of weight. Those are measured in units like meters or feet for length. Material weight might be in kilograms, but not the "stone" unit of mass.

It’s a strong tradition! The UK maintains imperial units for body weight. This is a cultural preference, even as most of the world uses the metric system. It is deeply ingrained in everyday conversation. However, it is important to clarify that “stone” as a unit of weight (like 13 stone) is not used for measuring physical materials.

You would never measure kitchen worktops in “stones” of weight. Those are measured in units like meters or feet for length. Material weight might be in kilograms, but not the “stone” unit of mass.