UnitConvConvert
t
Weightmetricindustrialtransport

What is a metric ton?

The international shipping standard — 1000 kg exactly

Definition

The metric ton (also "tonne" in British English) equals 1000 kilograms exactly. It is the standard tonnage unit in international shipping, agriculture and industrial production. Do not confuse it with the US short ton (907 kg) or the British long ton (1016 kg).

Common uses

  • International shipping and freight
  • Agricultural yield (grain, sugar, coffee)
  • Steel, cement and industrial production

🌍 Real-world scale

A mid-size car weighs about 1.5 t. A 20-ft shipping container holds up to 28 t. Global steel output is about 1,900 million tonnes per year.

Convert from metric tons

11 conversions
Metric Ton to Kilogram1 t = 1,000 kgMetric Ton to Gram1 t = 1,000,000 gMetric Ton to Milligram1 t = 1,000,000,000 mgMetric Ton to Microgram1 t = 1,000,000,000,000 µgMetric Ton to Pound1 t = 2,204.62 lbMetric Ton to Ounce1 t = 35,273.96 ozMetric Ton to US Ton1 t = 1.10231 ton (US)Metric Ton to UK Ton1 t = 0.9842 ton (UK)Metric Ton to Stone1 t = 157.473 stMetric Ton to Carat1 t = 5,000,000 ctMetric Ton to Grain1 t = 15,432,358.35 gr

Convert to metric tons

11 conversions
Kilogram to Metric Ton1 kg = 0.001 tGram to Metric Ton1 g = 1.0000e-6 tMilligram to Metric Ton1 mg = 1.0000e-9 tMicrogram to Metric Ton1 µg = 1.0000e-12 tPound to Metric Ton1 lb = 0.0004536 tOunce to Metric Ton1 oz = 2.8350e-5 tUS Ton to Metric Ton1 ton (US) = 0.9072 tUK Ton to Metric Ton1 ton (UK) = 1.01605 tStone to Metric Ton1 st = 0.00635 tCarat to Metric Ton1 ct = 2.0000e-7 tGrain to Metric Ton1 gr = 6.4799e-8 t

Tips

  • 1 t = 1000 kg exactly. The British "tonne" and the metric "ton" are identical.
  • In export contracts always specify "metric ton" or "MT" to avoid ambiguity with US or UK tons.
  • Commodity prices (wheat, sugar, iron ore) are usually quoted per metric ton.

Common mistakes

  • Using "ton" without qualifier in US contracts — default is often the short ton (907 kg), a 9% gap.
  • Confusing metric ton with long ton on UK-origin commodity contracts.
  • Writing "ton" when accuracy matters in shipping — always write "MT" or "tonne".

FAQ about the metric ton

What is a metric ton?
The metric ton (also "tonne" in British English) equals 1000 kilograms exactly. It is the standard tonnage unit in international shipping, agriculture and industrial production. Do not confuse it with the US short ton (907 kg) or the British long ton (1016 kg).
Where is the metric ton used?
The metric ton is commonly used for: International shipping and freight; Agricultural yield (grain, sugar, coffee); Steel, cement and industrial production.
What is an example of a metric ton in real life?
A mid-size car weighs about 1.5 t. A 20-ft shipping container holds up to 28 t. Global steel output is about 1,900 million tonnes per year.
What category does the metric ton belong to?
The metric ton is a unit of weight, part of the 12-unit weight category on UnitConv.
How accurate are metric ton conversions?
All conversion factors follow NIST and BIPM international standards to 8 significant figures — the highest practical accuracy.
Explore all 12 weight units and their conversions.⚖️ Weight hub →