Calculators & everyday math
Metric Tonnes vs. US and UK Tons
“A ton” can mean three different weights depending on who is speaking: 2,000 pounds in the United States, 2,240 pounds in traditional British use, or 1,000 kilograms in the metric system. The gaps are big enough to matter for freight, materials, and statistics.
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Three different tons
| Ton | Pounds | Kilograms |
|---|---|---|
| Metric tonne | 2,204.622622 | 1,000 |
| US short ton | 2,000 | 907.18474 |
| UK long ton | 2,240 | 1,016.046909 |
How big the differences are
- A metric tonne is about 10.23% heavier than a US short ton.
- A UK long ton is about 1.6% heavier than a metric tonne.
- A UK long ton is exactly 12% heavier than a US short ton.
Where each one is used
- The metric tonne is the standard in most countries, in international trade, and in science.
- The US short ton is the usual “ton” in the United States.
- The UK long ton is mostly historical, though it still appears in some shipping and older records.
Reading the word
“Tonne” almost always means the metric tonne, and Americans often call it a “metric ton”. A bare “ton” is ambiguous, so check which country or industry a figure comes from before converting it.
Tonnes vs. Tons FAQ
- Is a tonne the same as a ton?
- Not quite. A metric tonne is 1,000 kg; a US ton is 907.18474 kg and a UK long ton is 1,016.0469088 kg.
- How many pounds are in a metric tonne?
- About 2,204.622622.
- Which ton does the United States use?
- The short ton of 2,000 pounds.
- What is a long ton?
- The traditional British ton of 2,240 pounds, about 1,016 kilograms.
- How many metric tonnes are 5 US tons?
- Exactly 4.5359237 tonnes.
Related guides
- Pounds vs. KilogramsThe exact pound-to-kilogram definition, mental shortcuts in both directions, a table of common weights, and the difference between mass and weight.
- Ounces, Pounds, and StoneHow ounces, pounds, and stone fit together, how body weight in stone converts to kilograms, and why troy ounces and fluid ounces are different.
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