About the Force Converter
Force Converter changes a force between newtons, kilonewtons, pounds-force, kilograms-force, ounces-force, dynes and tonnes-force. Type a value, pick its unit and see every other unit. It is made for physics and engineering homework, load ratings, tow and lifting equipment, springs, fixings and test equipment, where one data sheet may use newtons and another kilograms-force or pounds-force. Standard gravity of 9.80665 m/s² is used for the gravitational units.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Force Converter
- 1Type the a force you want to convert.
- 2Choose the unit it is in from the From unit list.
- 3Read the result in every other unit straight away.
- 4Press Copy to keep the answer, or change the number to try another.
When you need a a force converter
Force Converter changes a force between newtons, kilonewtons, pounds-force, kilograms-force, ounces-force, dynes and tonnes-force. Mass and force are different things, but many labels mix them. A rope rated for 500 kg means it can hold the pull of gravity on 500 kg, which is about 4.9 kN. Converting between kilograms-force and newtons makes such ratings comparable.
Units and what they mean
The factor 9.80665 is standard gravity. Actual gravity changes a little with place, but it is the agreed value for these units. On other planets the force of gravity on a kilogram differs, as you can see with the Weight on Other Planets tool.
- Newton: the SI unit, the force that gives 1 kg an acceleration of 1 m/s²
- Kilonewton: 1,000 N, used for loads on beams and ropes
- Pound-force and ounce-force: imperial units based on gravity on a pound or ounce
- Kilogram-force and tonne-force: older metric units of weight on a kilogram or tonne, still used on labels
Tips for accurate results
To work out a force from a mass and acceleration use the Force Calculator, and for torque the Torque Converter. For safety critical loads always use the manufacturer's working load limit and a margin, not a converted figure alone.
Round only at the end of a calculation. If you convert and then convert again, keep the full number in between so small errors do not add up.
Related conversions
Pressure is force per area and has its own units, so do not use this page for psi or bar, and remember that a kilonewton rating should always be compared with the real load including shock and movement. Related tools: Force Calculator, Torque Converter, Pressure Converter, Weight Converter and Weight on Other Planets.
Features
- 7 units in one list
- Every result shown at once
- Exact factors, no rounding until you read it
- Works with decimals and negative-free values
- Copy button for the answer
- Calculated in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert a force?
Type the number, pick the unit you start with and read the answer in every other unit below. Each unit is stored as an exact factor of one base unit, so a result is the number times its factor divided by the target unit's factor.
How many newtons are in a kilogram-force?
Exactly 9.80665 newtons.
How many newtons is 1 lbf?
About 4.448 newtons (4.4482216152605).
What is a kN in kg?
One kilonewton is about 101.97 kilograms-force.
Is kgf an official unit?
No. The kilogram-force is an older, non-SI unit, but it is still printed on many ropes, scales and tool labels, so it is worth converting.
Is the result exact?
The factors used are the official or standard definitions, so the maths is exact. The page rounds what it shows to about 10 significant digits so numbers stay readable.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes. The page is built for small screens, with large inputs and a list of units you can scroll.
Is anything sent to a server?
No. The conversion is plain arithmetic in your browser, so nothing you type leaves your device.