Force Converter
Convert between newtons, kilonewtons, dynes, kilogram-force, pound-force, poundals, and more force units — for physics, engineering, and mechanics.
Each step along the axis is ten times the one before — the force units span 11 orders of magnitude, so a straight scale would bunch almost all of them at one end.
Instant insight
That is about the same as the weight of a small apple
1 newtons — About 1 N.
Anchors like this are the quickest way to catch an answer that is out by a factor of ten.
Kilogram-force is not a newton
One kgf is about 9.81 N. Older equipment and some markets still label loads in kgf or kp.
If a rating looks about a tenth of what you expect in newtons, it is almost certainly kgf.
Check the direction of the conversion
Going from newton to kilonewton, the number should get bigger if the new unit is smaller, and smaller if it is bigger.
If it moved the wrong way, the factor has been applied upside down — the most common conversion error there is.
Worked out in your browser — nothing is sent anywhere. Comparison figures are approximate.
Common conversions
Quick Reference — 1 unit = ? Kilonewton (kN)
| Unit | Value |
|---|---|
| Newton (N) | 0.001 |
| Kilonewton (kN) | 1 |
| Meganewton (MN) | 1000 |
| Dyne (dyn) | 1e-8 |
| Kilogram-force (kgf) | 0.00980665 |
| Gram-force (gf) | 0.00000980665 |
| Pound-force (lbf) | 0.00444822 |
| Ounce-force (ozf) | 0.000278014 |
Formula
Multiply by (from factor / to factor) | F = m × a (Newton's second law)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a newton, and how is it defined?
1 newton (N) is the SI unit of force, defined as the force needed to accelerate a 1 kg mass at 1 m/s² (F = m × a). It is named after Sir Isaac Newton. For everyday reference: an average apple weighs about 1 N under Earth gravity; a 1 kg bag of sugar weighs about 9.8 N; an adult human weighs roughly 700–800 N (70–80 kg × 9.8 m/s²).
What is the difference between mass (kg) and force/weight (N)?
Mass is the amount of matter in an object and never changes (measured in kg). Weight is the force gravity exerts on that mass (measured in newtons): Weight (N) = mass (kg) × gravitational acceleration (9.80665 m/s² on Earth). A 10 kg object weighs 98.07 N on Earth but only about 16.2 N on the Moon (1/6th gravity). "Kilogram-force" (kgf) is a non-SI unit that confusingly uses a mass unit name to express a force — 1 kgf = 9.80665 N exactly, by definition.
How do you convert pound-force (lbf) to newtons?
1 lbf = 4.44822 N. To convert lbf to N, multiply by 4.448. To convert N to lbf, divide by 4.448 (or multiply by 0.2248). Pound-force is common in US engineering specs: bolt torque ratings, rocket engine thrust (e.g. the Saturn V first stage produced 7.5 million lbf = 33.4 million N), and tensile strength of materials (often given in lbf or psi = lbf/in²).
What is a dyne, and where does it come from?
1 dyne = 10⁻⁵ newtons — a unit from the older CGS (centimetre-gram-second) system, defined as the force needed to accelerate a 1-gram mass at 1 cm/s². It is tiny: a dyne is roughly the weight of a mosquito. Dynes still appear in some older physics, chemistry, and surface-tension literature (e.g. surface tension is often quoted in dynes/cm), but the newton has replaced it in modern SI-based science and engineering.
What is the difference between a poundal and a pound-force?
These are easily confused but very different: 1 pound-force (lbf) = the weight of a 1-pound mass under standard gravity = 4.448 N. 1 poundal (pdl) = the force needed to accelerate a 1-pound mass at 1 ft/s² = 0.138255 N — about 32.17 times smaller than a pound-force (since standard gravity ≈ 32.17 ft/s²). The poundal belongs to the foot-pound-second (FPS) absolute system, which is rarely used today outside of historical British engineering texts.
How much force do everyday and industrial activities involve?
Reference force benchmarks: a human bicep curl: ~100–300 N. A car engine's peak piston force: several thousand N. A small drone's thrust: 5–20 N per motor. A commercial jet engine at takeoff: 100,000–400,000 N (100–400 kN) of thrust per engine. A car crash at 50 km/h into a wall can generate peak forces over 50,000 N on the occupant restraint system. Structural bolts are often rated by tensile force capacity in kN — a standard M12 bolt typically handles around 50–70 kN before failure.