Force Converter

How to convert force units

Every force unit is related to one base unit (Newton, N) by an exact factor. To convert, multiply by the factor of the unit you start from and divide by the factor of the unit you want.

value in new unit = value × (factor of old unit ÷ factor of new unit)

For example, 1 N = 1 N and 1 lbf = 4.448222 N, so 1 N = 0.2248089 lbf.

Quick reference table

How many of the units in the column headings make up one of the unit in each row.

One…	= dyn	= N	= kN	= MN	= lbf	= kip
1 dyn	1	1 × 10⁻⁵	1 × 10⁻⁸	1 × 10⁻¹¹	2.24809 × 10⁻⁶	2.24809 × 10⁻⁹
1 N	100 000	1	0.001	1 × 10⁻⁶	0.2248089	0.0002248089
1 kN	100 000 000	1 000	1	0.001	224.8089	0.2248089
1 MN	1 × 10¹¹	1 000 000	1 000	1	224 808.9	224.8089
1 lbf	444 822.2	4.448222	0.004448222	4.44822 × 10⁻⁶	1	0.001
1 kip	444 822 162	4 448.222	4.448222	0.004448222	1 000	1
1 kgf	980 665	9.80665	0.00980665	9.80665 × 10⁻⁶	2.204623	0.002204623
1 ozf	27 801.39	0.2780139	0.0002780139	2.78014 × 10⁻⁷	0.0625	6.25 × 10⁻⁵

Common values: N to lbf

Newton (N)	Pound-force (lbf)
1 N	0.2248089 lbf
2 N	0.4496179 lbf
5 N	1.124045 lbf
10 N	2.248089 lbf
20 N	4.496179 lbf
50 N	11.24045 lbf
100 N	22.48089 lbf
200 N	44.96179 lbf
500 N	112.4045 lbf
1 000 N	224.8089 lbf

Worked examples

The units explained

Unit	Symbol	Exact factor	Where it is used
Dyne	dyn	1 dyn = 1 × 10⁻⁵ N	CGS physics
Newton	N	1 N = 1 N	SI unit
Kilonewton	kN	1 kN = 1 000 N	Structures, press loads
Meganewton	MN	1 MN = 1 000 000 N	Large structures, bridges
Pound-force	lbf	1 lbf = 4.448222 N	US forces, thrust
Kip	kip	1 kip = 4 448.222 N	US structural loads
Kilogram-force	kgf	1 kgf = 9.80665 N	Older load cells and gauges
Ounce-force	ozf	1 ozf = 0.2780139 N	Small US forces

Key facts

• F = m × a. 1 N is the force that accelerates 1 kg at 1 m/s².
• 1 kgf = 9.80665 N. 1 lbf = 4.4482 N.

Related converters, guides and tools

• Other converters: Pressure converter, Density converter, Temperature converter, Angles converter, Flow Rate converter, Time converter, Stress converter, Strain converter, Velocity converter, Volume converter, Length converter, Mass converter, Torque converter, Power converter, Energy converter.
• Guides: Beams.
• Unit Conversions: every converter on one tabbed page that remembers the tabs you use.
• My Dashboard (members): put this converter on your own workspace as a widget beside the others.

FAQ

How many Pound-force units are in one Newton?

1 N = 0.2248089 lbf.

How do I convert N to lbf?

Multiply by 0.2248089 (the factor 1 ÷ 4.448222). To go back, divide by 0.2248089 or multiply by 4.448222.

What is the dyne (dyn) used for?

CGS physics.

What is the newton (N) used for?

SI unit.

Are the conversion factors exact?

Where a unit is defined exactly (the inch is 25.4 mm, the pound is 0.45359237 kg, standard gravity is 9.80665 m/s²) the factor is exact; others are given to ten or more digits. Results are shown to seven significant digits.

References

• NIST Special Publication 811, Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI), and NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C (general tables of units of measurement).
• BIPM, The International System of Units (SI Brochure), 9th edition; ISO 80000 (quantities and units).

Last reviewed: November 2026.