A US short ton is 2,000 pounds.
Short tons to Metric tons Converter — ton to t
Convert Short ton (ton) to Metric ton (t) using the exact conversion factor (1 short ton = 0.90718474 metric ton). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Short tons to Metric tons converter
Converter
Mass/Weight Converter
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 907.18474 / 1000.
Mass uses the kilogram as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Short tons to Metric tons
Weight conversions between Short 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 US short ton is 2,000 pounds, and a metric ton is 1,000 kilograms.
Formula
metric tons = short tons × 0.90718474
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 short ton equals 907.18474 base units, and 1 metric ton equals 1000 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct short ton-to-metric ton factor of 0.90718474.
Simple example
1 ton × 0.90718474 = 0.90718474 t
1 short ton = 0.90718474 metric tons.
Real-world example
50 ton × 0.90718474 = 45.359237 t
50 short tons = 45.359237 metric tons.
Conversion table
| Short ton (ton) | Metric ton (t) |
|---|---|
| 1 ton | 0.90718474 t |
| 5 ton | 4.5359237 t |
| 10 ton | 9.0718474 t |
| 25 ton | 22.6796185 t |
| 50 ton | 45.359237 t |
| 100 ton | 90.718474 t |
Reverse conversion: Metric ton to Short ton
0.90718474 t × 1.102311311 = 1 ton
0.90718474 metric tons = 1 short ton.
short tons = metric tons × 1.10231131092
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Metric ton to Short ton.
Understanding the Short ton (ton)
A US short ton is 2,000 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 short ton?
1 short ton equals 0.90718474 metric tons, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert short ton to metric ton?
Multiply the short ton value by 0.90718474. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert metric ton back to short ton?
Use the reverse factor: 1 metric ton equals 1.102311311 short tons. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a short ton?
Short ton (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 short 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.