If remembering the differences between American and British English weren’t difficult enough, adding in the differences between American and British systems of measurement can be maddening. This is the situation in which writers find themselves when choosing ton or tonne for their writing.
Both words refer to a unit of measurement, but not the same unit. Additionally, one word is only used outside the United States. To further complicate things, one term has a casual usage case that doesn’t commonly apply to its counterpart.
If you’re having trouble choosing tonne or ton, this article is written to clarify the differences between these two terms, so read on for an in-depth explanation.
What is the Difference Between Ton and Tonne?
In this article, I’ll explain compare ton vs. tonne. I will go over the definition of each word, where they are used in the English-speaking world, and I will use each word in a sentence to further illustrate their meaning.
Plus, at the end I’ll show you a helpful trick to remember when to use each word.
When to Use Ton
What does ton mean? A ton is a unit of weight. Americans measure nearly everything differently from the rest of the world, and weight is no exception.
In America, a ton, also called a short ton, is equal to 2,000 U.S. pounds (abbreviated lbs.).
Most other industrialized nations have standardized around the metric system and use what is called the metric ton. A metric ton is equal to 1,000 kilograms (abbreviated kg). Thus, a metric ton is slightly larger than a U.S. ton—it converts to 2,204.6 pounds.
- Instead, under a resolution approved on Thursday by the board of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the 25-ton piece will be transported from the Battery, hoisted up into the new elevated Liberty Park and set down near the St. Nicholas National Shrine, which is under construction. –The New York Times
There is another kind of ton that is largely outdated but worth mentioning called the British ton, also known as the long ton. The long ton is equal to 2,240 pounds.
Ton in Casual Speech
Ton, of course, is used informally to describe a large amount of something.
For example,
- Dan had a ton of guacamole at his cookout, since six different people brought some.
- “I can’t go out with you tonight; I have a ton of paperwork to do,” Maya said.
It is very unlikely that there were 2,000 pounds of guacamole at Dan’s cookout. Likewise, one ton of paper would be roughly 200,000 sheets. Unless Maya’s job is truly awful, she probably doesn’t have an actual ton of paperwork.
In casual usage, a ton usually means a lot of something, regardless of weight.
When to Use Tonne
What does tonne mean? Tonne is an alternative spelling used to describe a metric ton. It is almost never used in American English, but it is widely used outside of the United States.
Again, a tonne, also known as a metric ton, is a unit of measurement equal to 1,000 kilograms. A tonne is larger than a U.S. ton.
Examples of Tonne
- He is the kind of restless soul who by now might reasonably be expected to pursue other passions, other avenues in life besides steering half a tonne of horse flesh over seven-foot fences. –The Telegraph
- Graphite is used in the production of lithium-ion batteries, and while prices vary depending on the quality, Poco*ck says it averages at about US$1,000 per tonne. –The Guardian
Trick to Remember the Difference
If you are still having trouble keeping these two words apart, here is a helpful trick to remember tonne vs. ton.
In the United States, a ton refers to 2,000 pounds. Outside the United States, a ton is shorthand for a metric ton, or 1,000 kilograms.
Tonne is also used when referring to a metric ton.
The key to remembering the difference between these terms is the “NE” at the end of tonne. Tonne is primarily used in the U.K. (and elsewhere), which is northeast (or NE) of the continental US. This geographical mnemonic should help keep these terms straight in your writing.
Summary
Is it ton or tonne? Ton and tonne are both units of measurement.
- In the United States, a ton is 2,000 pounds.
- Outside the United States, a ton can refer to a metric ton, which is 1,000 kilograms, or 2,204.6 pounds.
- A tonne is another word for metric ton. Since tonne is used in the U.K. and ends in NE, and the U.K. is NE of the continental US, remembering these words should be fairly easy.
FAQs
As with the majority of the world's nations which have adopted the Metric system, go with tonne. If you're in the US, the easy way to remember it is 2000lbs is a Ton, while 1000kg is a tonne (or metric Ton). Hopefully, now it's easier to work out which is heavier; a Ton of feathers or a tonne of bricks.
How do you write ton or tonne? ›
Tons and tonnes are both English terms. Tons is predominantly used in 🇺🇸 American (US) English ( en-US ) while tonnes is predominantly used in 🇬🇧 British English (used in UK/AU/NZ) ( en-GB ).
What does ton mean in writing? ›
a unit of weight equal to 907 kilograms or 2,000 pounds. tons B2 [ plural ] informal. an extremely large amount: tons of We have tons of food left over from the party.
