The kilogram, the base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI), has a fascinating history tied to a physical artifact. Until 2019, it was defined by Le Grand K, a platinum-iridium cylinder stored in a vault in France. However, even slight surface contamination or material wear could alter its mass. To ensure a more stable and universally consistent measure, the kilogram is now defined by the Planck constant—a fundamental constant of nature—using a Kibble balance. This revolutionary change marked a significant milestone in metrology and brings mass measurement into line with other SI units that are already defined by fundamental constants, rather than physical objects.
A metric tonne, often simply referred to as a “tonne,” is a standard unit of mass equivalent to 1,000 kilograms, or approximately 2,204.62 pounds. Interestingly, the term “tonne” derives from the Old French word “tonne,” meaning a large cask, reflecting its historical use in trade and shipping. Unlike the imperial ton, which is usually used in the United States and equals 2,000 pounds, the metric tonne is part of the International System of Units (SI), making it a globally recognized measure, especially in trade and scientific communities.
The widespread adoption of the metric tonne simplifies international commerce, with industries like shipping and logistics relying heavily on its uniformity. Its use extends beyond everyday contexts; for instance, when scientists discuss carbon emissions or agricultural yields, they often quantify their findings in metric tonnes, emphasizing its crucial role in global environmental and economic assessments.
| Kilograms | Metric Tonnes |
|---|---|
0
kg
|
0
mt
|
1
kg
|
0.001
mt
|
2
kg
|
0.002
mt
|
3
kg
|
0.003
mt
|
4
kg
|
0.004
mt
|
5
kg
|
0.005
mt
|
6
kg
|
0.006
mt
|
7
kg
|
0.007
mt
|
8
kg
|
0.008
mt
|
9
kg
|
0.009
mt
|
10
kg
|
0.01
mt
|
11
kg
|
0.011
mt
|
12
kg
|
0.012
mt
|
13
kg
|
0.013
mt
|
14
kg
|
0.014
mt
|
15
kg
|
0.015
mt
|
16
kg
|
0.016
mt
|
17
kg
|
0.017
mt
|
18
kg
|
0.018
mt
|
19
kg
|
0.019
mt
|
20
kg
|
0.02
mt
|
21
kg
|
0.021
mt
|
22
kg
|
0.022
mt
|
23
kg
|
0.023
mt
|
24
kg
|
0.024
mt
|
25
kg
|
0.025
mt
|
26
kg
|
0.026
mt
|
27
kg
|
0.027
mt
|
28
kg
|
0.028
mt
|
29
kg
|
0.029
mt
|
30
kg
|
0.03
mt
|
31
kg
|
0.031
mt
|
32
kg
|
0.032
mt
|
33
kg
|
0.033
mt
|
34
kg
|
0.034
mt
|
35
kg
|
0.035
mt
|
36
kg
|
0.036
mt
|
37
kg
|
0.037
mt
|
38
kg
|
0.038
mt
|
39
kg
|
0.039
mt
|
40
kg
|
0.04
mt
|
41
kg
|
0.041
mt
|
42
kg
|
0.042
mt
|
43
kg
|
0.043
mt
|
44
kg
|
0.044
mt
|
45
kg
|
0.045
mt
|
46
kg
|
0.046
mt
|
47
kg
|
0.047
mt
|
48
kg
|
0.048
mt
|
49
kg
|
0.049
mt
|
50
kg
|
0.05
mt
|
51
kg
|
0.051
mt
|
52
kg
|
0.052
mt
|
53
kg
|
0.053
mt
|
54
kg
|
0.054
mt
|
55
kg
|
0.055
mt
|
56
kg
|
0.056
mt
|
57
kg
|
0.057
mt
|
58
kg
|
0.058
mt
|
59
kg
|
0.059
mt
|
60
kg
|
0.06
mt
|
61
kg
|
0.061
mt
|
62
kg
|
0.062
mt
|
63
kg
|
0.063
mt
|
64
kg
|
0.064
mt
|
65
kg
|
0.065
mt
|
66
kg
|
0.066
mt
|
67
kg
|
0.067
mt
|
68
kg
|
0.068
mt
|
69
kg
|
0.069
mt
|
70
kg
|
0.07
mt
|
71
kg
|
0.071
mt
|
72
kg
|
0.072
mt
|
73
kg
|
0.073
mt
|
74
kg
|
0.074
mt
|
75
kg
|
0.075
mt
|
76
kg
|
0.076
mt
|
77
kg
|
0.077
mt
|
78
kg
|
0.078
mt
|
79
kg
|
0.079
mt
|
80
kg
|
0.08
mt
|
81
kg
|
0.081
mt
|
82
kg
|
0.082
mt
|
83
kg
|
0.083
mt
|
84
kg
|
0.084
mt
|
85
kg
|
0.085
mt
|
86
kg
|
0.086
mt
|
87
kg
|
0.087
mt
|
88
kg
|
0.088
mt
|
89
kg
|
0.089
mt
|
90
kg
|
0.09
mt
|
91
kg
|
0.091
mt
|
92
kg
|
0.092
mt
|
93
kg
|
0.093
mt
|
94
kg
|
0.094
mt
|
95
kg
|
0.095
mt
|
96
kg
|
0.096
mt
|
97
kg
|
0.097
mt
|
98
kg
|
0.098
mt
|
99
kg
|
0.099
mt
|
100
kg
|
0.1
mt
|
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