Convert Stone (US) to Metric Ton

The stone as a unit of mass has roots dating back to ancient times, where it was used in various cultures for weighing goods, with the weight of a stone varying by country and commodity. In the UK, the stone was historically used to measure items like wool, and the weight of the stone varied (ranging from 5 to 30 pounds) based on the goods being measured. The U.S. adopted a 14-pound stone in the 19th century, primarily as a way to measure body weight, though it is now largely replaced by the pound for more precise measurements. The 14-pound stone is still used informally in some areas, especially in the context of body weight.

The metric ton was introduced in the 1790s during the creation of the metric system in France. It was established as a convenient way to represent large quantities of mass, aligning with the decimal-based nature of the system. The term "tonne" is derived from the Old French word "tonne", meaning a large cask or barrel, reflecting its use in measuring heavy loads. Over time, it became a standardized unit used globally in fields like shipping, agriculture, and environmental science.