Force Converter
Convert force into N, lbf, kgf, kN and the other units at once.
The size of each unit in newtons is listed below. The converter first turns your force into newtons, then divides by the size of each unit.
| Unit | Size of one unit | Definition and source |
|---|---|---|
| Newton (SI) | ||
| kN (kilonewton) | 1,000 N | 1,000 N (SI prefix kilo) |
| N (newton) | 1 N | The SI unit of force: the force that gives a mass of 1 kg an acceleration of 1 m/s² |
| mN (millinewton) | 0.001 N | 1/1,000 of a newton |
| Kilogram-force (kgf) | ||
| kgf (kilogram-force) | 9.80665 N | Exactly 9.80665 N: the force a mass of 1 kg feels at standard gravity (9.80665 m/s²). A unit of force, not the kilogram of mass. NIST SP 811 |
| Pound-force (lbf) | ||
| lbf (pound-force) | 4.4482216152605 N | About 4.448222 N: the force a mass of 1 lb (0.45359237 kg) feels at standard gravity. A unit of force, not the pound of mass. NIST lists 4.448 222 N. NIST SP 811 |
| Dyne (CGS system) | ||
| dyn (dyne) | 0.00001 N | Exactly 10⁻⁵ N: the force that gives a mass of 1 g an acceleration of 1 cm/s². NIST SP 811 |
The calculation uses exact fractions, and the only rounding is the one applied when a value is displayed.
lbf and kgf are units of force, not of mass
- lbf is the pound-force. It is a unit of force, not the pound (lb) of mass. 1 lbf is the force that a mass of 1 lb (exactly 0.45359237 kg) feels at standard gravity (exactly 9.80665 m/s²), which works out to about 4.448222 N.
- kgf is the kilogram-force, also a unit of force: exactly 9.80665 N, the force that a mass of 1 kg feels at standard gravity.
- This tool converts force to force. It has no input for mass. To get a weight in newtons from a mass, multiply the mass in kilograms by the local gravitational acceleration (about 9.80665 m/s² at standard gravity).
- For torque (a force times a distance, such as lbf·ft), use the Torque Converter. For pressure (force per area, such as psi), use the Pressure Converter.
Examples
- 1 kgf = 9.80665 N (exact)
- 1 lbf = about 4.448222 N
- 100 N = about 22.48089 lbf = about 10.19716 kgf
- 10 lbf = about 44.48222 N
- 500 kgf = 4,903.325 N = about 4.903325 kN
- 1 dyn = 0.00001 N
Notes
- You can enter decimals (up to 12 digits before the decimal point and 6 decimal places). Use a period as the decimal separator. Commas are accepted only as thousands separators, for example 1,234.5. Negative values cannot be entered.
- The conversions are for reference. For a load rating, a bolt or a safety-critical figure, use the number and the unit stated by the manufacturer or the applicable standard.
Sources
The definitions on this page come from the sources below (checked on November 1, 2026). The kilogram-force and dyne rows of NIST SP 811 Appendix B.8 and the FORCE section of Appendix B.9 (dyne, kilogram-force, pound-force) were read word for word. Appendix B marks exact factors in boldface: kilogram-force (9.806 65 N) and dyne (1.0 E−05 N) are exact, and pound-force (4.448 222 N) is not marked exact in the table; this tool derives it from the exact pound and standard gravity. The text of the footnote that some rows refer to was not read.
Frequently asked questions
How many newtons is one pound-force?
About 4.448222 N (4.4482216152605 N, from 0.45359237 kg × 9.80665 m/s²).
How many pounds-force is 100 newtons?
About 22.48089 lbf.
Is a kilogram-force the same as a kilogram?
No. A kilogram is a unit of mass. A kilogram-force is the force that 1 kg of mass feels at standard gravity, exactly 9.80665 N.
Is lbf the same as lb?
No. lb is the pound of mass and lbf is the pound-force. They are different quantities, so this tool names the unit lbf.