How this calculator works
Every unit is converted through the newton, the SI unit of force. The pound-force uses the international pound and standard gravity: one pound-force is 0.45359237 kg times 9.80665 m/s2, which is 4.4482216152605 N exactly. The kilogram-force and tonne-force use the same standard gravity, while one dyne is exactly 10 micronewtons. A poundal is the force that accelerates one pound-mass at one foot per second squared.
Formula
newtons = value x F(unit), where F is the factor in the table: 1 lbf = 4.4482216152605 N, 1 kgf = 9.80665 N, 1 gf = 0.00980665 N, 1 tf = 9,806.65 N, 1 dyn = 0.00001 N, 1 pdl = 0.138254954376 N, 1 kip = 1,000 lbf. Each displayed unit divides the newton value by its own factor.
Worked example
10 lbf converts to 44.4822 N, 4.53592 kgf and 444,822 dyn. One kilogram-force is 9.80665 N, and one tonne-force is 9,806.65 N. A poundal is much smaller: 1 pdl = 0.138255 N.
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Frequently asked questions
Is a pound-force the same as a pound?
No. The pound (lb) is a mass. The pound-force (lbf) is the weight of one pound under standard gravity. On Earth they are numerically close, but they are different quantities.
Why does one kilogram-force equal 9.80665 N?
One kilogram-force is the weight of one kilogram under standard gravity of 9.80665 m/s2. Multiplying one kilogram by that acceleration gives 9.80665 N exactly by definition.
What is a dyne?
The dyne is the centimetre-gram-second unit of force: the force that accelerates one gram at one centimetre per second squared. It equals exactly 10 micronewtons.