Direct answer
Metric Ton vs US Ton: What’s the Difference?
A metric ton is 1,000 kg; a US short ton is about 907.185 kg. Freight and procurement answer with converters.
Question
What is the difference between a metric ton and a US ton?
A metric ton (tonne) is 1,000 kg. A US short ton is 2,000 lb ≈ 907.185 kg. The metric ton is heavier.
1 metric ton
1,000 kg
1 US short ton
≈ 907.185 kg
Difference
Metric ton is ~10.23% heavier
Explanation
In international trade and science, “tonne” or metric ton means exactly 1,000 kilograms.
In the United States, “ton” often means the short ton: 2,000 pounds.
1 metric ton ≈ 1.10231 US short tons. 1 US short ton ≈ 0.907185 metric tons.
Important caveat
The UK long ton (2,240 lb) is another unit. Confirm which ton a contract or bill of lading means.