Pence vs. Cent: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 3, 2023
"Pence" is the plural of "penny" and is used to describe a unit of currency in the United Kingdom. "Cent" is a unit of currency in the United States and many other countries, and it is one-hundredth of a dollar.
Key Differences
Pence is used in the United Kingdom as a unit of currency that is a division of the British pound. Cent is employed in the United States and other countries that use the dollar, functioning as a subdivision of the dollar itself.
In terms of monetary value, one pence is 1/100th of a British pound. Similarly, one cent is 1/100th of a dollar. The basic mathematical principle is the same, although the parent currencies are different.
While pence is considered the plural form of the British "penny," "cent" remains unchanged in both singular and plural forms. The term "cents" is used to signify multiple units of "cent," adding an extra layer of grammatical distinction between the two terms.
In everyday parlance, pence is often used in discussions about prices or costs in the UK. Cent is equally ubiquitous in daily transactions in countries like the United States, especially in dialogue concerning low-cost items.
From a linguistic point of view, "pence" can sometimes be confusing because it serves as both singular and plural, depending on the context. "Cent," however, maintains more straightforward grammatical rules, being consistent in its singular and plural forms ("cent" and "cents").
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Comparison Chart
Country of Use
United Kingdom
United States and others
Parent Currency
British Pound
Dollar
Plurality
Both Singular and Plural
Singular (Plural is "Cents")
Fractional Value
1/100th of a Pound
1/100th of a Dollar
Everyday Usage
Common in the UK
Common in the US
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Pence and Cent Definitions
Pence
Plural of penny
He has five pence in his pocket.
Cent
Part of dollar-based currency systems
Cents are used in multiple countries.
Pence
Part of the British currency system
Pence is a subdivision of the pound.
Cent
Used in everyday language
I found a cent on the street.
Pence
A British monetary unit
A candy bar costs 50 pence.
Cent
Smallest subdivision of the U.S. dollar
One dollar is equal to 100 cents.
Pence
Commonly used in retail pricing
The tag said the price was 99 pence.
Cent
A U.S. monetary unit
A stamp costs 55 cents.
Pence
Used in everyday language
I need to find some pence for the parking meter.
Cent
Commonly used in retail pricing
The item is priced at 99 cents.
Pence
A plural of penny1.
Cent
A unit of currency equal to 1/100 of various currencies, including the US dollar and the euro.
Pence
Plural of penny(the subunit of the pound sterling or Irish pound).
Cent
(money) A subunit of currency equal to one-hundredth of the main unit of currency in many countries. Symbol: ¢.
Cent
(informal) A small sum of money.
He blew every last cent.
Cent
(money) A subunit of currency equal to one-hundredth of the euro.
Cent
(money) A coin having face value of one cent (in either of the above senses).
Cent
(music) A hundredth of a semitone or half step.
Cent
(nuclear physics) A unit of reactivity equal to one hundredth of a dollar.
Cent
Abbreviation of century
Cent
Abbreviation of centumOne hundred.
Cent
Abbreviation of centigrade
Cent
Abbreviation of center
Cent
A hundred; as, ten per cent, the proportion of ten parts in a hundred.
Cent
A United States coin, the hundredth part of a dollar, formerly made of copper, now of copper, tin, and zinc.
Cent
An old game at cards, supposed to be like piquet; - so called because 100 points won the game.
Cent
A fractional monetary unit of several countries
Cent
A coin worth one-hundredth of the value of the basic unit
FAQs
Is cent plural or singular?
Cent is singular, and the plural form is "cents."
How is pence abbreviated?
Pence is commonly abbreviated as "p."
What is pence?
Pence is a unit of currency in the United Kingdom, a subdivision of the British pound.
Is pence used in formal settings?
Yes, pence is used in both formal and informal settings in the UK.
Is pence plural or singular?
Pence can serve as both plural and singular, depending on the context.
What is cent?
Cent is a unit of currency in the United States, a subdivision of the dollar.
Is pence used outside the UK?
Pence is primarily associated with the British currency system.
Is cent used outside the U.S.?
Yes, cent is used in other countries that also have a dollar-based currency.
What is the value of a pence?
One pence is 1/100th of a British pound.
Are pence and cent equivalents?
No, they are parts of different currency systems.
What's the plural of cent?
The plural form of cent is "cents."
Is cent used in formal settings?
Yes, cent is used in both formal and informal settings in the U.S. and other countries that use dollars.
How is cent abbreviated?
Cent is commonly abbreviated as "¢."
What is the value of a cent?
One cent is 1/100th of a dollar.
What's the plural of pence?
Pence itself can serve as both singular and plural.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
