Convert Kilotons of TNT to Tons of TNT

Convert Kilotons of TNT (kt(TNT)) to Tons of TNT (t(TNT)) instantly and accurately.

Kilotons of TNT (kt(TNT))
Tons of TNT (t(TNT))

Conversion Formula

t(TNT) = kt(TNT) × 1000

About Kilotons of TNT

A kiloton of TNT (kt(TNT)) = 10³ tons of TNT = exactly 4.184 TJ. It is the standard unit for sub-megaton nuclear weapon yields. Hiroshima's Little Boy: ~12-18 kt; Nagasaki's Fat Man: ~19-23 kt. The W88 warhead (Trident II) is ~475 kt; the W76 is ~100 kt. The Beirut port explosion (2020): estimated 0.5-1.1 kt. A magnitude 5.0 earthquake releases ~0.5-2 kt of seismic energy. A kiloton blast creates a fireball ~90-100 m radius and a lethal thermal radius of ~1-2 km. 1 kt(TNT) = 4.184 TJ = 1,162.8 MWh.

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.

Quick Reference Table

Kilotons of TNT (kt(TNT))Tons of TNT (t(TNT))
1 kt(TNT)1000 t(TNT)
2 kt(TNT)2000 t(TNT)
5 kt(TNT)5000 t(TNT)
10 kt(TNT)10000 t(TNT)
25 kt(TNT)25000 t(TNT)
50 kt(TNT)50000 t(TNT)
100 kt(TNT)100000 t(TNT)

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