Force Converter
Enter a value and select units to convert
Enter a value and select units to convert
The force converter allows you to convert between different units of force, from SI units like newtons to imperial units like pound-force. This tool is useful for physics, engineering, mechanics, and many fields where force measurements are needed. Force is a vector quantity that can change the state of motion of an object when applied.
Common Force Measurement Systems
Metric System (SI)
The International System of Units (SI) uses the newton (N) as the standard unit of force.
- Newton (N): The force required to accelerate a mass of one kilogram at a rate of one meter per second squared
- SI prefixes can be used to create multiples and submultiples: mN, kN, MN, etc.
- 1 N = 1 kg·m/s²
CGS System
The Centimeter-Gram-Second system uses the dyne as its force unit.
- Dyne (dyn): The force required to accelerate a mass of one gram at a rate of one centimeter per second squared
- 1 dyne = 10⁻⁵ N
Imperial/US Customary System
Used primarily in the United States and a few other countries.
- Pound-force (lbf): The force exerted by Earth's gravity on a pound-mass
- Ounce-force (ozf): 1/16 of a pound-force
- Poundal (pdl): The force required to accelerate one pound-mass at a rate of one foot per second squared
- Kip: 1,000 pound-force
- Ton-force: Various definitions based on different tons (short, long)
Gravitational Units
Based on the force exerted by gravity on a mass.
- Kilogram-force (kgf): The force exerted by Earth's gravity on one kilogram mass
- Gram-force (gf): The force exerted by Earth's gravity on one gram mass
- Tonne-force (tf): The force exerted by Earth's gravity on one metric tonne
Other Units
Various specialized or historical units of force.
- Sthène (sn): An MKS unit equal to 1,000 newtons
- Pond (p): Equivalent to gram-force
- Kilopond (kp): Equivalent to kilogram-force
Common Force Conversions
| From | To | Multiply By |
|---|---|---|
| Newton | Dyne | 100,000 |
| Newton | Pound-force | 0.224809 |
| Newton | Kilogram-force | 0.101972 |
| Pound-force | Newton | 4.44822 |
| Pound-force | Kilogram-force | 0.453592 |
| Kilogram-force | Newton | 9.80665 |
| Kilogram-force | Pound-force | 2.20462 |
| Ounce-force | Newton | 0.278014 |
| Dyne | Gram-force | 0.00102 |
| Poundal | Newton | 0.138255 |