Ton (US) (ton) - Unit Information & Conversion
What is a Ton (US)?
Definition
The US ton, also known as the short ton, is a unit of mass commonly used in the United States. It is defined as exactly 2,000 pounds (avoirdupois). This is equivalent to 907.18474 kilograms.
History
The short ton originated in the English system of weights and measures and became the standard ton in the United States. It differs from the imperial (long) ton (2,240 lbs) used more traditionally in the UK, and the metric ton (1,000 kg).
Common Uses
- Transportation: Measuring vehicle weights and payload capacities in the US for trucks, trailers, and commercial vehicles.
- Construction Materials: Used for quantifying bulk materials like gravel, sand, and coal in US commerce and construction projects.
- Industrial Applications: Standard unit for heavy machinery, shipping containers, and large-scale manufacturing within the US.
- HVAC Systems: Often used for measuring large items like HVAC units (tonnage rating relates to cooling capacity, but derives from the weight of ice).
- Waste Management: Common unit for measuring municipal solid waste, recycling volumes, and landfill capacities.
Unit FAQs
How many pounds are in a US ton?
There are exactly 2,000 pounds (lb) in 1 US ton (short ton).
Is the US ton the same as the UK ton?
No. The US ton (short ton) is 2,000 lbs, while the traditional UK ton (long ton) is 2,240 lbs. The metric ton (1,000 kg or approx. 2,204.6 lbs) is also different.
Where is the US ton used?
It is primarily used in the United States. Most other countries use the metric ton (tonne).
Ton (US) Conversion Formulas
To Kilogram:
To Gram:
To Milligram:
To Pound:
To Ounce:
To Stone:
To Ton (metric):
To Ton (UK):
To Microgram:
To Carat:
To Slug:
To Troy Ounce:
To Pennyweight:
To Grain:
To Dram:
To Quintal:
To Atomic Mass Unit:
To Pavan (India):
To Kati (India):
To Masha (India):
To Dina (India):
To Pras (India):
To Lota (India):
Convert Ton (US)
Need to convert Ton (US) to other weight units? Use our conversion tool.