Metric ton | unit of weight | Britannica (original) (raw)

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The metric ton is a unit of mass commonly used in most countries, defined as 1,000 kilograms. This is equivalent to approximately 2,204.6 pounds.12

In contrast, the United States uses a "short ton" which is 2,000 pounds (907.18 kg), and Britain uses a "long ton" which is 2,240 pounds (1,016.05 kg). The term "ton" historically derived from "tun," a large barrel used in the wine trade, and came to represent any large weight.2

A related unit is the ton-kilometer, which measures freight carriage by calculating the transportation of one metric ton of freight over one kilometer.3

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• The metric ton used in most other countries is 1,000 kg, equivalent to 2,204.6 pounds avoirdupois. The term derives from tun, denoting a large barrel used in the wine trade. Ton came to mean any large weight, until it was standardized at 20 hundredweight although the…