How to use
- Type a force in Value, such as 100.
- Pick From and To: newtons, kilonewtons, pounds-force, kilograms-force, kips and more.
- Read the answer, with the exact factor below it.
How the conversion works
Every unit goes through the newton (N), the SI unit of force. One newton accelerates 1 kg by 1 m/s².
| Unit | In newtons |
|---|---|
| 1 dyne (dyn) | 0.00001 |
| 1 gram-force (gf) | 0.00980665 |
| 1 ounce-force (ozf) | 0.27801385 |
| 1 pound-force (lbf) | 4.4482216 |
| 1 kilogram-force (kgf) | 9.80665 |
| 1 kilonewton (kN) | 1,000 |
| 1 kip (1,000 lbf) | 4,448.2216 |
| 1 tonne-force (1,000 kgf) | 9,806.65 |
Kilogram-force and pound-force use standard gravity, exactly 9.80665 m/s², so these factors are exact.
Examples
- 100 N: 22.48 lbf, or 10.2 kgf
- The weight of a 70 kg mass under standard gravity: 70 × 9.80665 = 686.47 N
- 10 kN: 1,019.7 kgf, or 2,248.1 lbf
- A 20 tonne-force press: 196.13 kN
Force conversion charts
| Newtons | lbf | kgf |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.22 | 0.1 |
| 10 | 2.25 | 1.02 |
| 50 | 11.24 | 5.1 |
| 100 | 22.48 | 10.2 |
| 500 | 112.4 | 50.99 |
| 1,000 | 224.81 | 101.97 |
| 5,000 | 1,124.04 | 509.86 |
| lbf | Newtons | kgf |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4.45 | 0.454 |
| 5 | 22.24 | 2.268 |
| 10 | 44.48 | 4.536 |
| 50 | 222.41 | 22.68 |
| 100 | 444.82 | 45.359 |
| 1,000 | 4,448.22 | 453.592 |
More detail: mass or force?
- A kilogram measures mass. A kilogram-force is the weight of that mass under standard gravity.
- Real gravity varies a little from place to place, so a real weight can differ slightly from the standard value.
- The US ton-force here is 2,000 lbf (about 8.896 kN). The tonne-force is 1,000 kgf (9.80665 kN).
- The rarely used poundal (about 0.138 N) is not included.
Turning a force at a distance? Use the torque converter.