Convert Kilogram to Ton (metric) (2024)

Please provide values below to convert kilogram [kg] to ton (metric) [t], or vice versa.

Kilogram

Definition: A kilogram (symbol: kg) is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI). It is currently defined based on the fixed numerical value of the Planck constant, h, which is equal to 6.62607015 × 10^-34 in the units of J·s, or kg·m²·s^-1. The meter and the second are defined in terms of c, the speed of light, and cesium frequency, ΔνCs. Even though the definition of the kilogram was changed in 2019, the actual size of the unit remained the same. The changes were intended to improve the definitions of SI base units, not to actually change how the units are used throughout the world.

History/origin: The name kilogram was derived from the French "kilogramme," which in turn came from adding Greek terminology meaning "a thousand," before the Late Latin term "gramma" meaning "a small weight."

Unlike the other SI base units, the kilogram is the only SI base unit with an SI prefix. SI is a system based on the meter-kilogram-second system of units rather than a centimeter-gram-second system. This is at least in part due to the inconsistencies and lack of coherence that can arise through use of centimeter-gram-second systems, such as those between the systems of electrostatic and electromagnetic units.

The kilogram was originally defined as the mass of one liter of water at its freezing point in 1794, but was eventually re-defined, since measuring the mass of a volume of water was imprecise and cumbersome.

A new definition of the kilogram was introduced in 2019 based on Planck's constant and changes to the definition of the second. Prior to the current definition, the kilogram was defined as being equal to the mass of a physical prototype, a cylinder made of a platinum-iridium alloy, which was an imperfect measure. This is evidenced by the fact that the mass of the original prototype for the kilogram now weighs 50 micrograms less than other copies of the standard kilogram.

Current use: As a base unit of SI, the kilogram is used globally in nearly all fields and applications, with the exception of countries like the United States, where the kilogram is used in many areas, at least to some extent (such as science, industry, government, and the military) but typically not in everyday applications.

Ton

Definition: A ton is a unit of weight and mass. In the United States and Canada, the ton, also known as the short ton, is defined as 2,000 pounds, or 908 kilograms. In the United Kingdom, the ton, sometimes referred to as the long ton, is defined as 2,240 avoirdupois pounds, or 1,016 kg. The tonne, defined in the International System of Units (SI) and also known as the metric ton is defined as 2,204.623 pounds, or 1,000 kilograms.

History/origin: The term "ton" is derived from the "tun," a term that was applied to a large cask that could contain between 175 to 213 imperial gallons, could weigh around 2,000 pounds, and could occupy approximately 60 cubic feet, or 1.7 m³ of space. Although various definitions of the ton are still used in certain countries, the metric ton, or tonne, is the preferred definition of the ton.

Current use: The long ton is used in the United Kingdom along with other countries that still use the imperial system, the short ton is used mainly in the United States, and the tonne is used worldwide. Although both the UK, the US, and some other countries still use other definitions of the ton, the tonne is the legally designated form of the ton for use in trade.

Kilogram to Ton (metric) Conversion Table

How to Convert Kilogram to Ton (metric)

1 kg = 0.001 t
1 t = 1000 kg

Example: convert 15 kg to t:
15 kg = 15 × 0.001 t = 0.015 t

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