Converter category
Force Converter
Convert between newtons, kilonewtons, dynes, kilogram-force, gram-force, pound-force, ounce-force, kip-force, and many other force units.
Universal Force Converter
About force conversions
Force conversions are essential in physics, engineering, construction, automotive design, and material testing. Our force converter covers SI units such as newtons, kilonewtons, and meganewtons, plus metric units like dyne, gram-force, kilogram-force, and pond. It also includes Imperial and US customary units such as pound-force, ounce-force, kip-force, ton-force, and poundal. Whether you are calculating load limits, studying mechanics, converting material specifications, or working with structural forces, this converter provides accurate results based on standard gravity and defined conversion factors.
Most popular force conversions
Available units
Popular force conversions (930 total)
Unit definitions
Newton (N)
A newton is the force to accelerate 1 kg by 1 m/s². The SI unit of force.
Origin: Named after Isaac Newton, who described force in his laws of motion.
Current use: Physics, Engineering, Structural analysis
Kilonewton (kN)
A kilonewton is 1000 newtons. Used for structural engineering and rock mechanics.
Origin: Metric prefix kilo- denotes 1000.
Current use: Structural engineering, Concrete design, Rock mechanics
Dyne (dyn)
A dyne is the force to accelerate 1 gram by 1 cm/s². CGS unit of force.
Origin: Part of the centimeter-gram-second system, used in physics.
Current use: Physics, CGS system, Small force measurements
Kilogram-force (kgf)
Kilogram-force is the force of gravity on 1 kg mass. 1 kgf = 9.80665 N.
Origin: Also called kilopond. Used in European engineering.
Current use: Engineering (Europe), Spring rates, Torque wrenches
Gram-force (gf)
Gram-force is the force of gravity on 1 gram mass. 1 gf = 9.80665 mN.
Origin: CGS unit of force.
Current use: Physics, Spring rates, Small force measurements
Pound-force (lbf)
Pound-force is the force of gravity on 1 pound mass. 1 lbf = 4.448 N.
Origin: Imperial unit of force, standardized in the 1960s.
Current use: Mechanical engineering (US), Torque, Weight/force conversion
Ounce-force (ozf)
Ounce-force is the force of gravity on 1 ounce mass. 1 ozf = 0.278 N.
Origin: Imperial unit derived from ounce weight.
Current use: Small torque measurements, Springs, US engineering
Exanewton (EN)
1 quintillion newtons. Planetary scale.
Origin: Metric prefix exa- = 10^18.
Current use: Planetary mechanics, Astrophysics, Theoretical physics
Petanewton (PN)
Quadrillion newtons. Very large forces.
Origin: Metric prefix peta- = 10^15.
Current use: Spacecraft thrust, Planetary science, Geophysics
Teranewton (TN)
Trillion newtons. Massive forces.
Origin: Metric prefix tera- = 10^12.
Current use: Large rockets, Asteroid deflection, Tectonics
Giganewton (GN)
Billion newtons. Very large forces.
Origin: Metric prefix giga- = 10^9.
Current use: Heavy launch, Structural engineering, Large machinery
Meganewton (MN)
Million newtons. Heavy machinery.
Origin: Metric prefix mega- = 10^6.
Current use: Cranes, Presses, Ship propulsion
Hectonewton (hN)
100 newtons. Moderate force.
Origin: Metric prefix hecto- = 100.
Current use: Industrial, Testing, Machinery
Decanewton (daN)
10 newtons. Moderate force.
Origin: Metric prefix deca- = 10.
Current use: Textiles, Automotive, Testing
Decinewton (dN)
0.1 newton. Small force.
Origin: Metric prefix deci- = 0.1.
Current use: Laboratory, Precision testing, Small mechanisms
Centinewton (cN)
0.01 newton. Very small force.
Origin: Metric prefix centi- = 0.01.
Current use: Textile testing, Tension measurement, Labs
Millinewton (mN)
0.001 newton. Tiny force.
Origin: Metric prefix milli- = 0.001.
Current use: Microelectronics, MEMS, Research
Micronewton (µN)
One millionth of a newton.
Origin: Metric prefix micro- = 10^-6.
Current use: Nanotechnology, Atomic physics, MEMS
Nanonewton (nN)
One billionth of a newton.
Origin: Metric prefix nano- = 10^-9.
Current use: Atomic force microscopy, Quantum, Research
Piconewton (pN)
One trillionth of a newton.
Origin: Metric prefix pico- = 10^-12.
Current use: Single molecules, Biophysics, Cellular forces
Femtonewton (fN)
One quadrillionth of a newton.
Origin: Metric prefix femto- = 10^-15.
Current use: Molecular biology, Advanced research
Attonewton (aN)
One quintillionth of a newton.
Origin: Metric prefix atto- = 10^-18.
Current use: Quantum mechanics, Fundamental physics
Joule per Meter (J/m)
Force unit equal to 1 newton.
Origin: Alternative force expression.
Current use: Physics, Engineering, Education
Joule per Centimeter (J/cm)
0.01 newton. Small force.
Origin: CGS equivalent.
Current use: Small mechanisms, Labs, Micro
Short Ton-force (tonf)
2000 lbf. US ton-force.
Origin: US standard.
Current use: US heavy industry, Construction, Marine
Long Ton-force (tonf UK)
2240 lbf. UK ton-force.
Origin: British standard.
Current use: UK shipping, British construction, Imperial
Kip-force (kipf)
1000 lbf. US structural engineering.
Origin: US civil engineering standard.
Current use: US bridges, Buildings, Structural
Poundal (pdl)
FPS force unit. 1 pdl = 0.138 N.
Origin: Part of foot-pound-second system.
Current use: US physics, Education, Older texts
Poundal per Foot Second² (pdl/(ft·s²))
FPS mass unit expression.
Origin: FPS derived unit.
Current use: US physics, Dynamics
Pond (p)
Gram-force. 1 pond = 9.8 mN.
Origin: CGS force unit.
Current use: Old engineering, German physics
Kilopond (kp)
Kilogram-force. 1 kp = 9.8 N.
Origin: European engineering.
Current use: German engineering, Old machinery, Spring rates
Common uses for force conversions
Force conversions are used in structural engineering, automotive specifications, physics education, material testing, load calculations, and mechanical design.
Frequently asked questions about force
How many pounds-force are in 1 newton?+
1 newton equals approximately 0.224809 pounds-force.
What is the difference between a newton and a kilogram-force?+
A newton is the SI unit of force. A kilogram-force is the force exerted by gravity on a 1-kilogram mass, equal to about 9.80665 newtons.
Which force units does this converter support?+
It supports SI, metric, CGS, Imperial, and US customary force units — over 30 in total.