Often used in trade and commerce, a “gross” is a fascinating unit of measure that signifies a dozen dozens, or 144 items. This term has its roots in the French word “grosse douzaine,” which translates to “large dozen.” Widely used in industries like the printing and manufacturing of items such as pencils or eggs, this unit provides an efficient way to manage and standardize bulk quantities.
A captivating use of the gross came from its influence on “gross income” or “gross profit,” reflecting on the idea of a total before deductions. This unit’s consistency simplifies accounting and inventory, and its history is a testament to the practicality needed in the global development of trade practices.
The concept of a dozen, representing the number 12, dates back to ancient civilizations, where it was favored for its divisibility. Twelve can be divided evenly into halves, thirds, and quarters, making it extremely useful for trade and distribution. This efficiency explains its prominence in selling items like eggs, pastries, and even flowers, which are often still grouped in dozens today.
Interestingly, the dozen has transcended its original purpose to influence language and culture. Expressions such as “a baker’s dozen,” which refers to 13, emerged from the medieval practice where bakers would add an extra loaf to a batch of 12 to avoid penalties for selling underweight bread. Through such trivia, the dozen showcases its significant role in both commerce and everyday life.
| Gross | Dozens |
|---|---|
0
gros
|
0
doz
|
0.5
gros
|
6
doz
|
1
gros
|
12
doz
|
1.5
gros
|
18
doz
|
2
gros
|
24
doz
|
2.5
gros
|
30
doz
|
3
gros
|
36
doz
|
3.5
gros
|
42
doz
|
4
gros
|
48
doz
|
4.5
gros
|
54
doz
|
5
gros
|
60
doz
|
5.5
gros
|
66
doz
|
6
gros
|
72
doz
|
6.5
gros
|
78
doz
|
7
gros
|
84
doz
|
7.5
gros
|
90
doz
|
8
gros
|
96
doz
|
8.5
gros
|
102
doz
|
9
gros
|
108
doz
|
9.5
gros
|
114
doz
|
10
gros
|
120
doz
|
10.5
gros
|
126
doz
|
11
gros
|
132
doz
|
11.5
gros
|
138
doz
|
12
gros
|
144
doz
|
12.5
gros
|
150
doz
|
13
gros
|
156
doz
|
13.5
gros
|
162
doz
|
14
gros
|
168
doz
|
14.5
gros
|
174
doz
|
15
gros
|
180
doz
|
15.5
gros
|
186
doz
|
16
gros
|
192
doz
|
16.5
gros
|
198
doz
|
17
gros
|
204
doz
|
17.5
gros
|
210
doz
|
18
gros
|
216
doz
|
18.5
gros
|
222
doz
|
19
gros
|
228
doz
|
19.5
gros
|
234
doz
|
20
gros
|
240
doz
|
20.5
gros
|
246
doz
|
21
gros
|
252
doz
|
21.5
gros
|
258
doz
|
22
gros
|
264
doz
|
22.5
gros
|
270
doz
|
23
gros
|
276
doz
|
23.5
gros
|
282
doz
|
24
gros
|
288
doz
|
24.5
gros
|
294
doz
|
25
gros
|
300
doz
|
25.5
gros
|
306
doz
|
26
gros
|
312
doz
|
26.5
gros
|
318
doz
|
27
gros
|
324
doz
|
27.5
gros
|
330
doz
|
28
gros
|
336
doz
|
28.5
gros
|
342
doz
|
29
gros
|
348
doz
|
29.5
gros
|
354
doz
|
30
gros
|
360
doz
|
30.5
gros
|
366
doz
|
31
gros
|
372
doz
|
31.5
gros
|
378
doz
|
32
gros
|
384
doz
|
32.5
gros
|
390
doz
|
33
gros
|
396
doz
|
33.5
gros
|
402
doz
|
34
gros
|
408
doz
|
34.5
gros
|
414
doz
|
35
gros
|
420
doz
|
35.5
gros
|
426
doz
|
36
gros
|
432
doz
|
36.5
gros
|
438
doz
|
37
gros
|
444
doz
|
37.5
gros
|
450
doz
|
38
gros
|
456
doz
|
38.5
gros
|
462
doz
|
39
gros
|
468
doz
|
39.5
gros
|
474
doz
|
40
gros
|
480
doz
|
40.5
gros
|
486
doz
|
41
gros
|
492
doz
|
41.5
gros
|
498
doz
|
42
gros
|
504
doz
|
42.5
gros
|
510
doz
|
43
gros
|
516
doz
|
43.5
gros
|
522
doz
|
44
gros
|
528
doz
|
44.5
gros
|
534
doz
|
45
gros
|
540
doz
|
45.5
gros
|
546
doz
|
46
gros
|
552
doz
|
46.5
gros
|
558
doz
|
47
gros
|
564
doz
|
47.5
gros
|
570
doz
|
48
gros
|
576
doz
|
48.5
gros
|
582
doz
|
49
gros
|
588
doz
|
49.5
gros
|
594
doz
|
50
gros
|
600
doz
|
If you like the website, share it on social media.