Convert Gigajoules to Tons of TNT

Convert Gigajoules (GJ) to Tons of TNT (t(TNT)) instantly and accurately.

Conversion Formula

t(TNT) = GJ × 0.2390057361

About Gigajoules

A gigajoule (GJ) is 10⁹ J - the scale of fossil-fuel commodity volumes. One barrel of crude oil contains ~5.80 GJ; one metric tonne of hard coal ~29.3 GJ. Canadian energy bills express household consumption in GJ: average Canadian households use ~100-130 GJ/year. A 1 GW power plant at 33% efficiency burns ~10.9 GJ/h of fuel to generate 1 GWh = 3.6 GJ of electricity. Detonation of 1 tonne of TNT releases 4.184 GJ. 1 GJ = 10⁹ J = 277.78 kWh = 947,817 BTU = 9.4782 therms.

About Tons of TNT

A ton of TNT is an energy unit defined as exactly 10⁹ thermochemical calories = 4.184 GJ. The Trinity test (first nuclear weapon, 1945) yielded ~21 kilotons TNT = 87.9 TJ. The Tsar Bomba yielded ~50 megatons TNT = 209 PJ - the largest human-made explosion in history. Hiroshima's Little Boy yielded ~15 kilotons = 62.8 TJ. The Tunguska 1908 airburst released ~10-15 megatons TNT. Earthquake magnitude 6.0 releases ~63 kilotons TNT equivalent in seismic energy. 1 t(TNT) = 4.184 GJ = 4,184 MJ = 1,162.8 kWh.

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