Ton
Abbreviation/Symbol:
ton
Worldwide use:
Despite the widespread use of the metric system in many parts of the world, the ton continues to be used in certain industries and regions. For example, in the United Kingdom, the ton is commonly used in the shipping and construction industries. Additionally, some countries that have historical ties to the British Empire, such as Australia and Canada, also use the Imperial ton in specific applications.
The short ton, also known as the net ton or US ton, is a unit of weight commonly used in the United States and some other countries. It is also commonly used in the shipping and transportation industries for calculating freight charges based on weight.
Definition:
A ton is a unit of measurement used to quantify mass or weight. There are three main types of tons: the metric ton (also known as the tonne) and the imperial ton and the short ton (used in the USA). They are commonly used in international trade and commerce as a standard unit for measuring large quantities of goods such as grains, metals, and other commodities.
Usage context:
More information on the metric ton (or tonne).
More information on the Imperial ton (or long ton).
More information on the Short ton (or American / English ton).