⚖️ Comparison · Updated for 2026
Long Ton (UK) vs Short Ton (US)
Side-by-side comparison, when-to-use-each guide, and instant conversion. Reviewed for 2026.
Quick answer: 1 long ton = 2,240 lbs = 1,016 kg. 1 short ton = 2,000 lbs = 907 kg. The 12% difference matters in commodity trading. The UK long ton was the standard until metric tonnes (1,000 kg) became dominant in the 1970s.
Decision guide — when to use which
Use Long Ton (UK) when…
Older UK shipping records, traditional UK commodities, some Caribbean trade.
Use Short Ton (US) when…
US freight, US commodities, US construction materials.
📊 Side-by-side comparison
| 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
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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.
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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.
Reviewed for 2026. All conversion factors and historical references verified against official sources (ISO standards, government weights & measures legislation, IEC technical specifications). Built by a UK-based qualified primary teacher and FA Level 2 coach as part of 247QuickTools' free utility-tools project. We don't sell SEO links or accept paid placements in this content.