Convert Short Ton to Stone (US)

The short ton originated in the U.S. as a way to standardize weight measurements, particularly for bulk commodities like coal and steel. It is called "short" to distinguish it from the long ton (also known as the imperial ton), which is used in the UK and equals 2,240 pounds. The short ton became widely used in the United States during the 19th century as part of the U.S. customary system of measurements.

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.