About the Force Converter
This force converter translates a force between SI, metric-gravitational and US customary units: newtons, kilonewtons, meganewtons, dynes, pound-force, ounce-force, kips, kilogram-force, tonne-force and poundals. Enter one value, choose its unit and all the others are shown together.
It is handy for engineering students moving between SI and imperial textbooks, for structural and mechanical engineers reading load ratings in kN or kips, for climbers and riggers checking gear rated in kN, and for anyone who wants to know what "10 kN" means in pounds. The kilogram-force output also tells you what mass that force would hold up in normal gravity.
The pound-force and kilogram-force are defined using standard gravity (9.80665 m/s²), so one lbf is exactly 4.4482216152605 N and one kgf is exactly 9.80665 N. The results are therefore exact, although the real weight of an object varies slightly with location on Earth.
With the default inputs, the newtons is 444.822 N. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the force converter
- 1Enter the force value.
- 2Select the unit it is given in (N, kN, lbf, kgf, kip…).
- 3Read the equivalents in newtons, kilonewtons, pound-force, kgf and more.
- 4Use the table for less common units such as dynes and poundals.
Formula and method
A newton is the force that accelerates 1 kg at 1 m/s² (F = m × a). Gravitational units are defined as the weight of a standard mass under standard gravity g = 9.80665 m/s²: one kilogram-force is 1 kg × 9.80665 = 9.80665 N, and one pound-force is 0.45359237 kg × 9.80665 = 4.4482216 N.
A kip is 1,000 lbf, a tonne-force is 1,000 kgf, an ounce-force is 1/16 lbf, a dyne is 1 g·cm/s² = 0.00001 N, and a poundal is the force that accelerates 1 lb at 1 ft/s² (0.138255 N). All values are converted through newtons.
- F
- Force
- m
- Mass
- g
- Standard gravity, 9.80665 m/s²
Worked examples
100 pound-force in newtons
100 × 4.4482216 = 444.82 N. Dividing by 9.80665 gives 45.36 kgf, which is the same as saying 100 lb of weight is 45.36 kg.
Climbing carabiner rated 24 kN
24 kN is 24,000 N. Dividing by 4.4482 gives 5,395 lbf, and dividing by 9.80665 gives 2,447 kgf — the static load the carabiner is rated to hold.
10 kips structural load
A kip is 1,000 lbf, so 10 kips = 10,000 lbf = 44,482 N or 44.48 kN.
Frequently asked questions
How many newtons are in a pound-force?+
One pound-force is exactly 4.4482216152605 newtons. To convert lbf to N multiply by 4.448; to convert N to lbf divide by 4.448 (or multiply by 0.2248).
How many pounds is 1 kN?+
One kilonewton equals about 224.8 pound-force, and about 102 kilogram-force. So a 10 kN rating is roughly 2,248 lbf.
What is the difference between kg and kgf?+
A kilogram is a unit of mass, while a kilogram-force is the weight of 1 kg in standard gravity, 9.80665 newtons. Scales show kg but actually measure force.
What is a kip?+
A kip (kilo-pound) is 1,000 pound-force, about 4.448 kN. It is widely used in US structural engineering for loads on beams, columns and foundations.
How do I convert newtons to kgf?+
Divide newtons by 9.80665. For example, 500 N ÷ 9.80665 = 50.99 kgf, which is roughly the weight of a 51 kg mass.