Force Unit Conversion
Quick answer: 1 kN = 1,000 N ≈ 101.97 kgf, 1 kgf (kp) = 9.80665 N, 1 daN = 10 N ≈ 1.02 kgf, 1 lbf = 4.448 N and 1 kip = 1,000 lbf ≈ 4.448 kN.
Newtons, decanewtons, kilonewtons, kiloponds (kgf), ton-force, pound-force and kips – enter a value and see every conversion at once.
How the calculation works
Enter a force and choose the starting unit (for example kN, kgf or lbf). The table shows the same force in newtons, decanewtons, kilonewtons and meganewtons, in kilograms-force and metric tons-force, and in pounds-force and kips. With “Show all” you also see the dyne, gram-force, sthène, poundal, ounce-force and the short and long tons-force.
Formula and assumptions
The base unit is the newton (1 N = 1 kg·m/s²). Gravitational units are defined by standard gravity g₀ = 9.80665 m/s²: 1 kgf = 1 kp = 9.80665 N, 1 tf = 1 Mp = 9,806.65 N, 1 lbf = 0.45359237 kg × g₀ = 4.4482216152605 N. Others: 1 dyn = 0.00001 N, 1 pdl = 0.138254954376 N, 1 kip = 1,000 lbf.
More worked examples
- Anchor capacity of 12 kN in kgf: 12 × 101.972 ≈ 1,223.7 kgf.
- A force of 500 kgf in kN: 500 × 9.80665 = 4,903.3 N ≈ 4.90 kN.
- A load of 25 daN in N: 25 × 10 = 250 N.
- A force of 10 kip in kN: 10 × 4.4482 ≈ 44.48 kN.
Units of force
| Unit | in N | Other |
|---|---|---|
| 1 N | 1 | ≈ 0.102 kgf |
| 1 daN | 10 | ≈ 1.02 kgf |
| 1 kN | 1,000 | ≈ 101.97 kgf |
| 1 kgf (kp) | 9.80665 | 1,000 gf |
| 1 tf (Mp) | 9,806.65 | 1,000 kgf |
| 1 lbf | 4.44822 | 16 ozf |
| 1 kip | 4,448.22 | 1,000 lbf |
| 1 dyn | 0.00001 | 1 g·cm/s² |
Common mistakes
- Treating kilograms and kilograms-force as the same: kg is mass, kgf is force (1 kgf = 9.80665 N, not 10 N).
- Rounding g₀ to 10: 1 kN then comes out as 100 kgf instead of 101.97 kgf (about 2 % off).
- Confusing a kip (1,000 lbf ≈ 4.45 kN) with a metric ton-force (≈ 9.81 kN).
- Confusing pound-force (lbf, a force) with pound (lb, a mass).
Frequently asked questions
How many kgf are in 1 kN?
1 kN = 1,000 N ÷ 9.80665 ≈ 101.97 kgf. It is often rounded to 100 kgf in practice, which is about 2 % below the exact value.
Is a kilopond the same as a kilogram-force?
Yes. The kilopond (kp) and the kilogram-force (kgf) are the same unit: the force a 1 kg mass exerts under standard gravity, 9.80665 N. The same goes for the pond and gram-force and for the megapond and metric ton-force.
How many newtons are in a decanewton?
1 daN = 10 N, roughly 1.02 kgf. Decanewtons are used for rope tension, prestressing forces and fastener load ratings.
What is a kip?
A kip (kilopound-force) is 1,000 pounds-force, about 4.448 kN. It is used in US structural calculations and codes.
Does the converter turn kilograms into newtons?
Not directly, because mass and force are different quantities. The weight of a mass m is m × 9.80665 N, so 1 kg on Earth weighs about 9.81 N, or 1 kgf.
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