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Single conversion
To convert from Ton (t) to Kilogram (kg), use the following formula:
With is the ratio between the base units Gram (g) and Pound (lb).
Let's convert 5 Ton (t) to Kilogram (kg).
Using the formula:
Therefore, 5 Ton (t) is equal to Kilogram (kg).
Here are some quick reference conversions from Ton (t) to Kilogram (kg):
| Tons | Kilograms |
|---|---|
| 0.000001 t | kg |
| 0.001 t | kg |
| 0.1 t | kg |
| 1 t | kg |
| 2 t | kg |
| 3 t | kg |
| 4 t | kg |
| 5 t | kg |
| 6 t | kg |
| 7 t | kg |
| 8 t | kg |
| 9 t | kg |
| 10 t | kg |
| 20 t | kg |
| 30 t | kg |
| 40 t | kg |
| 50 t | kg |
| 100 t | kg |
| 1000 t | kg |
| 10000 t | kg |
For all Weight converters, choose units using the From/To dropdowns above.
A ton (t) is a standard unit of mass.
In the United States, a ton is equivalent to 2,000 pounds (lb).
That said, the exact amount can vary depending on the system you use—US, British (Imperial), or metric—so it's essential to know which "ton" you mean to avoid mistakes.
While the US short ton is widely used, it's not the only definition.
The three main types of tons have different weights:
The distinction between these units is crucial in international shipping and trade to avoid costly confusion.
The spelling of the word tells you exactly which measurement system is being used.
Using "tonne" ensures precision and is the standard unit of measurement for science and international commerce.
The word "ton" originates from the Old English "tunne," which was a large cask used for storing wine, also known as a tun.
These casks were so typical that the weight of a full one became a standard unit of measurement.
Over time, this was standardized to 2,000 pounds, becoming the ton we use in the United States today.
A kilogram (kg) is the base unit of mass in the metric system, used worldwide to measure everything from your body weight to the groceries you buy.
It's equal to 1,000 grams (g).
For a simple real-world comparison, the mass of a one-liter bottle of water is almost exactly one kilogram.
Key Takeaways
For more than 130 years, the kilogram was a physical object: a platinum-iridium cylinder called the International Prototype Kilogram (IPK), also known as "Le Grand K," which was kept under tight security near Paris.
Scientists eventually found the problem — the artifact was losing an imperceptible amount of mass over time — so it couldn't guarantee the long-term accuracy required by science and industry.
On May 20, 2019, the kilogram was redefined.
It's no longer tied to a single object but to a fundamental constant of nature: the Planck constant (h). That change makes the kilogram stable and reproducible with precision anywhere in the universe.
The kilogram's story begins during the French Revolution with the creation of the metric system. The original definition, established in 1795, was beautifully simple and practical.
The gram was first defined as the mass of one cubic centimeter of water at 4 °C (39.2 °F), the temperature at which it is most dense.
From there, the kilogram was defined as the mass of one liter (one cubic decimeter) of water under the same conditions. This practical, water-based definition was a revolutionary step toward a global standard of measurement.
The International System of Units (SI) is built on seven base units that serve as the foundation for all measurements. These include the meter for length, the second for time, and the ampere for electric current.
The kilogram is a historical oddity, as it's the only SI base unit with a prefix ("kilo").
Due to its origins, the kilogram, rather than the gram, became the fundamental unit of mass, making it a curious exception in the measurement system.