A tonne, also known as a metric ton, is a unit of mass equal to 1,000 kilograms or approximately 2,204.62 pounds. It's the standard ton used in most countries that follow the metric system, including Europe, Asia, Australia, and many parts of Africa. Unlike the US ton (short ton, 2,000 lbs) or the UK imperial ton (long ton, 2,240 lbs), the tonne is based on powers of ten, making it more consistent with the metric system. It's used in industries where large-scale weight measurement is common, such as shipping, agriculture, and waste management.
The tonne originated in France in the 18th century as part of the adoption of the metric system. The word comes from the French word "tonneau," which referred to a large cask used for transporting wine or oil.
It became widely accepted across Europe and eventually by the International System of Units (SI). Today, it's the standard unit for mass in global trade, environmental reporting, and scientific documentation.
How is the Tonne Used: The tonne is used to measure very large weights where smaller units like kilograms or pounds would be impractical. You'll find it commonly used in:
A kilogram, abbreviated as kg, is the standard unit of mass in the metric system used in nearly every country in the world. Whether you're weighing yourself at the gym, buying fruits at the grocery store, or measuring ingredients in a recipe, chances are you're using kilograms, especially if you're outside the U.S.
The term "kilogram" comes from French, combining kilo (meaning "a thousand") with gram. One kilogram equals 1,000 grams. Originally, the kilogram was defined by a physical object a platinum-iridium cylinder stored in France. But since 2019, scientists now define it using fundamental constants of nature like the Planck constant, making it far more precise and stable for scientific use.
How the Kilogram Is Used:The kilogram is part of everyday life in countries using the metric system:
1 t = 1,000 kg
Let’s say you want to convert 2 t to kg.
Using the formula:
2 × 1,000 = 2,000 kg
So, 2 t is approximately 2,000 kg.
| Tonne (t) | Kilogram (kg) |
|---|---|
| 1 t | 1,000 kg |
| 2 t | 2,000 kg |
| 3 t | 3,000 kg |
| 4 t | 4,000 kg |
| 5 t | 5,000 kg |
| 6 t | 6,000 kg |
| 7 t | 7,000 kg |
| 8 t | 8,000 kg |
| 9 t | 9,000 kg |
| 10 t | 10,000 kg |
| 11 t | 11,000 kg |
| 12 t | 12,000 kg |
| 13 t | 13,000 kg |
| 14 t | 14,000 kg |
| 15 t | 15,000 kg |