Long Tons to Metric Tons Converter

How to Convert Long Tons to Metric Tons

To convert a weight measurement from long tons to metric tons, multiply the weight by the conversion factor. Since one long ton is equal to 1.016047 metric tons, you can use this formula:

The weight in metric tons is equal to the long tons multiplied by 1.016047.

How Many Metric Tons Are in a Long Ton?

There are 1.016047 metric tons in one long ton.

What Is a Long Ton?

The long ton (also called the imperial ton or displacement ton) is an imperial unit of weight equal to exactly 2,240 pounds (1,016.0469088 kilograms). It was the traditional ton used in the United Kingdom before metrication. The long ton is approximately 12% heavier than the US short ton (2,000 lb) and approximately 1.6% heavier than the metric ton (2,204.62 lb). These differences are important in international shipping and trade to avoid confusion and financial discrepancies. The long ton is still used in some specific contexts: the displacement of warships and large vessels is sometimes quoted in long tons (particularly in historical and naval contexts). In the UK, the long ton was the standard “ton” before the adoption of the metric ton. The long ton contains exactly 160 stones (160 × 14 = 2,240 lb) or 20 hundredweight (20 × 112 = 2,240 lb). The hundredweight (cwt) of 112 pounds is the traditional British hundredweight, distinct from the US hundredweight of 100 pounds.

One long ton is equal to:

• 2,240 pounds (lb)
• 35,840 ounces (oz)
• 1,016.047 kilograms (kg)
• 1,016,047 grams (g)
• 1.016047 metric tons (MT)
• 1.12 tons (t)
• 160 stones (st)
• 5,080,235 carats (ct)

What Is a Metric Ton?

The metric ton (also called the tonne; symbol: t or MT) is a metric unit of mass equal to exactly 1,000 kilograms, or 1,000,000 grams. It is the standard large-mass unit in the International System of Units. The metric ton is used worldwide (except in the US) for measuring large quantities of goods, raw materials, and commodities. International trade, shipping, and transport use metric tons as the standard. One metric ton of water occupies a volume of approximately 1 cubic metre. The metric ton equals approximately 2,204.62 pounds, which is about 10% more than a US short ton (2,000 lb) and about 1.6% less than an imperial long ton (2,240 lb). These differences are important in international trade to avoid costly misunderstandings. In environmental science, carbon dioxide emissions are measured in metric tons (often abbreviated as “tCO₂”). Global commodity markets quote prices in metric tons (e.g., steel, copper, grain). Shipping container capacities are rated in metric tons.

One metric ton is equal to:

• 1,000 kilograms (kg)
• 1,000,000 grams (g)
• 2,204.623 pounds (lb)
• 35,273.96 ounces (oz)
• 1.10231 tons (t)
• 0.984207 long tons (lt)
• 157.473 stones (st)
• 5,000,000 carats (ct)

Understanding Weight and Mass Units

Weight and mass are related but distinct concepts. Mass is the amount of matter in an object and is constant regardless of location. Weight is the force of gravity acting on that mass and varies with gravitational field strength. In everyday language, “weight” and “mass” are used interchangeably, and the units on this page measure mass.

Weight and mass units have evolved from different historical measurement systems, resulting in a rich variety of units still in use today.

Major Unit Systems

• Metric / SI units: The kilogram (kg) is the SI base unit of mass. Grams (g) and milligrams (mg) are derived using standard prefixes. The metric ton (tonne, 1,000 kg) is used for large masses.
• US customary / Imperial units: The pound (lb) is the primary unit, with 16 ounces per pound. The US short ton (2,000 lb) and the imperial long ton (2,240 lb) are used for large masses. The stone (14 lb) is used in the UK for body weight.
• Specialised units: The carat (0.2 g) is used for gemstones. The Calorie (kcal) is used as a proxy for weight change based on the 3,500 kcal per pound approximation.

Key Conversion Relationships

• 1 pound (lb) = 453.59237 grams (exact by international agreement)
• 1 kilogram (kg) = 2.204623 pounds
• 1 ounce (oz) = 28.349523 grams = 1/16 pound
• 1 stone (st) = 14 pounds = 6.350293 kg
• 1 US ton (t) = 2,000 pounds = 907.185 kg
• 1 long ton (lt) = 2,240 pounds = 1,016.047 kg
• 1 metric ton (MT) = 1,000 kg = 2,204.623 pounds
• 1 carat (ct) = 0.2 grams = 200 milligrams (exact)

Tips for Weight Conversions

• The most important conversion to remember: 1 kg ≈ 2.2 lb. Multiply kilograms by 2.2 for a quick pounds estimate, or divide pounds by 2.2 for kilograms.
• For ounces to grams: 1 oz ≈ 28.35 g. Multiply ounces by 28 for a rough gram estimate.
• UK body weight in stones: divide pounds by 14. For example, 154 lb = 11 stone.
• Don’t confuse the three types of “ton”: US short ton = 2,000 lb, metric ton = 2,204.6 lb, long (imperial) ton = 2,240 lb.
• The metric ton is about 10% heavier than the US short ton. When reading international commodity prices, check which ton is being used.
• For gemstones: 1 carat = 0.2 grams exactly, so 5 carats = 1 gram. A 1-carat diamond is about the size of a pencil eraser top.
• Don’t confuse avoirdupois ounces (28.35 g, for general weighing) with troy ounces (31.10 g, for precious metals) or fluid ounces (a volume measure).
• The Calorie-to-weight conversion (3,500 kcal per pound) is a nutritional approximation, not a physical constant. It is useful for rough weight-loss estimates but not for precise calculations.

Long Tons to Metric Tons Conversion Table

The following table shows conversions from long tons to metric tons.

Related Weight Converters

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