Force Converter — lbf to Newton, kN to ton, kgf to N

Force measures straight-line push or pull. Structural engineering uses kilonewtons, US specs quote pound-force (lbf), Asian datasheets sometimes use kilogram-force (kgf), and physics problems use newtons. This converter translates between those units from one input.

Enter a value, pick From and To units, and read the result instantly. All conversion uses standard NIST factors in your browser — nothing is uploaded. For rotational tightening (N·m, ft·lb), use the Torque Converter instead.

US engineering and aviation specs often quote pound-force (lbf). SI uses newtons. The exact conversion:

N = lbf × 4.44822  ·  lbf = N × 0.224809

Examples: 1 lbf = 4.448 N · 10 lbf ≈ 44.5 N · 100 lbf ≈ 444.8 N · 1,000 lbf ≈ 4,448 N (about 4.45 kN). Tire load ratings, cable tension, and hoist limits in US documents often appear in lbf — convert here to compare with metric beam calculations in kN.

Multiply newtons by 0.224809 to get lbf. Anchors: 1 N ≈ 0.225 lbf · 10 N ≈ 2.25 lbf · 100 N ≈ 22.5 lbf · 1 kN (1,000 N) ≈ 224.8 lbf. Lab spring scales calibrated in N can be compared to US equipment rated in lbf using this factor.

Kilogram-force (kgf) — also written kilopond (kp) — is the force exerted by one kilogram mass under standard gravity: 1 kgf = 9.80665 N. One hundred kgf is about 981 N.

Kilonewtons (kN) appear on structural drawings and crane charts. One kN is about 224.8 lbf. In metric engineering, one metric ton-force (tf) is about 9.807 kN or 1,000 kgf. So 10 kN is roughly 1.02 tf and 1 tf is about 9.81 kN. Select "Metric ton-force" in the dropdown for these conversions.

1 kN = 1,000 N · 1 tf ≈ 9.807 kN · 1 kgf = 9.807 N

Searches that mix force with mass often confuse the two. On Earth's surface, an object weighing 1 lbf has mass about 0.454 kg — but that depends on gravity; force and mass are not the same quantity.

One lbf as force equals 4.448 N. For physics problems, convert lbf to N here; use mass in kilograms separately in F = ma.

lbm is pound mass; lbf is pound force. On Earth, 1 lbm weighs about 1 lbf — but only approximately. Engineering calculations should keep units explicit.

The dyne is a CGS unit: 1 dyne = 10⁻⁵ N. Surface tension, micro-scale contact, and older physics texts use dynes. 1 N = 100,000 dyn. At the other end of the scale, meganewtons (MN) and kN describe bridge loads, press forces, and geotechnical bearing capacity. 1 MN = 1,000 kN = 1,000,000 N.

Force (this page): N, lbf, kgf, kN — straight push/pull. Torque (N·m, ft·lb): force applied at a distance on a wrench or shaft. Torque equals force times radius only when force is perpendicular to the lever arm.

N·m and ft·lb conversions belong on the Torque Converter, not here. Converting lbf to N·m without a lever length is dimensionally incomplete.

Pressure (Pa, psi, bar) is force per area — see the Pressure Converter. This force tool converts absolute force magnitudes only.