Weight Converter
Conversion Formula
Grams to Short Tons Formula
To convert between grams and short tons, use these formulas:
Short Tons to Grams Formula
Enter a value in either field above to see the conversion result in the other field.
Common Conversions
| Grams | Short Tons |
|---|---|
| 100,000 g | 0.110 ton |
| 250,000 g | 0.276 ton |
| 500,000 g | 0.551 ton |
| 907,185 g | 1.000 ton |
| 1,000,000 g | 1.102 ton |
| 5,000,000 g | 5.512 ton |
About Short Tons
Typical Use Cases
The short ton (also called US ton or net ton) is the standard ton measurement in the United States for commercial freight, construction materials, and industrial production. Trucking companies rate vehicle capacity in short tons, steel mills measure output in tons, and construction sites order concrete and aggregates by the ton. Coal, aggregates, scrap metal, and bulk commodities are almost universally traded in short tons within the US domestic market.
Historical Background
The short ton was standardized in the United States as exactly 2,000 pounds (907.18 kg) to simplify calculations in the decimal system. It's "short" compared to the British long ton (2,240 lbs) but remains the default "ton" in American commerce. The short ton became the US standard through the Weights and Measures Act, aligning with the American preference for base-10 calculations. Despite global metrication, the short ton remains deeply embedded in US industry and infrastructure.
Conversion Tips
Remember: 1 short ton = 907.18 kg (about 10% less than a metric ton of 1000kg). For quick estimates: 1 ton ≈ 0.9 metric tons. When dealing with international shipping, always specify "short tons" to avoid confusion with metric tons (1000kg) or long tons (1016kg). The 10% difference between short and metric tons can significantly impact pricing and logistics in bulk commodity trades. Many US industries use tons and pounds interchangeably (2000 lbs = 1 ton).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many grams are in a short ton?
One short ton (US ton) equals 907,184.7 grams or 907.18 kilograms. This is exactly 2,000 pounds.
What's the difference between short tons, long tons, and metric tons?
A short ton (US) = 907.18kg, a long ton (UK) = 1016.05kg, and a metric ton = 1000kg. Short tons are about 10% lighter than metric tons and about 12% lighter than long tons.
Why does the US use short tons instead of metric tons?
Historical reasons and infrastructure costs. The entire US freight, construction, and manufacturing industry is built around short tons. Converting would require massive systemic changes to scales, trucks, pricing systems, and regulations.
Are shipping containers measured in short tons?
International shipping primarily uses metric tons, but US domestic trucking uses short tons. Container weight limits are typically specified in both units to accommodate different markets.
How does the short ton affect waste management and recycling?
US waste management and recycling industries operate entirely in short tons for landfill capacity, truck weight limits, and material pricing. Municipal solid waste facilities report annual tonnage to the EPA in short tons, while recycling centers pay for scrap metal and paper by the ton. A typical garbage truck can legally carry about 10 short tons before hitting weight restrictions. When calculating carbon footprint or diversion rates, using metric tons instead of short tons introduces a 10% error. Environmental reports must specify which ton standard they use, as international climate frameworks use metric tons while US regulations cite short tons, complicating cross-border compliance comparisons.
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