Quick example
Convert 1 pound-force to newtons
The international pound-force is defined using the international avoirdupois pound and standard gravity. That makes one pound-force exactly 4.4482216152605 newtons.
Quick reference
Common force conversions
| Starting force | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 kN | 1,000 N |
| 1 N | 0.2248089431 lbf |
| 1 lbf | 4.4482216152605 N |
| 1 kgf | 9.80665 N |
| 1 kgf | 2.204622622 lbf |
| 1 N | 100,000 dyn |
| 1 pdl | 0.138254954376 N |
| 1 N | 7.233013851 pdl |
Unit definitions
SI, customary, gravitational, and CGS force
Newtons and kilonewtons
The newton is the SI force unit: 1 N = 1 kg⋅m/s². A kilonewton is exactly 1,000 newtons.
Pound-force
The pound-force is the force on one international pound mass under standard gravity and equals exactly 4.4482216152605 N.
Kilogram-force
The kilogram-force is the force on one kilogram under standard gravity of 9.80665 m/s², making 1 kgf exactly 9.80665 N.
Dynes and poundals
The dyne is the CGS force unit and equals 10⁻⁵ N. The poundal is the force that accelerates one pound mass by one foot per second squared.
Force versus mass
Kilogram-force is not a kilogram
Mass measures how much matter an object contains; force measures an interaction that can accelerate it. Converting kilograms of mass to a force requires an acceleration, usually a stated gravitational field. This tool converts force units only. Signed values are accepted because a negative component can indicate force opposite the chosen positive direction.
Common questions
Force conversion FAQ
How many newtons are in one pound-force?
One pound-force equals exactly 4.4482216152605 newtons.
How many pounds-force are in one newton?
One newton equals approximately 0.2248089431 pound-force.
Is kilogram-force the same as kilogram?
No. A kilogram is a unit of mass. A kilogram-force is a force equal to exactly 9.80665 newtons.
What is a newton?
A newton is the SI force unit. One newton accelerates one kilogram of mass by one meter per second squared.
Can force be negative?
A negative force component points opposite the chosen positive axis. The sign describes direction, not a different force unit.