Unit Converter
Convert From US Tons to Metric Tons and Vice Versa
US Tons ↔ Metric Tons (Tonnes)
Type in either US tons or metric tons — it’ll convert to the other automatically!
⚖️ What is a US Ton (Short Ton)?
A US ton—also called a short ton—is equal to 2,000 pounds or approximately 907.1847 kilograms. It’s commonly used in the United States for measuring heavy objects like vehicles, freight, and industrial loads.
📐 What is a Metric Tonne (tonne)?
A metric tonne (also called a “tonne” and spelled with an extra “ne”) is part of the metric system. One tonne equals 1,000 kilograms or approximately 2,204.62 pounds. It is the standard unit of mass used worldwide in shipping, agriculture, and scientific fields.
🧠 Quick Comparison
| Unit | Equivalent | Used In |
|---|---|---|
| 1 US Ton (short ton) | 907.1847 kg | United States (industry, shipping) |
| 1 Metric Tonne (tonne) | 1,000 kg | Global (trade, logistics, science) |
🧮 How to Convert
US Tons to Tonnes: tonnes = tons × 0.9071847
Tonnes to US Tons: tons = tonnes ÷ 0.9071847
Example:
5 US tons × 0.9071847 = 4.536 tonnes
💡 Pro Tip
Always check if the unit is “US ton” or “metric tonne” in international shipping documents—mistaking one for the other could result in major weight miscalculations!
🎉 Did You Know?
The word “tonne” (with two “n”s) is from French and was introduced to support metrication in Europe. It’s 10% heavier than a US ton!
🚛 Real-World Examples
- 1 US Ton – A small car
- 5 tonnes – Weight of a mature elephant 🐘
- 10 tonnes – Average shipping container fully loaded
- 100 tonnes – Commercial airplane at takeoff
📊 US Tons to Metric Tonnes Conversion Chart
| US Tons | Metric Tonnes |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.9072 |
| 2 | 1.8144 |
| 5 | 4.536 |
| 10 | 9.072 |
| 20 | 18.144 |
| 50 | 45.36 |
| 100 | 90.72 |
📜 Timeline: Ton vs Tonne
- 18th Century: “Ton” based on barrels of wine in UK shipping trade
- 1850s: “Metric Tonne” introduced in France with the metric system
- Today: US still uses short tons, while most of the world uses metric tonnes
🌍 When to Use US Tons vs Metric Tonnes
- 🚢 US Tons: Common in the U.S. for domestic freight, construction, and agriculture
- 📦 Tonnes: Used globally in shipping manifests, logistics, climate science, and industry