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Force Converter

Convert a force between SI units (newton, millinewton, kilonewton, meganewton, dyne), gravitational metric units (gram-force, kilogram-force, tonne-force) and imperial or US units (ounce-force, pound-force, poundal, kip and short or long ton-force). Every factor is exact: 1 kgf is 9.80665 N by definition and 1 lbf is 4.4482216152605 N.

Unit Converters Runs in your browser

Convert a Force

Gravitational units such as kgf and lbf use standard gravity, exactly 9.80665 m/s². Negative values are allowed for forces in the opposite direction.

Decimals and scientific notation such as 2.5e3 are accepted.
Automatic shows exact results in full and rounds long ones to 12 significant digits.

How to Use the Force

  1. Enter the number in Value to convert.
  2. Choose the force unit you have in From unit and the one you need in To unit; the lists are grouped by system.
  3. The result, the multiplier and the formula appear straight away under the form. Swap units reverses the direction.
  4. Check the table for the same value in every unit, set Precision if you want fewer digits, or press Copy result.

About This Tool

Mechanical and civil engineers, physics students, people reading load ratings on lifting gear or anchors, and anyone comparing thrust, grip or spring figures from different countries.

Input: A number and a unit  ·  Output: The same force in every unit.

Features and Limitations

Features

  • Exact definitions: 1 kgf = 9.80665 N, 1 lbf = 4.4482216152605 N, 1 pdl = 0.138254954376 N, 1 dyn = 10⁻⁵ N.
  • Fourteen units, including kips and both short and long ton-force used in structural work.
  • Formula and one-unit equivalence for every pair.
  • Accepts negative values for direction.

Limitations

  • A kilogram is a mass, not a force. The tool converts kilogram-force (the weight of 1 kg under standard gravity); weight on Earth varies by about 0.5 % with latitude and altitude.
  • Torque (force × distance) is a different quantity; use the Torque Converter for N·m or lbf·ft.
  • Results are computed in your browser; nothing you enter is sent to a server.

Example

1 kgf = 9.80665 N. 100 lbf = 444.82216 N = 45.359237 kgf. 1 kN = 224.809 lbf = 101.972 kgf. 1 kip = 4.448222 kN.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many newtons is 1 kg?

A mass of 1 kg weighs 9.80665 N under standard gravity, which is the definition of one kilogram-force. In casual use “1 kg of force” means 1 kgf.

What is the difference between lb and lbf?

lb is a unit of mass (0.45359237 kg). lbf, pound-force, is the force that gravity exerts on that mass under standard gravity, 4.4482216 N. In everyday US usage both are written “pounds”.

What is a kip?

A kip (kilo-pound) is 1000 pound-force, about 4.448 kN. It is common in US structural and civil engineering for loads on beams and columns.

What is a poundal?

The poundal is the force that accelerates 1 lb of mass at 1 ft/s², about 0.1383 N. It belongs to the old foot-pound-second system and is rare today, but appears in older physics texts.

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