Menu

Money & investing8 Math27 Unit converters199 Health & fitness10 Time & work5 School & grades3 Images & PDFs11 Text & generators14 Career1 Everyday life3

Guides Glossary Templates & planners

Metric Ton (tonne)

Also called: tonne, t, megagram

Definition: The metric ton, or tonne (symbol t), is a unit of mass equal to exactly 1,000 kilograms, which is about 2,204.62 pounds.

Updated October 31, 2026 · How we check facts

The metric ton is 1,000 kilograms. NIST's SP 811 lists it as exactly 1.0 × 10³ kg and notes that the unit called "metric ton" in the US is called a tonne elsewhere. In pounds, 1 t = 1,000 ÷ 0.45359237 = 2,204.62 lb.

Formula

pounds = metric tons × 2,204.62
metric tons = kilograms ÷ 1,000
metric tons = pounds × 0.00045359237

Example

A shipment of 24 t weighs 24 × 2,204.62 = 52,911 lb, which is 26.46 short tons. A weight of 4,000 lb is 4,000 × 0.00045359237 = 1.81 t.

Common mistakes

Treating the metric ton as equal to the US ton: it is about 10.2% heavier (204.6 lb). See how many pounds in a ton and pounds to tons.

Calculate it

Free toolKg to Lbs ConverterKilograms to pounds and back, with lb + oz and stone.Open →

Guides that explain it

How Many Pounds in a Ton? Short, Long and Metric Tons

Related terms

Short Ton (US ton)The short ton, or US ton, is a unit of mass equal to 2,000 pounds, which NIST lists as 907.1847 kilograms; it is the ordinary meaning of "ton" in the United States.Long Ton (imperial ton)The long ton is a unit of mass equal to 2,240 pounds, which NIST lists as 1,016.047 kilograms; it is 12% heavier than the US short ton.Kilogram (kg)The kilogram is the SI base unit of mass, equal to 1,000 grams and about 2.2046 pounds; it is the only base unit whose name carries a prefix.Acre (ac)The acre is a US customary unit of area equal to exactly 43,560 square feet, 4,840 square yards or 160 square rods; NIST gives it as 4,046.8564224 square meters.Centimeter (cm)The centimeter is a metric unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter (0.01 m); exactly 2.54 centimeters make one inch.Fluid Ounce (fl oz)A fluid ounce is a unit of volume; one US fluid ounce is 29.57353 milliliters, and 8 of them make a US cup. It is not the same as the ounce used to weigh things.Gram (g)The gram is a metric unit of mass equal to one thousandth of a kilogram, the SI base unit of mass; about 0.03527 ounces.Hectare (ha)The hectare is a metric unit of area equal to exactly 10,000 square meters, which is about 2.471 acres; it is accepted for use with the SI.

Sources