Convert force between newtons, kilonewtons, dynes, pound-force, and kilogram-force.
Enter a value to convert.
| Unit | Equals |
|---|---|
| 1 Kilonewton | 1,000 Newtons |
| 1 Pound-force | 4.4482216152605 Newtons |
| 1 Kilogram-force | 9.80665 Newtons |
| 1 Newton | 100,000 Dynes |
| 1 Dyne | 0.00001 Newtons |
A force converter changes a measurement of force from one unit to another while representing the same physical push or pull — 1 pound-force and about 4.44822 newtons describe the same force, just counted in different units. It's useful for moving between metric force units and imperial or gravitational units.
The newton (N) is the SI (metric) unit of force, defined as the force needed to accelerate a 1 kilogram mass at 1 meter per second squared.
The base metric unit of force, used throughout physics and engineering.
1,000 newtons. Common in structural and civil engineering for describing loads and forces on larger scales.
The CGS (centimeter-gram-second) unit of force, mainly used in scientific contexts for very small forces. 1 newton equals 100,000 dynes.
Pound-force (lbf) and kilogram-force (kgf) are both units of force, not mass, even though they share names with mass units (pound and kilogram). Both are defined using standard gravity — the force that gravity exerts on a given mass at Earth's surface. This is a common point of confusion, since "pound" and "kilogram" are also used as units of mass.
Because both are tied to standard gravity by definition, they convert to newtons with an exact factor rather than an approximation.
Force conversions come up in engineering and mechanics coursework, physics homework, reading material strength ratings and tensile specifications, calculating rocket and engine thrust, and checking tension or load specifications on hardware, cables, and fasteners.
Both are units of force, but from different systems. A newton (N) is the SI unit of force. A pound-force (lbf) is the imperial/US unit. 1 pound-force equals 4.4482216152605 newtons.
Kilogram-force (kgf) is a unit of force, not mass, even though it shares a name with the kilogram (a mass unit). It is defined as the force exerted by standard gravity on a 1 kilogram mass: 1 kgf = 9.80665 newtons.
One pound-force equals approximately 4.44822 newtons (exactly 4.4482216152605 N).
The dyne is the unit of force in the CGS (centimeter-gram-second) system, used for measuring very small forces in scientific contexts. 1 dyne equals 0.00001 newtons (10 micronewtons).
Multiply the kilogram-force value by 9.80665. For example, 1 kgf equals 9.80665 newtons.
Both use the word "pound," but they measure different things. A pound (lb) measures mass, while a pound-force (lbf) measures the force gravity exerts on a mass of one pound. They are related but not interchangeable.
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