The exact equivalent
A metric tonne is exactly 1,000 kilograms. The conversion is a decimal shift, which is the whole point of the metric system.
1 t = 1,000 kg
1 kg = 0.001 t
How to convert it by hand
Just multiply by the conversion factor. To go from tonnes to kilograms, multiply by 1,000; to come back, divide by that same number or multiply by 0.001.
For example: 25 t × 1,000 = 25,000 kg.
A tip that saves mistakes: check the result goes the way you expect. If kilograms are a smaller unit than tonnes, the number has to come out bigger. If it comes out smaller, you divided when you should have multiplied.
Conversion table
| t | kg |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1,000 |
| 2 | 2,000 |
| 5 | 5,000 |
| 10 | 10,000 |
| 20 | 20,000 |
| 50 | 50,000 |
| 100 | 100,000 |
Reference points to picture it
| Reference | Equals |
|---|---|
| A small car | 1.2 t = 1,200 kg |
| A shipping container's payload | 26 t = 26,000 kg |
| A cubic metre of water | 1 t = 1,000 kg |
| An adult elephant | 5 t = 5,000 kg |
The trick for doing it in your head
Move the decimal point three places right. There is nothing to approximate here.
It is fine for getting by without a phone, but not for anything that depends on precision: in a recipe, on a building site or in a dose, use the exact conversion.