Crude Oil Price Per Tonne
To convert a barrel price into a price per metric tonne, multiply by the number of barrels in a tonne. For average crude that is 7.33 barrels, the Energy Institute's standard factor. With Brent near $106 per barrel on 13 October 2026, that gives about $777 per tonne; using Brent's own lighter density (about 7.55 barrels per tonne) gives about $800.
The formula
A barrel measures volume; a tonne measures mass. The link between them is the oil's density, so the conversion is different for every crude:
- Price per tonne = price per barrel × barrels per tonne
- Barrels per tonne ≈ 6.2898 ÷ specific gravity (6.2898 is the number of barrels in one cubic metre)
- Specific gravity = 141.5 ÷ (API gravity + 131.5)
Light crude has a high API gravity and a low density, so more barrels fit into a tonne. Heavy crude has fewer barrels per tonne. At the same price per barrel, a tonne of light crude is therefore worth more than a tonne of heavy crude.
| Crude | API gravity | Specific gravity | Barrels per tonne | $/tonne at $100/bbl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murban (Abu Dhabi) | 40 | 0.825 | 7.62 | $762 |
| WTI (US) | 39.6 | 0.827 | 7.61 | $761 |
| Brent Blend (North Sea) | 38.3 | 0.833 | 7.55 | $755 |
| World average crude (Energy Institute) | ~33 | ~0.86 | 7.33 | $733 |
| Urals (Russia) | ~31–32 | ~0.87 | ~7.25 | ~$725 |
| Dubai (UAE) | ~31 | ~0.87 | ~7.22 | ~$722 |
| Western Canadian Select | ~21.5 | ~0.925 | ~6.80 | ~$680 |
Sources: world-average factor of 7.33 barrels per tonne (0.1364 tonnes per barrel) from the Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy approximate conversion factors, based on worldwide average gravity. API gravities: ADNOC (Murban); EIA (WTI 39.6°, Brent 38.3°); published assay ranges for Urals and Dubai; Crude Monitor WCS assays (about 21–22°, 2025). Barrels per tonne for individual grades are calculated with the formula above and vary from cargo to cargo.
Barrels to tonnes converter
The converter uses the Energy Institute's world-average factor of 7.33 barrels per tonne. For a specific grade, divide barrels by that grade's factor from the table instead. A 1-million-barrel VLCC cargo of Brent-quality crude weighs about 132,000 tonnes; the same volume of WCS weighs about 147,000 tonnes.
Price per tonne at different barrel prices
| Price per barrel | Heavy (6.8 bbl/t) | Average (7.33 bbl/t) | Light (7.6 bbl/t) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $60 | $408 | $440 | $456 |
| $70 | $476 | $513 | $532 |
| $80 | $544 | $586 | $608 |
| $90 | $612 | $660 | $684 |
| $100 | $680 | $733 | $760 |
| $110 | $748 | $806 | $836 |
Calculated: price per barrel × barrels per tonne.
Why Asian and Russian trade quotes tonnes
Crude futures and benchmark prices, including Brent, WTI and Dubai, are quoted in dollars per barrel. But much of the world's oil is counted, taxed and shipped by weight:
- Customs and official statistics. China's customs administration reports crude imports in tonnes, and India's Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell publishes crude imports in thousand metric tonnes. Analysts multiply by about 7.33 to turn these into barrels per day, which is why import estimates in barrels can differ between sources.
- Russia. Russian production and export volumes have traditionally been reported in tonnes, and Russia's crude export duty, phased out by 2024 under its tax reform, was set in dollars per tonne. Western price caps and benchmarks such as Urals are quoted per barrel, so the conversion factor matters when comparing them.
- Shipping and refined products. Tankers are sized by deadweight tonnes, freight is often quoted per tonne, and many products trade by weight. ICE low-sulphur gasoil futures in London and fuel oil in Singapore are priced in dollars per metric tonne.
When a cargo price per tonne is compared with a barrel benchmark, using the wrong density can introduce errors of 5% or more. The difference between 6.8 and 7.6 barrels per tonne is almost 12%.
Today's context
Oil prices rose sharply in 2026. Brent was about $72 per barrel (roughly $530 per tonne at the average factor) at the end of February, before the Iran war disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. In mid-October it traded near $106, about $777 per tonne. For the drivers behind the move, see what moves oil prices; for other units, see oil price per barrel and crude oil price per litre.
Crude oil price per tonne FAQ
How many barrels are in a tonne of crude oil?
On average about 7.33 barrels, the Energy Institute's standard factor based on worldwide average gravity. The exact figure depends on density: light crudes such as Brent, WTI and Murban have about 7.55 to 7.6 barrels per tonne, while heavy Western Canadian Select has only about 6.8.
How do I convert the oil price per barrel to price per tonne?
Multiply the price per barrel by the number of barrels per tonne. At $100 per barrel and the average factor of 7.33, crude costs $733 per tonne. For Brent-quality crude, at about 7.55 barrels per tonne, the same barrel price equals about $755 per tonne.
How many barrels are in a tonne of heavy crude oil?
Heavy crude is denser, so a tonne holds fewer barrels. Western Canadian Select, at about 21 to 22 degrees API, works out to roughly 6.8 barrels per tonne. Extra-heavy oil at 10 degrees API, the density of water, has about 6.29 barrels per tonne.
Why is oil sometimes priced per tonne instead of per barrel?
Weight is the natural unit for shipping, customs and taxation. China and India report crude imports in tonnes, Russia has long reported output in tonnes, and refined products such as gasoil and fuel oil trade in dollars per tonne. Benchmark crude futures still use barrels, so traders convert between the two.
Related pages
Oil Price Per Barrel
Today's oil price per barrel in USD for Brent and WTI, plus calculators converting the barrel price to price per gallon and per litre.
API Gravity
What API gravity measures, the formula, light, medium and heavy thresholds, examples by grade, and why lighter crude usually sells for more.
Urals Crude
Urals crude explained: quality, export routes, the discount to Brent since 2022, the G7 price cap and how sanctions changed Russian oil pricing.
Crude Oil Benchmarks
Guide to the world's crude oil benchmarks: Brent, WTI, Dubai/Oman, Murban, OPEC basket, Urals and WCS, how each is priced and where it is used.