Force Converter
Quick answer: Choose a starting unit and a target unit, then enter a value. Common conversions: 1 N = 0.2248089 lbf; 1 N = 0.001 kN; 1 N = 0.1019716 kgf. This converter covers 7 force units.
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Use the Force Converter
Force formula and what each symbol means
target = value × (factor of starting unit ÷ factor of target unit), where each factor is the unit value in N.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| value | The number you want to convert |
| factor | The unit’s size expressed in the base unit (N) |
Force examples
N to lbf
10 N = 2.248089 lbf.
N to kN
10 N = 0.01 kN.
N to kgf
10 N = 1.019716 kgf.
How to calculate Force step by step
- Choose the starting unit and the target unit.
- Enter your value.
- Read the converted value, plus the conversion factor in both directions.
Popular force conversions
- Newtons to Kilonewtons converter
- Newtons to Kilogram-force converter
- Newtons to Pound-force converter
- Kilonewtons to Newtons converter
- Kilonewtons to Kilogram-force converter
- Kilonewtons to Pound-force converter
- Kilogram-force to Newtons converter
- Kilogram-force to Kilonewtons converter
- Kilogram-force to Pound-force converter
- Pound-force to Newtons converter
- Pound-force to Kilonewtons converter
- Pound-force to Kilogram-force converter
How to read your Force result
The newton is the force that gives 1 kg an acceleration of 1 m/s². A kilogram-force is the weight of 1 kg under standard gravity, exactly 9.80665 N, and a pound-force is exactly 4.4482216152605 N.
| UNIT | SYMBOL | EQUALS | VALUE OF 1 N |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newton | N | 1 N = 1 N | 1 N |
| Kilonewton | kN | 1 kN = 1,000 N | 0.001 kN |
| Kilogram-force | kgf | 1 kgf = 9.80665 N | 0.1019716 kgf |
| Pound-force | lbf | 1 lbf = 4.4482216 N | 0.2248089 lbf |
| Ounce-force | ozf | 1 ozf = 0.27801385 N | 3.596943 ozf |
| Dyne | dyn | 1 dyn = 0.00001 N | 100,000 dyn |
| Poundal | pdl | 1 pdl = 0.13825495 N | 7.233014 pdl |
Common mistakes when calculating Force
- Treating kilograms as a unit of force: kgf is a force, kg is a mass.
- Mixing pound (mass) with pound-force.
- Rounding g to 9.8 when high precision is needed.
Force FAQ
How many newtons are in a kilogram-force?
Exactly 9.80665 newtons.
How many newtons are in a pound-force?
About 4.44822 newtons.
How many newtons does a 1 kg mass weigh?
About 9.81 N under standard gravity.
What is the base unit for force?
This converter uses newton (N) as the common base unit: every value is first converted to it and then to the target unit.
How do I convert between two force units?
Choose the starting and target units, enter the value and read the result. By hand: convert to the base unit with the table, then divide by the target unit factor.
How many pound-force are in 1 newton?
1 N = 0.2248089 lbf.
How many kilonewtons are in 1 newton?
1 N = 0.001 kN.
How many kilogram-force are in 1 newton?
1 N = 0.1019716 kgf.
Which force units does this converter support?
It covers 7 units: newton (N), kilonewton (kN), kilogram-force (kgf), pound-force (lbf), ounce-force (ozf), dyne (dyn), poundal (pdl).
How accurate is the force converter?
Results are calculated at full double precision and shown to about 8 significant figures. Round the answer to the precision of your original measurement; a result cannot be more accurate than the number you started with.
More in Force converters
- Kilogram-force to Kilonewtons Converter
- Pound-force to Newtons Converter
- Kilogram-force to Newtons Converter
- Pound-force to Kilonewtons Converter
- Kilogram-force to Pound-force Converter
- Pound-force to Kilogram-force Converter
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Method, review and disclaimer
Edited by: Hemant Kumar and Anjita Rai, founders of ToolsVault (SEO and content professional, not a licensed adviser). Method: this tool runs in your browser using the formula shown on this page; the numbers you enter are not sent to our servers. Sources: NIST SP 811, Appendix B.8: conversion factors