Force Converter
Convert newtons, kN, MN, lbf, kgf, dynes and more instantly.
Force Converter - Newtons, kN, lbf, kgf & More
Use the free Force Converter to convert between newtons (N), kilonewtons (kN), meganewtons (MN), pounds-force (lbf), kilogram-force (kgf), gram-force (gf), ounce-force (ozf), dynes and other commonly used force units.
This online force conversion calculator is useful for physics, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, structural design, construction, machinery, load calculations, tensile testing, compression testing, hydraulics and general engineering work.
What Is Force?
Force is an interaction that can change the motion of an object or cause an object to deform. Force can push, pull, accelerate, slow down, rotate or deform an object.
The SI unit of force is the newton (N). One newton is defined as the force required to accelerate a one-kilogram mass at one meter per second squared.
Where F is force in newtons, m is mass in kilograms and a is acceleration in meters per second squared.
Force Units Supported
| Force Unit | Symbol | Equivalent in Newtons |
|---|---|---|
| Newton | N | 1 N |
| Kilonewton | kN | 1,000 N |
| Meganewton | MN | 1,000,000 N |
| Millinewton | mN | 0.001 N |
| Micronewton | µN | 0.000001 N |
| Pound-force | lbf | 4.4482216152605 N |
| Kilogram-force | kgf | 9.80665 N |
| Gram-force | gf | 0.00980665 N |
| Ounce-force | ozf | 0.27801385095378125 N |
| Dyne | dyn | 0.00001 N |
| Kip-force | kip | 4,448.2216152605 N |
| Metric ton-force | tf | 9,806.65 N |
| Short ton-force | tonf | 8,896.443230521 N |
| Long ton-force | long tonf | 9,964.01641818352 N |
Newton to Kilonewton Conversion
Kilonewtons are commonly used for large forces in structural engineering, construction, lifting equipment and mechanical applications.
Example: 25,000 N = 25 kN.
Kilonewton to Newton Conversion
Example: 50 kN = 50,000 N.
Newton to Pound-force Conversion
Pound-force is widely used in the United States and some engineering applications.
Example: 100 N is approximately 22.4809 lbf.
Pound-force to Newton Conversion
Example: 10 lbf is approximately 44.4822 N.
Newton to Kilogram-force Conversion
Example: 98.0665 N = 10 kgf.
Kilogram-force to Newton Conversion
Example: 5 kgf = 49.03325 N.
Newton to Dyne Conversion
The dyne is a CGS unit of force. One newton is equal to 100,000 dynes.
Example: 2 N = 200,000 dyn.
Common Force Conversions
| Conversion | Formula |
|---|---|
| N to kN | N ÷ 1,000 |
| kN to N | kN × 1,000 |
| N to MN | N ÷ 1,000,000 |
| MN to N | MN × 1,000,000 |
| N to lbf | N ÷ 4.4482216152605 |
| lbf to N | lbf × 4.4482216152605 |
| N to kgf | N ÷ 9.80665 |
| kgf to N | kgf × 9.80665 |
| N to gf | N ÷ 0.00980665 |
| gf to N | gf × 0.00980665 |
| N to dyn | N × 100,000 |
| dyn to N | dyn × 0.00001 |
| N to ozf | N ÷ 0.27801385095378125 |
| ozf to N | ozf × 0.27801385095378125 |
Force Conversion Examples
| Value | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 kN | 1,000 N |
| 10 kN | 10,000 N |
| 1 MN | 1,000,000 N |
| 1 lbf | 4.4482216152605 N |
| 10 lbf | 44.482216152605 N |
| 1 kgf | 9.80665 N |
| 10 kgf | 98.0665 N |
| 1 metric ton-force | 9,806.65 N |
| 1 N | 100,000 dyn |
Force and Weight
Force and weight are related but should not be treated as identical quantities. Weight is the gravitational force acting on an object's mass.
Near Earth's surface, standard gravitational acceleration is approximately 9.80665 m/s². Therefore, a 1 kg mass has a standard weight of approximately 9.80665 N.
This is why kilogram-force (kgf) is defined as the force corresponding to one kilogram under standard gravity.
Force in Engineering
Force measurements are essential in engineering and industrial applications. Engineers use force units to specify loads, stresses, thrust, tension, compression and mechanical forces.
- Structural engineering: building loads, reactions and structural forces.
- Mechanical engineering: machine forces, bearings, shafts and mechanisms.
- Civil engineering: construction loads and structural calculations.
- Automotive engineering: braking force, engine thrust and suspension loads.
- Aerospace: engine thrust and aerodynamic forces.
- Hydraulics: actuator and cylinder forces.
- Material testing: tensile, compression and breaking-force measurements.
- Lifting equipment: crane loads, lifting capacity and rigging forces.
Force vs Mass
Mass and force are different physical quantities. Mass is measured in kilograms, grams, pounds-mass and other mass units. Force is measured in newtons, pounds-force, kilogram-force and other force units.
A common source of confusion is using "kg" when referring to a force. Technically, kg is a unit of mass, while kgf is a unit of force.
Force vs Pressure
Force and pressure are related but different. Force measures the total push or pull, while pressure measures force distributed over an area.
For example, the same force applied over a smaller area produces greater pressure.
For pressure conversions, see our Pressure Converter.
Force vs Torque
Force produces linear acceleration or deformation, while torque describes the rotational effect of a force around an axis. Torque depends on both force and the perpendicular distance from the axis.
Why Use Our Force Converter?
- Convert newtons, kilonewtons and meganewtons instantly.
- Convert newtons to pounds-force and pounds-force to newtons.
- Convert between newtons and kilogram-force.
- Supports gram-force, ounce-force and dyne.
- Includes kip-force and ton-force units.
- Useful for physics and engineering calculations.
- Works on desktop, tablet and mobile devices.
- No installation required.
- Free online force conversion.