📌 Overview

Convert force units: newton, kilonewton, pound-force, kilogram-force, dyne, poundal and ton-force.

💪 Force Converter

Convert force units: newton, kilonewton, pound-force, kilogram-force, dyne, poundal and ton-force.

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📋 How to Use

Enter the force value.
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❓ FAQ

What is the difference between kg and kgf?

Kilogram is mass; kilogram-force is the weight that mass has under standard gravity. 1 kgf = 9.80665 N. On the Moon the same kg would produce far less force.

How many newtons is 1 pound-force?

1 lbf = 4.44822 N. US equipment specs often use lbf where metric specs use N or kN.

❓ More Questions

What is the difference between kilogram and kilogram-force?

The kilogram is a unit of mass; kilogram-force is the force that mass produces under standard gravity, 1 kgf = 9.80665 N. The same mass produces much less force on the moon.

How many newtons in 1 pound-force?

1 lbf = 4.44822 N. US equipment specs commonly use pound-force, while metric specs use newtons or kilonewtons.

💡 Use Cases

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Structural

Convert kN in load specs.

🔬

Physics

Check homework unit conversions.

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Imports

Read foreign equipment ratings.

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📖 Deep Dive: Force Converter

The international unit of force

The newton (N) is the international unit of force, defined as the force needed to give 1 kg of mass an acceleration of 1 m/s squared, i.e. 1 N = 1 kg times m/s squared.

Confusing mass and force

In daily speech "this weighs 5 kilos" mixes up mass and gravity. Strictly, 5 kg is mass; the gravity it produces at Earth's surface is about 5 times 9.80665 = 49.03 N, or 5 kgf. Distinguishing the two matters in engineering drawings.

Common conversions

1 N = 0.10197 kgf = 0.22481 lbf.

1 kgf = 9.80665 N.

1 lbf = 4.44822 N.

1 kN = 1000 N is about 102 kgf.

Practical use in engineering

Building loads are usually given in kN: a 5 kN point load is about the weight of a 510 kg object. Bolt preload and crane rated capacity are also labeled in force units, so importing equipment requires converting between lbf and kN.