A newton is the force that accelerates 1 kg at 1 m/s². Pound-force and kilogram-force are “gravitational” units: the weight of a pound or a kilogram under standard gravity (9.80665 m/s²).
How to use the Force Converter
- Pick the unit you are starting from in the From menu and type your value.
- Pick the unit you want in the To menu. The heading changes to match – for example “Newtons to Kilonewtons Converter”.
- The most common force units are shown below at the same time, so you can compare them at a glance.
- Type into any result to convert backwards, then use Copy results – the copied text starts with the heading for your chosen units.
Results update as you type. Everything is calculated in your browser.
How it works
Every force unit is defined by an exact factor relative to the newton (the base unit). The calculator first turns the value you type into newtons, then turns that into the unit you picked in the “To” menu and into each of the common units below it. This two-step method means any unit can be converted to any other – 11 units are available in each menu – and you can type into any field, including a result, to work in the other direction. Changing a unit menu keeps the quantity the same and just re-expresses it, and the page heading and copied results follow your choice.
How to convert force units
- Choose the unit you have in the From menu and type the value, for example 100 N.
- Choose the unit you want in the To menu, for example kilonewtons. The page heading changes to “Newtons to Kilonewtons Converter”.
- The calculator multiplies by the newton factor of the “from” unit and divides by the factor of the “to” unit: 100 N × 1 ÷ 1,000 = 0.1 kN.
1 newton in common units
| Unit | Value |
|---|---|
| Kilonewtons (kN) | 0.001 |
| Pounds-force (lbf) | 0.22480894 |
| Kilograms-force (kgf) | 0.10197162 |
| Dynes (dyn) | 100,000 |
| Grams-force (gf) | 101.97162 |
| Tonnes-force (tf) | 0.00010197162 |
| Kips (kip) | 0.00022480894 |
| Poundals (pdl) | 7.2330139 |
Newtons conversion table
| Newtons | kN | lbf | kgf | dyn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.001 | 0.22480894 | 0.10197162 | 100,000 |
| 10 | 0.01 | 2.2480894 | 1.0197162 | 1,000,000 |
| 100 | 0.1 | 22.480894 | 10.197162 | 10,000,000 |
| 500 | 0.5 | 112.40447 | 50.985811 | 50,000,000 |
| 1,000 | 1 | 224.80894 | 101.97162 | 99,999,999.9999999851 |
| 10,000 | 10 | 2,248.0894 | 1,019.7162 | 999,999,999.9999998808 |
What is a newton?
The newton is the SI unit of force: the force that accelerates one kilogram at one metre per second squared. A small apple weighs about 1 N.
What is a pound-force?
A pound-force is the weight of one pound mass under standard gravity, about 4.448 N. Thrust and load ratings in the U.S. are given in lbf.
Common mistakes to avoid
Confusing mass (kg, lb) with force (n, lbf, kgf); a kilogram is a mass, a kilogram-force is a force.
Formula
1 N = 0.001 kN1 N = 0.22480894 lbf1 N = 0.10197162 kgf1 N = 100,000 dyn1 N = 101.97162 gfWorked example
Inputs — From: 100 N.
Results — To = 0.1 kN; Pounds-force = 22.48089431 lbf; Kilograms-force = 10.19716213 kgf; Dynes = 10,000,000 dyn; Grams-force = 10,197.16212978 gf; Tonnes-force = 0.01019716 tf; Kips = 0.02248089 kip.
Frequently asked questions
How many newtons is 1 kgf?
9.80665 N.
How many newtons is 1 lbf?
About 4.448 N.
What is a kip?
1,000 pounds-force, used in structural engineering.
How do I change the units?
Pick any unit in the From and To menus. The value is converted in place, and the heading changes to show your conversion, for example “Newtons to Kilonewtons Converter”.
Can I type into any field?
Yes. Every field is editable, so you can start from whichever unit you have.
How many units can I convert between?
11 force units, from the everyday to the specialised.
Which units are exact?
All factors here are exact by definition except astronomical and similar reference values, which use internationally agreed constants.
What formula does the Force Converter use?
1 N = 0.001 kN.