3 of 5

Write now Article Tools

The bushel began as part of a system (British Imperial) for measuring commodities such as corn by volume rather than weight. The system incorporated some measurements familiar today for measuring liquids:

4 gills = 1pint
2 pints = 1 quart

4 quarts or
8 pints = 1 gallon

2 gallons = 1 peck

4 pecks or
8 gallons = 1 BUSHEL

8 bushels = 1 quarter

Measuring by volume rather than weight may seem strange, but the weight of corn, for example, may reduce as it dries out, so the idea has its merits.

In the British Imperial system, which differs slightly from the American system, a bushel was equal to 36.4 liters.

Pints, quarts and gallons are still in current usage, but gills, pecks, bushels and quarters are considered archaic terms now and few younger people have come across them. However they are found in old documents so it is still useful to know them.

Learn more about this author, Mark Hopkins.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about How much is a bushel?
We want to hear your view. Write now!