Force Converter
Welcome to the comprehensive force converter designed for converting between newtons, pounds-force, kilogram-force, dynes, and all major force units. Perfect for physics students, mechanical engineers, structural engineers, and anyone working with force calculations in mechanics, dynamics, and engineering applications.
Universal Force Converter
Convert Any Force Unit Instantly
Select your units and enter a value to convert between all major force measurements.
Conversion Result
Quick Conversions
Common Force Conversions
1 Newton
1 Newton
1 Kilogram-Force
1 Pound-Force
Force Conversion Formulas
Newton's Second Law
\[ F = m \times a \]
Force equals mass times acceleration (1 N = 1 kg·m/s²)
Newtons to Kilogram-Force
\[ \text{kgf} = \frac{\text{Newtons}}{9.80665} \]
Example: 100 N = 100 ÷ 9.80665 = 10.197 kgf
Newtons to Pound-Force
\[ \text{lbf} = \text{Newtons} \times 0.224809 \]
Example: 100 N = 100 × 0.224809 = 22.48 lbf
Understanding Force Units
Newton (N)
The newton is the SI unit of force, named after Sir Isaac Newton. One newton is the force required to accelerate one kilogram of mass at one meter per second squared. Defined as kg·m/s², the newton is fundamental in physics and engineering. A medium-sized apple weighs approximately one newton on Earth.
Kilogram-Force (kgf)
Kilogram-force, also called kilopond, is the force exerted by one kilogram of mass in standard Earth gravity (9.80665 m/s²). While not an SI unit, it's commonly used in engineering specifications, especially in European and Asian countries. One kilogram-force equals exactly 9.80665 newtons.
Pound-Force (lbf)
The pound-force is the force exerted by one pound of mass in standard Earth gravity. Used primarily in the United States for engineering, mechanics, and everyday applications. One pound-force equals approximately 4.448 newtons. Engine thrust, structural loads, and mechanical specifications often use pound-force.
Dyne (dyn)
The dyne is the CGS (centimeter-gram-second) unit of force. One dyne is the force required to accelerate one gram of mass at one centimeter per second squared. A very small unit, one dyne equals 0.00001 newtons or 10 micronewtons. Used primarily in older scientific literature and some specialized applications.
Kip
A kip is a unit of force equal to 1,000 pounds-force, commonly used in structural engineering in the United States. The name comes from "kilo-pound." One kip equals approximately 4,448.22 newtons or 4.448 kilonewtons. Structural steel specifications and building loads are often expressed in kips.
Comprehensive Conversion Tables
SI Force Units
| Unit | Newtons | kgf | lbf |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Newton | 1 N | 0.102 kgf | 0.225 lbf |
| 1 Kilonewton | 1,000 N | 101.97 kgf | 224.81 lbf |
| 1 Meganewton | 1,000,000 N | 101,972 kgf | 224,809 lbf |
| 1 Dyne | 0.00001 N | 1.02×10⁻⁶ kgf | 2.25×10⁻⁶ lbf |
Gravitational Force Units
| Unit | Newtons | Kilogram-Force | Pound-Force |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Kilogram-Force | 9.807 N | 1 kgf | 2.205 lbf |
| 1 Gram-Force | 0.00981 N | 0.001 kgf | 0.00221 lbf |
| 1 Ton-Force (metric) | 9,806.65 N | 1,000 kgf | 2,204.62 lbf |
Imperial Force Units
| Unit | Newtons | Pound-Force | kgf |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Pound-Force | 4.448 N | 1 lbf | 0.454 kgf |
| 1 Ounce-Force | 0.278 N | 0.0625 lbf | 0.0284 kgf |
| 1 Kip | 4,448.22 N | 1,000 lbf | 453.59 kgf |
| 1 Poundal | 0.138 N | 0.0311 lbf | 0.0141 kgf |
Practical Conversion Examples
Example 1: Converting Weight to Force
A 75 kg person stands on Earth. Calculate the force exerted.