Is A tonne bigger than a ton? ›
ANSWER: The three types are all a measure of mass (weight) the short ton aka US ton is 2,000/lbs. The long ton aka Imperial (British) ton is 2240 lbs. The third ton is the metric tonne which is, equal to 1000 kilograms, or approximately 2204 pounds.
How much is a tonne vs. a ton? ›
Units of mass/weight
| Full name(s) | Common name | Quantity |
|---|
| short ton | "ton" (United States) | 2,000 lb (907.18474 kg) |
| tonne (equivalent to one megagram) | "tonne"; "metric ton" | 1,000 kg (about 2,204.6226 lb) |
| shortweight ton | | 2,240 lb |
| longweight ton | | 2,400 lb |
1 more rowLet's be clear from the start: 'Ton' and 'tonne' are not equal, and it's not just about the spelling. Both are a unit of weight, a Ton is an Imperial measurement (still widely used in the USA), and a tonne is a Metric measurement.
Is 1 ton and 1 tonne the same? ›
Ton is imperial (1 ton = 2000 lbs), Tonne is metric (1 tonne = 1000 kgs = 2200 lbs approx.)
How is tons written? ›
Regardless, if you're writing for a US audience, remember: A 'ton' is a North American short ton (907.18474 kg or 2,000 lbs). An 'imperial ton' is a British long ton (1,016.047 kg or 2,240 lbs). A 'metric ton' is a tonne (1,000 kg or 2,204.6 lbs).
Is 1 ton exactly 2000 pounds? ›
ton, unit of weight in the avoirdupois system equal to 2,000 pounds (907.18 kg) in the United States (the short ton) and 2,240 pounds (1,016.05 kg) in Britain (the long ton). The metric ton used in most other countries is 1,000 kg, equivalent to 2,204.6 pounds avoirdupois.
Is it a ton or tonne of bricks? ›
Ton is used as a unit of measurement and to describe something that is heavy, a large amount of work or a lot of something. Tonne is only used as a unit of measurement. Depends on the weight of the bricks, with which you imagine you've been hit.
Although they sound the same and both refer to a unit of mass, there is a difference between the words 'ton' and 'tonne' beyond just spelling: A ton is an imperial unit of mass equivalent to 1,016.047 kg or 2,240 lbs. A tonne is a metric unit of mass equivalent to 1,000 kg or 2,204.6 lbs.
What is 1000 lbs called? ›
A kip is a US customary unit of force. It equals 1000 pounds-force, and is used primarily by structural engineers to indicate forces where the value represented in pound-force is inefficient. Although uncommon, it is occasionally also considered a unit of mass, equal to 1000 pounds (i.e. one half of a short ton).
Is it 5 ton or tonne? ›
In English, tonne is an established spelling alternative to metric ton. In the United States and United Kingdom, tonne is usually pronounced the same as ton (/tʌn/), but the final "e" can also be pronounced, i.e. "tunnie" (/ˈtʌni/). In Australia, the common and recommended pronunciation is /tɒn/.
Which is correct ton or tonne? ›
A tonne, also known as a metric ton, is a unit of mass equaling 1,000 kilograms. A ton (often pluralized as 'tons') is used informally as a noun meaning a large extent, amount, or number.
What is a ton in slang? ›
The sources below, including The Patridge Dictionary of Slang, cite as first slang usage of ton meaning one hundred the amount of £100 from the first decades of the 20th century. From there, ton was applied to different contexts with the meaning of 100 (miles per hour, cricket etc.).
What is a tonne in English? ›
Meaning of tonne in English
a unit of weight in the metric system, equal to 1,000 kilograms: Oil deliveries will fall 2.5 million tonnes short this year.
Is it a ton or tonne truck? ›
They each have a distinct weight, designated by the International System of Units (SI), wherein officially a “tonne” is referred to as a Megagram, equivalent to one million grams or one thousand kilograms. The spelling “tonne” is used in British English, while “ton” is used in American English.
How do you spell ton as in a lot? ›
Ton and tonne have the same pronunciation, but different spellings and slightly different meanings. Ton is used for a few different weight measurements, a thermal power measurement, an exaggerated way to say a lot of something, and a few other meanings.
What does ton mean? A ton is a unit of weight. Americans measure nearly everything differently from the rest of the world, and weight is no exception.
What does tonne mean? Tonne is an alternative spelling used to describe a metric ton. It is almost never used in American English, but it is widely used outside of the United States.
If you are still having trouble keeping these two words apart, here is a helpful trick to remember tonne vs. ton.