Force Converter
Enter a force value and its unit to see the equivalent in newtons, kilonewtons, kilogram-force, and pound-force.
How force conversion works
The newton (N) is the SI unit of force, defined as the force needed to accelerate a 1 kg mass at 1 m/s². Kilogram-force (kgf) is a non-SI unit defined as the force exerted by standard gravity on a 1 kg mass: 1 kgf = 9.80665 N.
Pound-force (lbf), common in the US and UK engineering contexts, is similarly defined using standard gravity on a 1 lb mass, equal to about 4.448 N.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between kilogram-force and kilogram (mass)?
A kilogram is a unit of mass; kilogram-force is a unit of force — the weight that a 1 kg mass exerts under standard Earth gravity. They're related but measure different physical quantities.
How many newtons is one pound-force?
1 lbf is approximately 4.448 N.
Why does force depend on gravity for kgf and lbf but not for newtons?
The newton is defined purely from mass and acceleration (F = ma) without reference to gravity, while kgf and lbf are defined specifically as the weight of a given mass under Earth's standard gravitational acceleration (9.80665 m/s²).