Force Converter
Convert between Newtons, kilonewtons, pound-force, kilogram-force, dyne, ounce-force and poundal instantly. Type any value to update all fields.
| From | To Newtons (N) | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Newton (N) | 1 N | SI base unit — engineering, physics |
| 1 Kilonewton (kN) | 1,000 N | Structural loads, civil engineering |
| 1 Pound-force (lbf) | 4.44822 N | US/UK imperial engineering |
| 1 Kilogram-force (kgf) | 9.80665 N | European engineering, weight loading |
| 1 Ounce-force (ozf) | 0.278014 N | Small-scale imperial measurements |
| 1 Dyne (dyn) | 0.00001 N | CGS system, surface tension |
| 1 Poundal (pdl) | 0.138255 N | FPS system — foot-pound-second |
Common Force Conversion Questions
What is the SI unit of force?
The SI unit of force is the Newton (N), defined as the force required to accelerate a 1 kg mass at 1 m/s². It honours physicist Isaac Newton. In everyday terms, 1 N is roughly the weight of a 100 g apple held in your hand.
How do you convert Newtons to pound-force?
1 Newton = 0.224809 lbf. To convert N to lbf, multiply by 0.2248. Going the other way: 1 lbf = 4.44822 N. For example, 100 N ≈ 22.48 lbf, and 100 lbf ≈ 444.8 N.
What is the difference between kilogram-force and Newtons?
Kilogram-force (kgf) is the gravitational force on a 1 kg mass at standard gravity (9.80665 m/s²). So 1 kgf = 9.80665 N. This unit is still common in European engineering datasheets and spring specifications. The Newton is the modern SI standard.
What is a dyne and when is it used?
A dyne is the CGS (centimetre-gram-second) unit of force. 1 N = 100,000 dynes. Dynes appear in older scientific literature, surface tension values (dynes/cm), and some historical material property data sheets.
How is force used in UK engineering?
UK engineering uses Newtons (N) and kilonewtons (kN) for structural loads, spring rates (N/mm), and aerodynamic forces. Bolt torque is expressed in Newton-metres (N·m). US-origin equipment documentation may still reference pound-force (lbf) or kip (1 kip = 1,000 lbf).