conversions
How Many Pounds in a Ton
Last updated: May 31, 2026
Written by Blake Boege
A pounds-in-a-ton weight conversion translates tons to pounds. In the US Customary system, a short ton contains exactly 2,000 pounds. In the British Imperial system, a long ton contains exactly 2,240 pounds. In the metric system, a metric ton (tonne) contains exactly 1,000 kilograms or approximately 2,204.62 pounds.
Compare short tons, long tons, and metric tonnes. Use our fast weight converter to switch between tons and pounds easily.
Quick Answer
Convert tons to pounds instantly and compare US short tons, UK long tons, and metric tonnes.
How Many Pounds in a Ton?
There are 2,000 pounds in a standard US (short) ton.
A metric ton contains approximately 2,204.62 pounds, and a UK (long) ton contains 2,240 pounds.
Ton Standard Type
Formula: 1 US Ton = 2,000 lbs
Tons to Pounds Conversion Chart
| Tons (t) | US (Short) Pounds | Metric (Tonne) Pounds | UK (Long) Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25 tons | 500 lbs | 551.16 lbs | 560 lbs |
| 0.5 tons | 1,000 lbs | 1,102.31 lbs | 1,120 lbs |
| 1 ton | 2,000 lbs | 2,204.62 lbs | 2,240 lbs |
| 2 tons | 4,000 lbs | 4,409.24 lbs | 4,480 lbs |
| 5 tons | 10,000 lbs | 11,023.11 lbs | 11,200 lbs |
Examples
1 US Ton (Short)
2,000 lbs
1 UK Ton (Long)
2,240 lbs
1 Metric Ton (Tonne)
2,204.62 lbs
How it works
To convert tons to pounds, multiply the ton value by the standard conversion factor:
US customary (Short Ton)
1 Short Ton = 2,000 lbs
Metric Ton (Tonne)
1 Metric Ton ≈ 2,204.62 lbs
British Imperial (Long Ton)
1 Long Ton = 2,240 lbs
Why the Names 'Short' and 'Long' Ton Exist
The terms short and long ton originate from their relation to the stone and hundredweight units in historical commerce.
Under the British system, a ton was defined as 20 hundredweights. Since a British hundredweight weighs 112 pounds, the ton was equal to 2,240 pounds (long ton). In the US, a hundredweight was simplified to exactly 100 pounds, leading to the 2,000 pound ton (short ton).
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Frequently asked questions
A short ton (2,000 lbs / 907.18 kg) is the standard US customary ton. A long ton (2,240 lbs / 1,016.05 kg) is the traditional British imperial ton. A metric ton, also called a tonne (2,204.62 lbs / 1,000 kg), is the standard International System (SI) weight unit.
In the US system, since 1 pound is 16 ounces, there are exactly 32,000 ounces in a short ton (2,000 lbs × 16 oz/lb).
A 'tonne' (spelled with an -ne at the end) is the metric ton. It represents exactly 1,000 kilograms or approximately 2,204.62 pounds. It is widely used in shipping, international trade, and scientific research.
Half a US short ton is exactly 1,000 pounds. Half a metric ton is approximately 1,102.3 pounds.
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