While a ton may be a big amount, a tonne sounds even bigger. Pawel Michalowski/Shutterstock
You’ve probably seen tonnes and tons in the past if you have ever read or priced cargo, or looked at a ship that was carrying bricks, coal or grain. Both words are similar but refer to two different units and systems. This small change in spelling can have a big impact on the real numbers.
Definition and origin of the Metric Tonne (or metric ton)
The tonne is also known as a mass unit equal to 1000 kilograms (2,204 pounds).
“tonne” is a word that comes from French, and it’s used by most countries to measure weight and distance. The metric system, including the tonne, became standard in science, engineering and international trade during the 20th Century.
In Imperial measurement, you will encounter two common types:
- Short ton (U.S. ton)2,000 pounds (about 907 kilograms)
- Long ton(British or imperial ton),2,240 pounds (1,016 kilograms). You will find two types of Imperial measurements:
- The short ton, or U.S. Ton: 2,000 lbs (about 907 kilograms).
- The long ton, also known as British ton : 2,240 lbs (about 1,016 kg).
Context is important when a document uses the word “ton”. U.S. reports often refer to the British short ton while older U.K. references frequently use the British short ton. NIST Handbook 44, Units and Systems of Measurement Appendices, explains the definitions. The UK Weights and Measures Act of 1985, which banned the Imperial Ton for Trade, mandated the Metric Tonne.
Fast Conversions and Equivalents
- One tonne (t), is 1,000 lb=approximately 2,204 lb.
- A short ton, (U.S. Ton) is 2,000 lb (900 kg).
- A long ton, (imperial tonne),equals 2,240 lb (1,000 kg).[196590011]
What Units Are Used?
Dockworkers check the exact placement of containers on ships. Anneka/Shutterstock
Because the metric system has become the standard for international trade, the majority of countries still use the ton. Canada may refer to the U.S. tonne in domestic contracts, but exports are measured by tonnes. In modern U.K. trade the metric ton is used, while the historical long ton appears.
Although the USA uses the short ton in domestic sales, science, medicine, and many other industries use kilograms. When it comes to surface and world logistics, the use of kilograms along with tons or tonnes can help parties from different systems compare numbers.
The word ‘ton’ can refer to mass, but it is also used to describe capacity. Tonnage in shipping can refer to volume. For example, a 100-cubic-foot register ton. The gross tonnage of a vessel is, for example, measured by register tons each measuring 100 cubic feet. NIST mentions this double use of the General Tables and units in Handbook 44. Before you use a number to calculate surface transportation limits or freight rates, make sure that it is referring to the mass of a vehicle or its capacity.
Style Notes for Terminology and Spelling
: Use ton or tonne when using the imperial system. To clarify, you can use short or long ton when using ton. To clarify,
Add the equivalent metric weight in kilograms to “ton” or “tonne”. This method reduces the confusion on contracts, bills and specifications.
Worked Examples You Can Copy
Coal cargo. Anom Harya/Shutterstock
- A ship loaded 50,000 tons of materialThis is equal to 50 million kilograms, or 55,116 short tonnes. The same manifest listing 50,000 kilograms is equal to 45,359 237 kilograms. Same surface route, different unit, different mass.
- A flatbed with bricks: An order from the U.S. calls for 2 722 kg (3 short tons) of bricks. The Canadian specification that says 3 tons is actually 3,000 kg. Although the numbers are close, they’re not identical.
- Comparing Units: 10 long tonnes of steel bars equals 10,160 kilograms (10,160 pounds). This long-ton is about 160 kg heavier than 10 tonnes.
Writing for Trade and Engineering (19659021) When measuring weights for international trade, state both the unit and the kilogram equivalent. Be aware of the systems that your reader will expect. The US commodity report uses short tons, but the international contract specifies tonnes. Tones are the standard in Canada and UK.
When writing specs, you should define all terms before using them to ensure that readers know what they mean.
