Convert Megatons of TNT to Joules
Convert Megatons of TNT (Mt(TNT)) to Joules (J) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
J = Mt(TNT) × 4.184000000e+15
About Megatons of TNT
A megaton of TNT (Mt(TNT)) = 10⁶ tons of TNT = exactly 4.184 PJ. The Soviet Tsar Bomba (1961) yielded ~50 Mt - the largest human-made explosion ever, with a fireball 8 km in diameter. Castle Bravo (1954) yielded ~15 Mt, 2.5× its 6 Mt design yield. Modern thermonuclear warheads typically range from 0.1-1.2 Mt. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake released ~500 Mt in seismic energy. The Krakatoa 1883 eruption released ~200 Mt; Tambora 1815 ~33,000 Mt. 1 Mt(TNT) = 4.184 PJ = 1,162,800 MWh.
About Joules
The joule (J) is the SI unit of energy, defined as one newton acting through one metre (1 J = 1 N·m = 1 kg·m²/s²). Named after James Prescott Joule, whose 1840s paddle-wheel experiments established the mechanical equivalent of heat (~4.15 J = 1 calorie). One joule is modest: it lifts a 100 g apple by 1 m, heats 0.239 mL of water by 1°C, or powers a 1 W LED for 1 second. Daily adult resting metabolism is ~6-9 MJ. 1 J = 1 W·s = 0.23901 cal = 9.4782 × 10⁻⁴ BTU = 2.7778 × 10⁻⁷ kWh.
Quick Reference Table
| Megatons of TNT (Mt(TNT)) | Joules (J) |
|---|---|
| 1 Mt(TNT) | 4.184 × 1015 J |
| 2 Mt(TNT) | 8.368 × 1015 J |
| 5 Mt(TNT) | 2.092 × 1016 J |
| 10 Mt(TNT) | 4.184 × 1016 J |
| 25 Mt(TNT) | 1.046 × 1017 J |
| 50 Mt(TNT) | 2.092 × 1017 J |
| 100 Mt(TNT) | 4.184 × 1017 J |