This force converter changes a force between newtons, kilonewtons, pound-force, kilogram-force, dynes, poundals and kips. Formula: 1 kgf = 9.80665 N; 1 lbf ≈ 4.448221615 N. Every unit is defined through the newton, the force that accelerates 1 kg at 1 m/s². The kilogram-force is exactly 9.80665 N, and the pound-force is exactly 4.4482216152605 N.
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How to use the force converter
- Enter the force, for example 22 from a kN rating stamped on hardware.
- Choose its unit and the unit you need, such as kN to lbf.
- Read the result, rounded only for display.
Force units are not mass units. A scale reading of 70 kg is a mass; the force it exerts under standard gravity is 70 kgf, or about 686.5 N.
What is force?
Force is a push or pull that changes an object’s motion. The SI unit is the newton (N), the force that accelerates 1 kg at 1 m/s². One pound-force is about 4.448 N and one kilogram-force is exactly 9.80665 N.
Conversion formula
The force converter stores every unit as a multiple of the base unit, the newton (N). To convert:
value in target unit = value × (factor of source unit ÷ factor of target unit)
where each factor is the size of the unit in newtons.
Common force conversions
| From | To | 1 unit equals |
|---|---|---|
| newton (N) | pound-force (lbf) | 0.2248089 lbf |
| pound-force (lbf) | newton (N) | 4.448222 N |
| kilogram-force (kgf) | newton (N) | 9.80665 N |
| newton (N) | kilogram-force (kgf) | 0.1019716 kgf |
| kilonewton (kN) | pound-force (lbf) | 224.8089 lbf |
| dyne (dyn) | newton (N) | 1 × 10−5 N |
| poundal (pdl) | newton (N) | 0.138255 N |
| kip (kip) | kilonewton (kN) | 4.448222 kN |
Force converter worked example
Convert 25 kilonewtons to pounds-force:
- Factor of kN = 1,000 N
- Factor of lbf = 4.4482216 N
- 25 × 1,000 ÷ 4.4482216 = 5,620.224 lbf
Force unit reference
| Unit | Symbol | Group | Equals (N) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newton | N | SI | 1 |
| Kilonewton | kN | SI | 1,000 |
| Meganewton | MN | SI | 1,000,000 |
| Dyne | dyn | CGS | 1 × 10−5 |
| Kilogram-force | kgf | Metric Engineering | 9.80665 |
| Pound-force | lbf | US/Imperial | 4.448221615 |
| Poundal | pdl | US Engineering | 0.1382549544 |
| Ounce-force | ozf | US/Imperial | 0.278013851 |
| Ton-force (US short) | tonf US | US | 8,896.443231 |
| Sthène (MTS) | sn | MTS | 1,000 |
| Kip (kilo-pound-force) | kip | US Engineering | 4,448.221615 |
Reverse factors for each force unit
The force converter reference table gives each unit in newtons. To go the other way, divide by that factor; the list below does the division for you.
- Kilonewton (kN), SI: 1 kN = 1,000 N, so 1 N = 0.001 kN.
- Meganewton (MN), SI: 1 MN = 1,000,000 N, so 1 N = 1 × 10−6 MN.
- Dyne (dyn), CGS: 1 dyn = 1 × 10−5 N, so 1 N = 100,000 dyn.
- Kilogram-force (kgf), Metric Engineering: 1 kgf = 9.80665 N, so 1 N = 0.1019716 kgf.
- Pound-force (lbf), US/Imperial: 1 lbf = 4.448222 N, so 1 N = 0.2248089 lbf.
- Poundal (pdl), US Engineering: 1 pdl = 0.138255 N, so 1 N = 7.233014 pdl.
- Ounce-force (ozf), US/Imperial: 1 ozf = 0.2780139 N, so 1 N = 3.596943 ozf.
- Ton-force (US short) (tonf US), US: 1 tonf US = 8,896.443 N, so 1 N = 0.0001124045 tonf US.
- Sthène (MTS) (sn), MTS: 1 sn = 1,000 N, so 1 N = 0.001 sn.
- Kip (kilo-pound-force) (kip), US Engineering: 1 kip = 4,448.222 N, so 1 N = 0.0002248089 kip.
Load ratings in kilonewtons
Rated loads on lifting, rigging and climbing hardware are often stamped in kilonewtons. For kN to lbf, multiply by about 224.81; for kN to kgf, multiply by about 101.97:
| kN | lbf | kgf |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 225 | 102 |
| 5 | 1,124 | 510 |
| 10 | 2,248 | 1,020 |
| 20 | 4,496 | 2,039 |
| 22 | 4,946 | 2,243 |
| 25 | 5,620 | 2,549 |
| 50 | 11,240 | 5,099 |
| 100 | 22,481 | 10,197 |
Always use the rating and safety factor set by the manufacturer; the table only translates units.
Weight, mass and the kilogram-force
Weight is a force: mass times the local acceleration of gravity. The kilogram-force and pound-force use standard gravity, 9.80665 m/s² exactly, so 1 kg of mass weighs 1 kgf, or 9.80665 N. To go from kgf to newtons, multiply by 9.80665. Converting newtons to pounds of force means dividing by 4.44822. For mass units such as kilograms and pounds, use the weight converter.
Safety ratings for lifting gear
Ropes, slings and hoists list strength in kilonewtons, pounds-force or kilograms-force, and the force converter helps you compare them. In the force converter, a climbing sling marked 22 kN holds about 4,946 lbf or 2,243 kgf. A rope with a 30 kN breaking strength holds about 6,744 lbf. Breaking strength is not a working load. With a 5:1 safety factor, that rope’s working load limit is 6 kN, about 1,349 lbf or 612 kgf. Always use the working load limit printed by the maker, and use the force converter only to read it in familiar units.
Related converters and calculators
Force connects to pressure, torque and acceleration:
- Pressure converter: force per area
- Torque converter: N·m and lbf·ft
- Acceleration converter: m/s² and g
- Weight converter: kg, lb and oz
- Mass calculator: from density and volume
Sources
NIST Special Publication 811, Appendix B; BIPM: SI Brochure.
Questions about this calculator
What is the SI unit of force?
The newton (N), the force that gives a 1 kg mass an acceleration of 1 m/s².
How do I convert newtons to pounds of force?
Divide newtons by 4.44822. For example, 100 N = 22.48 lbf.
How do I convert kgf to newtons?
Multiply by 9.80665, which is exact. For example, 50 kgf = 490.33 N.
How do I convert kN to lbf?
Multiply kilonewtons by 224.809. For example, 22 kN = 4,946 lbf.
Is a kilogram a unit of force?
No. The kilogram is a unit of mass. The kilogram-force (kgf) is the weight of 1 kg under standard gravity, 9.80665 N.
What is a kip?
A kip is 1,000 pound-force, about 4,448.22 N. It is used in US structural engineering.
Check the assumptions and units before relying on a result. Financial, tax and health estimates do not replace advice for your individual circumstances.
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