\[ F = m \times g = 75 \text{ kg} \times 9.81 \text{ m/s}^2 = 735.75 \text{ N} \]
Result: 75 kg mass exerts 735.75 N force
Example 2: Structural Load Conversion
A beam supports 50 kN. Convert to kilogram-force.
\[ 50,000 \text{ N} \div 9.80665 = 5,098.6 \text{ kgf} \]
Result: 50 kN = 5,098.6 kilogram-force
Example 3: Engine Thrust
An aircraft engine produces 100,000 lbf of thrust. Convert to kilonewtons.
\[ 100,000 \text{ lbf} \times 4.44822 = 444,822 \text{ N} = 444.8 \text{ kN} \]
Result: 100,000 lbf = 444.8 kilonewtons
Applications of Force Conversion
- Mechanical Engineering: Converting force specifications for motors, actuators, and mechanical systems
- Structural Engineering: Analyzing building loads, beam forces, and structural capacity
- Aerospace Engineering: Calculating thrust, lift, drag forces on aircraft and spacecraft
- Automotive Engineering: Brake forces, suspension loads, crash testing specifications
- Physics Education: Teaching Newton's laws and force calculations in various unit systems
- Material Testing: Converting tensile strength, compression forces in quality control
- Robotics: Specifying gripper forces, actuator requirements, load capacities
- Civil Engineering: Bridge loads, foundation forces, seismic force calculations
Force Conversion Tips
- Mass vs Weight: Mass (kg) is constant; weight is force (N) that varies with gravity
- Standard Gravity: Conversions use standard g = 9.80665 m/s², actual gravity varies by location
- Force vs Pressure: Force is measured in newtons; pressure is force per area (N/m² or Pa)
- Vector Quantity: Force has direction—conversion changes magnitude but preserves direction
- kgf vs kg: Kilogram-force (kgf) is force; kilogram (kg) is mass—different physical quantities
- Precision Matters: Use exact conversion factors for engineering calculations
- Check Context: Verify whether specifications refer to force or mass
Common Force Questions
What is the difference between mass and force?
Mass is the amount of matter in an object measured in kilograms, constant regardless of location. Force is the push or pull on an object measured in newtons, calculated as mass times acceleration. On Earth, a 10 kg mass experiences 98.1 N of gravitational force (weight).
How do you convert newtons to kilogram-force?
Divide newtons by 9.80665 (standard gravitational acceleration in m/s²). For example, 100 N ÷ 9.80665 = 10.197 kgf. This converts the SI force unit to the gravitational force unit commonly used in engineering specifications.
What is standard gravity?
Standard gravity (g₀) is defined as exactly 9.80665 m/s². This value represents average Earth surface gravity and is used for force conversions involving gravitational units like kilogram-force and pound-force. Actual gravity varies from 9.78 to 9.83 m/s² depending on location.
Why Choose RevisionTown for Conversion Tools?
RevisionTown specializes in creating accurate, user-friendly calculators and educational resources for students, professionals, and anyone working with scientific and engineering calculations. Our force converter is designed by expert educators who understand both the physics and practical applications across multiple disciplines.
Whether you're a student learning about forces in IB, AP, GCSE, IGCSE curricula, an engineer specifying mechanical systems, a structural analyst calculating loads, or anyone needing accurate force conversions, our calculator provides instant results with clear explanations.
Our commitment to educational excellence extends beyond simple conversion—we provide context, formulas, comprehensive tables, and practical understanding. The force converter exemplifies our approach: support for all major force units including SI, gravitational, and imperial measurements, clear mathematical formulas based on Newton's laws, extensive reference tables covering mechanical, structural, and aerospace applications, and tools that serve genuine needs in physics education, engineering, and professional work.
Disclaimer: This force converter is provided for educational and general purposes. While we strive for maximum accuracy using internationally standardized conversion factors, results should be verified for critical applications such as structural engineering, safety systems, or aerospace design. Conversion factors use standard gravity (9.80665 m/s²); actual gravitational acceleration varies by location. For professional engineering, safety-critical, or regulatory applications, consult authoritative references and verify all conversions. Values used: 1 kgf = 9.80665 N exactly, 1 lbf = 4.4482216152605 N exactly.
