What is the base SI unit for force?

The primary reference unit for force in this converter is the Newton (N). All 15 supported force units are anchored to this standard.

Are these force conversion factors verified?

Yes, all force conversion constants on UnitConvertersGo are verified against NIST Special Publication 811 and ISO/IEC 80000 international metrology standards.

Force Converter

Enter a value below to convert between metric, imperial, and standard force units.

Convert Force

Enter a value and select the units to convert between newtons, pounds-force, and kilograms-force.

Instant conversion

Value

From

Result

2.24809 lbf

10 N = 2.24809 lbf

10 N = 2.24809 lbf = 1.01972 kgfGet Widget

You can change the units using the dropdowns above or click on a unit button.

Suggested Conversions

Common Force Reference Points

Here are some common force values in Newton (N), Pound-force (lbf), and Kilogram-force (Kilopond) (kgf). Click any preset value or arrow to load it into the converter.

Description	Newton (N)	Pound-force (lbf)	Kilogram-force (Kilopond) (kgf)
Weight of a small apple (~1 N)	1	0.22481	0.10197
1 Pound-force (4.4482 N)	4.44822	1	0.45359
1 Kilogram-force (9.80665 N)	9.80665	2.20462	1
100 Newtons benchmark	100	22.48089	10.19716
1 Kilonewton structural load (1,000 N)	1,000	224.80894	101.97162

Force Conversion Formulas

Use the following formulas to convert between newtons, pounds-force, and kilograms-force.

Newtons to lbf

lbf = N ÷ 4.44822

lbf to Newtons

N = lbf × 4.44822

kgf to Newtons

N = kgf × 9.80665

Example: Convert 100 Newtons to Pounds-force (lbf)

lbf = 100 ÷ 4.4482216

lbf = 22.480894 lbf

1 Newton is the force required to accelerate 1 kg of mass at 1 m/s².

Frequently Asked Questions

1 newton (N) equals 0.22481 pounds-force (lbf). Multiply your newton value by 0.22481 or enter it in the Force Converter above for instant calculation.

Force Converter

Quick Info

Newton (N) & Kilonewton (kN) are the coherent SI units of mechanical and structural force (1 N = 1 kg·m/s²).
Pound-force (lbf) is the gravitational force exerted on 1 avoirdupois pound under standard gravity (4.44822 N).
Kilogram-force (kgf / kp) equals the weight of 1 kg under standard gravity g₀ = 9.80665 m/s² (9.80665 N).
Kip-force (kipf): Used in civil and structural engineering, equal to 1,000 pounds-force (4.44822 kN).

Force Units Comparison

Newton (N)

Coherent SI unit of force defined as 1 kg·m/s².

Pound-force (lbf)

US & Imperial engineering force unit equal to 4.4482216 Newtons.

Kilogram-force (kgf)

Gravitational metric unit equal to exactly 9.80665 Newtons.

References

[1]NIST SP 811 · NIST SP 811 App. B.9 (Force)
Source
[2]NIST CUU · Derived SI Unit: Newton (N)
Source
[3]BIPM · SI Brochure (9th Ed.) — Force
Source

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All Force Conversion Calculators (8)

Select any dedicated force pair below for worked examples and printable tables

Newtons to Pounds-force (N to lbf)Pounds-force to Newtons (lbf to N)Kilonewtons to Newtons (kN to N)Dynes to Newtons (dyn to N)Kilogram-force to Newtons (kgf to N)Newtons to Kilogram-force (N to kgf)Kilonewtons to Pounds-force (kN to lbf)Gram-force to Newtons (gf to N)

Category Conversion Matrix

Simultaneous comparison of 15 units in this category

Newton (N)

Kilonewton (kN)

0.001

Meganewton (MN)

0.000001

Millinewton (mN)

1,000

Micronewton (µN)

1,000,000

Nanonewton (nN)

1,000,000,000

Piconewton (pN)

1.000000e+12

Pound-force (lbf)

0.22481

Ounce-force (ozf)

3.59694

Kip-force (1,000 lbf) (kipf)

0.0002248

Kilogram-force (Kilopond) (kgf)

0.10197

Gram-force (Pond) (gf)

101.97162

Ton-force (Metric) (tf)

0.00010197

Dyne (dyn)

100,000

Poundal (pdl)

7.23301

Force Unit Definitions & Symbols

Newton (N)

Coherent SI unit of force (1 kg·m/s² = 1 J/m).

Kilonewton (kN)

METRIC

Equal to 1,000 Newtons.

Meganewton (MN)

Equal to 1,000,000 Newtons.

Millinewton (mN)

METRIC

One-thousandth of a Newton.

Micronewton (µN)

METRIC

One-millionth of a Newton.

Nanonewton (nN)

METRIC

One-billionth of a Newton.

Piconewton (pN)

METRIC

One-trillionth of a Newton.

Pound-force (lbf)

IMPERIAL

Gravitational force on 1 pound mass (4.44822 N).

Ounce-force (ozf)

IMPERIAL

1/16 of a pound-force (0.278014 N).

Kip-force (1,000 lbf) (kipf)

US CUSTOMARY

Structural load unit equal to 1,000 pounds-force (4.44822 kN).

Kilogram-force (Kilopond) (kgf)

METRIC

Force of standard gravity on 1 kilogram (9.80665 N).

Gram-force (Pond) (gf)

METRIC

Force of standard gravity on 1 gram (0.00980665 N).

Ton-force (Metric) (tf)

METRIC

Force of standard gravity on 1 metric ton (9.80665 kN).

Dyne (dyn)

METRIC

CGS force unit equal to 10⁻⁵ Newtons.

Poundal (pdl)

IMPERIAL

Force required to accelerate 1 lb mass at 1 ft/s² (0.138255 N).

References

NIST · BIPM · ISO

[1]
NIST SP 811 (NIST SP 811 App. B.9 (Force))·Force Metrology Standards — Newton (N), Kilonewton (kN) & Meganewton (MN)
NIST SP 811 Standard
[2]
NIST CUU (Derived SI Unit: Newton (N))·International Reference Specification for Force & Structural Load
NIST CUU Reference
[3]
BIPM (SI Brochure (9th Ed.) — Force)·Official Force Conversion Factors & Rounding Rules
BIPM Tables

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