Unit Converter

Force Converter

Enter a value in any force unit and instantly see the equivalent in newtons, dynes, kilogram-force, pound-force and more.

Newtons Pound-force Kilogram-force Dynes
Conversion Results
Unit Value
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About the Force Converter

Force units split across SI (newtons), CGS (dynes), and technical/imperial systems (kilogram-force, pound-force, poundals) that predate the newton and still show up in older specifications and some regional engineering practice. This tool lets you enter a value once and see it converted to every common force unit at the same time.

How to Use This Tool

  1. Enter the force value you want to convert.
  2. Select the unit that value is currently in.
  3. The table updates automatically, showing the equivalent value in every other unit.

Conversion Formula

Every force unit converts through the newton (N), the SI unit of force, defined as the force needed to accelerate 1 kg at 1 m/s². To convert from unit A to unit B:

value_B = value_A × factor_A→N ÷ factor_B→N

All force units here are linear multiples of the newton, so every conversion is straightforward multiplication or division.

Force Unit Conversion Factors (to Newtons)

Unit Symbol Value in Newtons
NewtonN1
KilonewtonkN1,000
MeganewtonMN1,000,000
Dynedyn0.00001
Kilogram-forcekgf9.80665
Pound-forcelbf4.4482216152605
Poundalpdl0.13825495438

Note: kgf, lbf and pdl are all exact by definition — each uses the standard gravity constant (9.80665 m/s²) applied to the exact kilogram/pound mass definitions (poundal instead uses the pound mass accelerated at 1 ft/s², independent of gravity).

Worked Examples

Example 1 — Newtons to Pound-force

A 500 N thrust: 500 ÷ 4.4482216152605 N/lbf ≈ 112.4 lbf.

Example 2 — Kilogram-force to Newtons

A 10 kgf load rating: 10 × 9.80665 ≈ 98.07 N — this is why "kgf" is really a weight measurement under standard gravity, not a pure mass unit.

Example 3 — Newtons to Dynes

A small 0.5 N force: 0.5 ÷ 0.00001 N/dyn = 50,000 dyn — dynes are tiny compared to newtons, useful at lab/microscopic scale.

Example 4 — Pound-force to Poundals

A 20 lbf force: 20 × 4.4482216152605 N ÷ 0.13825495438 N/pdl ≈ 643.3 pdl.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many newtons are in a pound-force?
1 lbf = 4.4482216152605 N exactly. This is the force exerted by standard gravity (9.80665 m/s²) on a mass of exactly 1 avoirdupois pound.
What's the difference between kgf and kg?
kg (kilogram) is a unit of mass. kgf (kilogram-force) is a unit of force — specifically, the weight of a 1 kg mass under standard gravity, equal to 9.80665 N. Mixing the two up is a very common source of unit errors.
What is a dyne used for?
The dyne is the CGS (centimetre-gram-second) unit of force, equal to 0.00001 N. It shows up mostly in older physics literature and in some surface-tension measurements (dynes per centimeter).
What is a poundal?
A poundal is the force needed to accelerate a 1-pound mass at 1 ft/s² — the imperial system's attempt at a "pure" force unit independent of gravity, analogous to how the newton relates to the kilogram. It's rarely used today outside of some older British engineering texts.
Can force values be negative?
Yes — force is a vector quantity, so a negative value simply indicates the opposite direction (for example, tension vs. compression, or a force acting against a chosen positive axis). This converter allows negative values for that reason.
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