- Enter Force — Type any numeric value.
- Select Units — Choose from 10 force units: N, kN, MN, dyn, kgf, gf, lbf, ozf, kip, pdl.
- See Results — Real-time conversion with all equivalents.
- Copy — Click 'Copy' to copy result.
Force Converter — Convert Between Force Units
The Force Converter is a free, instant-use tool for converting between 10 force units. Whether you're solving physics problems, designing structures, analyzing mechanical systems, or comparing specifications across unit systems, this tool provides accurate real-time conversions.
All calculations run entirely in your browser. No data is sent to any server.
Supported Units
- Newton (N) — The SI unit of force. Defined as the force needed to accelerate 1 kg at 1 m/s². Named after Sir Isaac Newton. The standard unit in science and international engineering.
- Kilonewton (kN) — 1,000 newtons. Used in structural engineering for building loads, vehicle forces, and aerospace applications.
- Meganewton (MN) — 1,000,000 newtons. Used for very large forces like rocket thrust, bridge loads, and geological forces.
- Dyne (dyn) — The CGS unit of force. 1 dyn = 10⁻⁵ N. Used in some scientific contexts, particularly in surface tension measurements.
- Kilogram-force (kgf) — The force exerted by 1 kg under standard gravity (9.80665 m/s²). 1 kgf = 9.80665 N. Intuitive but not an SI unit. Still used in some Asian and European engineering contexts.
- Gram-force (gf) — 1/1000 of kgf. Used for small forces in laboratory measurements.
- Pound-force (lbf) — The primary imperial force unit. 1 lbf = 4.44822 N. Used in US engineering, construction, and everyday applications.
- Ounce-force (ozf) — 1/16 of a pound-force. Used for small forces in US measurements.
- Kip — 1,000 pound-force. Used in US structural engineering for large loads. 1 kip = 4,448.22 N.
- Poundal (pdl) — The absolute imperial force unit. 1 pdl = 0.138255 N. Rarely used today but important historically.
Key Conversion Factors
- 1 N = 0.10197 kgf = 0.22481 lbf = 100,000 dyn
- 1 kgf = 9.80665 N = 2.20462 lbf
- 1 lbf = 4.44822 N = 0.45359 kgf = 16 ozf
- 1 kip = 1,000 lbf = 4,448.22 N = 4.448 kN
Features
- 10 Units — SI, CGS, gravitational metric, imperial, and specialty.
- Real-Time — Instant conversion as you type.
- All-Unit View — See all 9 equivalents simultaneously.
- Swap & Copy — Quick direction swap and clipboard copy.
Common Use Cases
- Physics — Convert F=ma results between unit systems.
- Engineering — Convert structural loads between N, kN, lbf, kip.
- Manufacturing — Compare force specs across international standards.
- Education — Learn force unit relationships.
Privacy
All conversions run in your browser. No data is transmitted. Works offline.