Convert Megatons of TNT to Kilotons of TNT
Convert Megatons of TNT (Mt(TNT)) to Kilotons of TNT (kt(TNT)) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
kt(TNT) = Mt(TNT) × 1000
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 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.
Quick Reference Table
| Megatons of TNT (Mt(TNT)) | Kilotons of TNT (kt(TNT)) |
|---|---|
| 1 Mt(TNT) | 1000 kt(TNT) |
| 2 Mt(TNT) | 2000 kt(TNT) |
| 5 Mt(TNT) | 5000 kt(TNT) |
| 10 Mt(TNT) | 10000 kt(TNT) |
| 25 Mt(TNT) | 25000 kt(TNT) |
| 50 Mt(TNT) | 50000 kt(TNT) |
| 100 Mt(TNT) | 100000 kt(TNT) |