A British long ton is 2,240 pounds.
Long tons to Metric tons Converter — long ton to t
Convert Long ton (long ton) to Metric ton (t) using the exact conversion factor (1 long ton = 1.016046909 metric ton). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Long tons to Metric tons converter
Converter
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Convert SI mass, imperial weight, jewelry, atomic, and astronomy mass units.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
A metric ton is 1,000 kilograms.
Result = input x 1016.046909 / 1000.
Mass uses the kilogram as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Long tons to Metric tons
Weight conversions between Long ton and Metric ton come up constantly in everyday commerce, shipping, and cooking, since US packaging is usually labeled in pounds while most of the rest of the world uses kilograms. Specifically: A British long ton is 2,240 pounds, and a metric ton is 1,000 kilograms.
Formula
metric tons = long tons × 1.0160469088
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 long ton equals 1016.0469088 base units, and 1 metric ton equals 1000 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct long ton-to-metric ton factor of 1.0160469088.
Simple example
1 long ton × 1.016046909 = 1.016046909 t
1 long ton = 1.016046909 metric tons.
Real-world example
50 long ton × 1.016046909 = 50.80234544 t
50 long tons = 50.80234544 metric tons.
Conversion table
| Long ton (long ton) | Metric ton (t) |
|---|---|
| 1 long ton | 1.016046909 t |
| 5 long ton | 5.080234544 t |
| 10 long ton | 10.16046909 t |
| 25 long ton | 25.40117272 t |
| 50 long ton | 50.80234544 t |
| 100 long ton | 101.6046909 t |
Reverse conversion: Metric ton to Long ton
1.016046909 t × 0.9842065276 = 1 long ton
1.016046909 metric tons = 1 long tons.
long tons = metric tons × 0.984206527611
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Metric ton to Long ton.
Understanding the Long ton (long ton)
A British long ton is 2,240 pounds.
Understanding the Metric ton
Metric ton (t) measures mass. A tonne is exactly 1,000 kilograms. It is classified as a Non-SI unit accepted for use with SI (also called metric ton).
Where it's used: Used worldwide except the US, which uses the short ton (2,000 lb)
Tonne vs. US (short) ton vs. UK (long) ton. The metric tonne (1,000 kg ≈ 2,204.6 lb) is different from both the US short ton (2,000 lb ≈ 907.2 kg) and the UK long ton (2,240 lb ≈ 1,016 kg) — all three are used in different shipping and industrial contexts and should not be assumed interchangeable.
Uses of the Metric ton today
- International shipping and freight weight
- Industrial and commodity trade (steel, grain, shipping) worldwide
- Vehicle and cargo weight ratings outside the US
History of the Metric ton
The tonne follows directly from the kilogram via the standard 'kilo-' scaling by 1,000, adopted as a convenient large-mass unit alongside the metric system's spread through international trade and industry from the 19th century onward.
Historical origin. Metric ton was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Metric ton — sources
- BIPM SI Brochure — Non-SI units accepted for use with SI — Lists the tonne among accepted non-SI mass units.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many metric tons are in 1 long ton?
1 long ton equals 1.016046909 metric tons, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert long ton to metric ton?
Multiply the long ton value by 1.016046909. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert metric ton back to long ton?
Use the reverse factor: 1 metric ton equals 0.9842065276 long tons. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a long ton?
Long ton (long ton) is a unit of mass/weight.
What is a metric ton?
Metric ton (t) measures mass. A tonne is exactly 1,000 kilograms. It is classified as a Non-SI unit accepted for use with SI (also called metric ton).
Is the long ton to metric ton conversion exact?
Yes. A tonne is exactly 1,000 kilograms. That fixed definition is what the converter above uses, so any rounding you see is a display choice, not a limitation of the math.
What is the difference between tonne vs. us (short) ton vs. uk (long) ton?
The metric tonne (1,000 kg ≈ 2,204.6 lb) is different from both the US short ton (2,000 lb ≈ 907.2 kg) and the UK long ton (2,240 lb ≈ 1,016 kg) — all three are used in different shipping and industrial contexts and should not be assumed interchangeable.