Long Ton (UK) vs Short Ton (US)
Side-by-side comparison, when-to-use-each guide, and instant conversion. Reviewed for 2026.
Older UK shipping records, traditional UK commodities, some Caribbean trade.
US freight, US commodities, US construction materials.
| Aspect | Long Ton (UK) | Short Ton (US) |
|---|---|---|
| Pounds | 2,240 lbs | 2,000 lbs |
| Kg | 1,016 kg | 907.185 kg |
| Origin | UK Imperial (1824) | US simplification (2,000 = clean number) |
| Modern UK use | Mostly replaced by tonne | — |
| Modern US use | Rare | Universal |
Frequently asked
Is a metric tonne closer to which?
Metric tonne (1,000 kg) is between the two but closer to the long ton — only 1.6% less. The short ton is 9.3% less than a tonne.
Why was the long ton 2,240?
It was built up from 20 hundredweight (cwt) × 112 lbs. The cwt was 8 stone × 14 lbs. Traditional British weights were powers of 2 and 7 inherited from medieval trade.
Frequently asked questions
Is a metric tonne closer to which?
Metric tonne (1,000 kg) is between the two but closer to the long ton — only 1.6% less. The short ton is 9.3% less than a tonne.
Why was the long ton 2,240?
It was built up from 20 hundredweight (cwt) × 112 lbs. The cwt was 8 stone × 14 lbs. Traditional British weights were powers of 2 and 7 inherited from medieval trade.