Force Converter
Convert between newtons, pound-force, kilogram-force, dynes, and poundals.
How force conversion works
Every force unit here converts through the newton — the SI unit of force, defined as the force needed to accelerate a 1 kg mass at 1 meter per second squared. 'Force' units built from a mass name (pound-force, kilogram-force) are technically defined using standard gravity, which is why they don't convert to newtons with perfectly round numbers.
Common conversions
- 1 pound-force ≈ 4.448 newtons
- 1 kilogram-force ≈ 9.807 newtons (the weight of 1 kg under standard gravity)
- 1 newton = 100,000 dynes — the dyne is a much smaller, older CGS-system unit
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between pound-force and pound (mass)?
A pound (lb) measures mass, while pound-force (lbf) measures the force that gravity exerts on that mass at Earth's surface — they're related but not interchangeable, similar to how a kilogram measures mass while a kilogram-force measures the weight that mass produces.
Where is the poundal used?
It's a less common force unit from an older "absolute" imperial system that avoided referencing gravity — rarely seen in modern practice, but occasionally appears in older engineering textbooks and specifications.