The Quick Definitions:
- Tonne (metric): 1,000 kg or 2,240 lb (British Ton)
- Short ton (907 kg),: 2,000lb;
- Units from the metric systems, such as kilograms, meters, or liters.
- Weight vs. massMass is often used instead of “weight” in many industries. The word “ton”, in specs, can mean different things depending on the country, or even time period. Always define “ton” when you first use it. Tonne was introduced to English by French in the nineteenth century, when metric measurements were adopted.
This article was created using AI, and then fact checked by HowStuffWorks editors.
- The short ton, or U.S. Ton: 2,000 lbs (about 907 kilograms).
- The long ton, also known as British ton : 2,240 lbs (about 1,016 kg).
Context is important when a document uses the word “ton”. U.S. reports often refer to the British short ton while older U.K. references frequently use the British short ton. NIST Handbook 44, Units and Systems of Measurement Appendices, explains the definitions. The UK Weights and Measures Act of 1985, which banned the Imperial Ton for Trade, mandated the Metric Tonne.
Fast Conversions and Equivalents
- One tonne (t), is 1,000 lb=approximately 2,204 lb.
- A short ton, (U.S. Ton) is 2,000 lb (900 kg).
- A long ton, (imperial tonne),equals 2,240 lb (1,000 kg).[196590011]
What Units Are Used?
Dockworkers check the exact placement of containers on ships. Anneka/Shutterstock
Because the metric system has become the standard for international trade, the majority of countries still use the ton. Canada may refer to the U.S. tonne in domestic contracts, but exports are measured by tonnes. In modern U.K. trade the metric ton is used, while the historical long ton appears.
Although the USA uses the short ton in domestic sales, science, medicine, and many other industries use kilograms. When it comes to surface and world logistics, the use of kilograms along with tons or tonnes can help parties from different systems compare numbers.
The word ‘ton’ can refer to mass, but it is also used to describe capacity. Tonnage in shipping can refer to volume. For example, a 100-cubic-foot register ton. The gross tonnage of a vessel is, for example, measured by register tons each measuring 100 cubic feet. NIST mentions this double use of the General Tables and units in Handbook 44. Before you use a number to calculate surface transportation limits or freight rates, make sure that it is referring to the mass of a vehicle or its capacity.
Style Notes for Terminology and Spelling
: Use ton or tonne when using the imperial system. To clarify, you can use short or long ton when using ton. To clarify,
Add the equivalent metric weight in kilograms to “ton” or “tonne”. This method reduces the confusion on contracts, bills and specifications.
Worked Examples You Can Copy
Coal cargo. Anom Harya/Shutterstock
- A ship loaded 50,000 tons of materialThis is equal to 50 million kilograms, or 55,116 short tonnes. The same manifest listing 50,000 kilograms is equal to 45,359 237 kilograms. Same surface route, different unit, different mass.
- A flatbed with bricks: An order from the U.S. calls for 2 722 kg (3 short tons) of bricks. The Canadian specification that says 3 tons is actually 3,000 kg. Although the numbers are close, they’re not identical.
- Comparing Units: 10 long tonnes of steel bars equals 10,160 kilograms (10,160 pounds). This long-ton is about 160 kg heavier than 10 tonnes.
Writing for Trade and Engineering (19659021) When measuring weights for international trade, state both the unit and the kilogram equivalent. Be aware of the systems that your reader will expect. The US commodity report uses short tons, but the international contract specifies tonnes. Tones are the standard in Canada and UK.
When writing specs, you should define all terms before using them to ensure that readers know what they mean.
The Quick Definitions:
- Tonne (metric): 1,000 kg or 2,240 lb (British Ton)
- Short ton (907 kg),: 2,000lb;
- Units from the metric systems, such as kilograms, meters, or liters.
- Weight vs. massMass is often used instead of “weight” in many industries. The word “ton”, in specs, can mean different things depending on the country, or even time period. Always define “ton” when you first use it. Tonne was introduced to English by French in the nineteenth century, when metric measurements were adopted.
This article was created using AI, and then fact checked by HowStuffWorks editors.