Weight Converter
Conversion Formula
Grams to Long Tons Formula
To convert between grams and long tons, use these formulas:
Long Tons to Grams Formula
Enter a value in either field above to see the conversion result in the other field.
Common Conversions
| Grams | Long Tons |
|---|---|
| 100,000 g | 0.098 ton |
| 500,000 g | 0.492 ton |
| 1,000,000 g | 0.984 ton |
| 1,016,047 g | 1.000 ton |
| 5,000,000 g | 4.921 ton |
| 10,000,000 g | 9.842 ton |
About Long Tons
Typical Use Cases
The long ton (also called UK ton, imperial ton, or gross ton) is used in British maritime shipping, naval displacement measurements, and traditional UK commodity trading. Ship capacities are often specified in long tons, coal mining operations in the UK historically used long tons, and some Commonwealth countries still employ this unit for bulk freight calculations. Maritime insurance and salvage operations frequently reference long ton measurements for vessel cargo capacity.
Historical Background
The long ton equals exactly 2,240 pounds (1,016.05 kg), derived from 20 hundredweights of 112 pounds each. This made it convenient for British trade where commodities were measured in hundredweights. The long ton became standard in the British Empire and remains in use for traditional maritime applications. It's called "long" because it's heavier than the US short ton (2,000 lbs). The Royal Navy traditionally measured ship displacement in long tons, a practice that influenced global naval architecture standards.
Conversion Tips
Key conversion: 1 long ton = 1,016.05kg, which is about 1.6% more than a metric ton (1000kg) and 12% more than a short ton (907kg). For maritime calculations: displacement tonnage uses long tons, while cargo weight increasingly uses metric tons. When reading historical British trade records or naval specifications, assume long tons unless otherwise stated. Modern UK businesses increasingly use metric tons, but long tons persist in shipping documents and traditional industries. Always clarify which ton unit applies in international contracts to avoid the approximately 120kg difference between long and short tons.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many grams are in a long ton?
One long ton (UK imperial ton) equals 1,016,046.9 grams or 1,016.05 kilograms. This is exactly 2,240 pounds.
Why is it called a "long" ton?
It's "long" because it's heavier than the US "short" ton (2,000 lbs vs 2,240 lbs). The name distinguishes it from the American standard, emphasizing the approximately 12% weight difference.
What's the difference between long tons and short tons for shipping calculations?
A long ton (1,016 kg) is 12% heavier than a short ton (907 kg)—a 109 kg difference. For a 10-ton shipment, this gap equals 1,090 kg, potentially affecting freight costs, customs duties, and cargo capacity. UK maritime documents historically used long tons, while US shipping uses short tons. Always clarify which unit applies in international contracts to avoid costly miscalculations.
Is the long ton still used in modern British shipping and naval operations?
Yes, but increasingly rare. The Royal Navy still references long tons for historical ship displacement records, and some UK maritime insurance policies use long tons for traditional coverage terms. However, modern British commercial shipping has largely adopted metric tons (1,000 kg) for international compatibility. Long tons persist mainly in legacy documentation, naval history, and specialized Commonwealth trade contexts.
How do I convert historical British trade records from long tons to grams?
Multiply long tons by 1,016,046.9 to get grams. For example, Victorian-era coal shipments listed as "50 long tons" = 50,800,000 grams (50.8 metric tons). When digitizing 19th-century manifests, customs records, or mining reports, assume long tons for UK/Empire sources unless marked "short tons" or "metric tons." Use our converter to standardize historical data for modern analysis.
Why do some ship specifications list displacement in long tons instead of metric tons?
Naval architecture tradition: displacement tonnage (the weight of water a ship displaces) was standardized in long tons during the British Empire's maritime dominance. Many ship design formulas, stability calculations, and classification society rules were built around long tons. Older vessels' documentation retains original long ton specs, even if modern references add metric conversions. For accuracy, always convert displacement figures to a single unit when comparing ships from different eras or nations.
How do I know which ton type is being used in a contract or document?
Check the document's origin: UK/Commonwealth documents historically used long tons, US documents use short tons, and modern international shipping uses metric tons. Look for explicit notation like "LT" (long ton), "ST" (short ton), or "MT" (metric ton). When in doubt, ask for clarification—the difference can be significant in large shipments. For a 100-ton cargo, the variance between long and short tons is nearly 11 metric tons (about $1,000+ in freight costs).
About Our Conversion Standards
Our weight conversions are based on the International System of Units (SI) and standards published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). All conversion factors are accurate to at least 6 decimal places, ensuring precision for both everyday and professional use.
Data Sources: NIST Handbook 44, International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), ISO 80000-3:2006
Last Verified: October 2025