What is the Force Conversion Calculator?
This tool converts a force value from one unit to another. Force is measured in many systems: the SI unit is the newton (N), while engineering and everyday use also rely on pound-force (lbf), kilogram-force (kgf), the CGS dyne, ounce-force (ozf), and the poundal (pdl). This calculator handles all of them with a single, consistent base-unit method.
How to use it
Enter the numeric value you want to convert, pick the unit you are converting from, then pick the unit you want the answer in. The result, along with the equivalent value in newtons, is shown instantly.
The formula explained
Every conversion uses the newton as a common base. First the input is converted to newtons by multiplying by the source unit's factor (how many newtons equal one of that unit). Then it is divided by the target unit's factor:
$$\text{value}_{N} = \text{value}_{source} \times f_{source}$$$$\text{value}_{target} = \dfrac{\text{value}_{N}}{f_{target}}$$Key factors used: \(1\ \text{kN} = 1000\ \text{N}\), \(1\ \text{dyn} = 0.00001\ \text{N}\), \(1\ \text{lbf} = 4.4482216152605\ \text{N}\), \(1\ \text{kgf} = 9.80665\ \text{N}\), \(1\ \text{ozf} = 0.27801385095378\ \text{N}\), \(1\ \text{pdl} = 0.138254954376\ \text{N}\).
Worked example
Convert 100 N to pound-force. Since the input is already in newtons, \(\text{value}_{N} = 100\). Dividing by the lbf factor:
$$100 \div 4.4482216152605 \approx 22.4809\ \text{lbf}$$
FAQ
Is kgf the same as a kilogram? No. A kilogram is mass; kilogram-force is the weight of 1 kg under standard gravity (\(9.80665\ \text{m/s}^2\)), equal to about 9.81 N.
What is a poundal? A poundal is the force that accelerates 1 pound of mass at \(1\ \text{ft/s}^2\), roughly 0.1383 N — part of the older foot-pound-second system.
How precise are the results? Conversions use exact internationally accepted factors, so results are accurate to many significant figures.
