Cent vs. Penny — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 11, 2024
A cent is a monetary unit, while a penny is a specific coin representing one cent in the U.S.
Difference Between Cent and Penny
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A cent is the basic monetary unit in various countries, representing one hundredth of a basic unit like the dollar or euro. On the other hand, a penny specifically refers to a coin worth one cent in the United States and previously in other countries before decimalization.
While the term "cent" is used universally in countries that have adopted decimal currency systems to denote one hundredth of the base currency, the penny holds historical and cultural significance in countries like the UK and the US, representing the physical manifestation of the cent.
The usage of "cent" is more formal and is often seen in financial transactions, pricing, and economic discussions. In contrast, "penny" carries a more colloquial tone, frequently used in everyday conversation and phrases like "a penny for your thoughts."
In electronic transactions and digital displays, amounts are typically denoted in cents without reference to the penny, emphasizing the cent's role in abstract financial representation. Conversely, the penny remains a tangible symbol of minimal monetary value, often used in teaching concepts of money to children.
In countries other than the US, such as in the Eurozone, the term "cent" refers to coins and monetary units without a direct equivalent to the "penny," highlighting the unique position of the penny in American currency.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A unit of currency equal to 1/100 of a dollar or other basic unit.
A coin representing one cent in the US.
Usage
Universal in decimal currency systems.
Specific to countries like the US and historically in the UK.
Tone
Formal and financial.
Colloquial and everyday.
Representation
Both abstract (in transactions) and tangible (as coins).
Tangibly represented by a specific coin.
Geographic Usage
Used in many countries with decimal currencies.
Mainly used in the US and historically in other countries before decimalization.
Compare with Definitions
Cent
A unit of currency that is one hundredth of a base unit.
In the United States, 100 cents make up one dollar.
Penny
A coin worth one cent in the United States.
He gave her a penny for her thoughts.
Cent
Can be used abstractly in financial discussions.
The stock value increased by 50 cents.
Penny
Can represent minimal monetary value.
That's just my two pennies' worth on the issue.
Cent
Used to denote fractional monetary values.
The item is priced at 99 cents.
Penny
Historically used in the UK before decimalization.
The old British penny was much larger than the current one.
Cent
Appears in various currencies around the world.
The euro is divided into 100 cents.
Penny
Often used in expressions to denote small amounts.
A penny saved is a penny earned.
Cent
Represented by specific coins in each country.
In the Eurozone, 2 euros are equivalent to 200 cents.
Penny
Used in educational contexts to teach currency.
The teacher used pennies to explain basic math.
Cent
A unit of currency equal to 1/100 of various currencies, including the US dollar and the euro.
Penny
A penny is a coin (pl. pennies) or a unit of currency (pl.
Cent
(money) A subunit of currency equal to one-hundredth of the main unit of currency in many countries. Symbol: ¢.
Penny
In the United States and Canada, the coin that is worth one cent.
Cent
(informal) A small sum of money.
He blew every last cent.
Penny
Abbr. p. A coin used in Great Britain since 1971, worth 1/100 of a pound. Also called new penny.
Cent
(money) A subunit of currency equal to one-hundredth of the euro.
Penny
Abbr. d. A coin formerly used in Great Britain, worth 1/12 of a shilling or 1/240 of a pound.
Cent
(money) A coin having face value of one cent (in either of the above senses).
Penny
A coin formerly used in the Republic of Ireland, worth 1/100 of a pound.
Cent
(music) A hundredth of a semitone or half step.
Penny
A coin used in various dependent territories of the United Kingdom.
Cent
(nuclear physics) A unit of reactivity equal to one hundredth of a dollar.
Penny
Any of various coins of small denomination.
Cent
Abbreviation of century
Penny
A sum of money.
Cent
Abbreviation of centumOne hundred.
Penny
Variant of pinny.
Cent
Abbreviation of centigrade
Penny
(Informal) A pinafore.
Cent
Abbreviation of center
Penny
Or penny(Sports) One of a set of uniformly colored, usually sleeveless shirts worn as a temporary team uniform, as when scrimmaging.
Cent
A hundred; as, ten per cent, the proportion of ten parts in a hundred.
Penny
(historical) In the United Kingdom and Ireland, a unit of currency worth 240 of a pound sterling or Irish pound before decimalisation, or a copper coin worth this amount. Abbreviation: d.
Cent
A United States coin, the hundredth part of a dollar, formerly made of copper, now of copper, tin, and zinc.
Penny
In the United Kingdom, a unit of currency worth 100 of a pound sterling, or a copper coin worth this amount. Abbreviation: p.
Cent
An old game at cards, supposed to be like piquet; - so called because 100 points won the game.
Penny
(historical) In Ireland, a coin worth 100 of an Irish pound before the introduction of the euro. Abbreviation: p.
Cent
A fractional monetary unit of several countries
Penny
In the US and (formerly) Canada, a one-cent coin, worth 100 of a dollar. Abbreviation: ¢.
Cent
A coin worth one-hundredth of the value of the basic unit
Penny
In various countries, a small-denomination copper or brass coin.
Penny
A unit of nail size, said to be either the cost per 100 nails, or the number of nails per penny. Abbreviation: d.
Penny
Money in general.
To turn an honest penny
Penny
(slang) To jam a door shut by inserting pennies between the doorframe and the door.
Zach and Ben had only been at college for a week when their door was pennied by the girls down the hall.
Penny
(electronics) To circumvent the tripping of an electrical circuit breaker by the dangerous practice of inserting a coin in place of a fuse in a fuse socket.
Penny
(Oxbridge slang) During a meal or as part of a drinking game, to drop a penny in a person's drink such that they must finish it (or some such variation thereof); commonly associated with crewdates at Oxford and swaps at Cambridge.
Penny
Denoting the weight in pounds for one thousand; - used in combination, with respect to nails; as, tenpenny nails, nails of which one thousand weight ten pounds.
Penny
Worth or costing one penny; as, penny candy.
Penny
A former English coin, originally of copper, then of bronze, the twelfth part of an English shilling in account value, and equal to four farthings, or about two cents; - usually indicated by the abbreviation d. (the initial of denarius).
Penny
Any small sum or coin; a groat; a stiver.
Penny
Money, in general; as, to turn an honest penny.
What penny hath Rome borne,What men provided, what munition sent?
Penny
See Denarius.
Penny
A fractional monetary unit of Ireland and the United Kingdom; equal to one hundredth of a pound
Penny
A coin worth one-hundredth of the value of the basic unit
Common Curiosities
Can "cent" and "penny" be used interchangeably?
In the context of American currency, they often are, but "cent" is more formal and universal.
Why is the penny called so?
The name comes from the Old English "pening," which was a type of coin.
Do all countries use the term "cent"?
Many countries with decimalized currencies use "cent" to denote one hundredth of the basic unit.
Is the penny still in use?
Yes, in the US, pennies are still in circulation.
Are cent and penny the same?
The cent is a unit of currency, while the penny is a physical coin representing one cent in the US.
What is a cent?
A cent is a monetary unit equal to one hundredth of a base unit like the dollar or euro.
How do electronic transactions represent cents?
Amounts are digitally displayed in cents without necessarily mentioning pennies.
What is a penny?
A penny is a coin worth one cent, specifically in the United States.
What countries have pennies?
Currently, the United States uses pennies, while countries like the UK have historical use.
What materials are pennies made of?
US pennies are primarily made of zinc, coated with copper.
How many cents are in a dollar?
There are 100 cents in a dollar.
Are cents and pennies only used in currencies?
Primarily, yes, though they appear in expressions and idioms reflecting value or thoughts.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
