A force converter moves a value between the SI newton, the imperial pound-force, the metric kilogram-force, and the tiny CGS dyne. It converts your value into a base unit — newtons — and back out. The key idea is that force is not mass: a newton is a push or pull (it accelerates 1 kg at 1 m/s²), while kgf and lbf are the weights of a kilogram and a pound under gravity. For converting kilograms and pounds of mass, use the Weight Converter instead.
Reviewed: June 20, 2026 · Author: Naveen P N, Founder — AI Calculator · Verified against: SI force definitions and standard gravity, recomputed in code.
How the conversion works
Each unit equals a fixed number of newtons: a pound-force is 4.44822 N, a kilogram-force 9.80665 N (standard gravity), a dyne one hundred-thousandth of a newton. Multiply your value by the "from" unit's newtons-per-unit to reach newtons, then divide by the "to" unit's. Because kgf uses standard gravity, a 1 kg mass weighs exactly 1 kgf — which is why kgf is so intuitive for everyday loads.
Worked example — 1 pound-force in other units
Scenario: convert 1 pound-force to other force units.
One pound-force is 4.44822 newtons or 0.453592 kgf — note that 0.453592 is exactly the kg-per-pound mass factor, because a pound of mass weighs a pound-force. The reverse cases follow: 1 N is 0.224809 lbf (about the weight of a small apple), 1 kgf is 2.20462 lbf, and 1 kN is 224.809 lbf. The converter shows every unit at once for loads, tensions and thrust.
Frequently Asked Questions
× 0.224809 (÷ 4.44822). 100 N ≈ 22.48 lbf.
Weight of 1 kg under gravity: 1 kgf = 9.80665 N = 2.20462 lbf.
4.44822 N. 1 N ≈ 0.2248 lbf (about a small apple's weight).
CGS unit: 1 N = 100,000 dyn (10⁵).
Force (N, lbf) ≠ mass (kg, lb). kgf/lbf are weights under gravity. Mass → Weight Converter.