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Force Converter

Converts force between newtons (N, kN), dynes, gram-force, kilogram-force (kilopond), ounce-force, pound-force and kips using exact factors (1 lbf = 4.4482216152605 N, 1 kgf = 9.80665 N).

When to use

You need a load, thrust or weight-force in another unit, e.g. lbf to N, kgf to N or kN to kips for structural loads.

Do not use when: You need to compute force from mass and acceleration (Newton's second law is a physics calculation, not a unit conversion), a spring force (use hookes-law) or plain mass units (use mass).

Formula

result = value × factor, factor = (1 from_unit in N) / (1 to_unit in N)

kgf and lbf are the weights of 1 kg and 1 lb under standard gravity gₙ = 9.80665 m/s²; a mass in kg therefore has the same numeric value in kgf.

Inputs

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
`value`	number	yes	Amount to convert, expressed in from_unit.
`from_unit`	enum: N \| kN \| dyn \| gf \| kgf \| ozf \| lbf \| kip	yes	Unit of the input value. Accepted symbols: N, kN, dyn, gf, kgf, ozf, lbf, kip; spelled-out names and common abbreviations are accepted too.
`to_unit`	enum: N \| kN \| dyn \| gf \| kgf \| ozf \| lbf \| kip	yes	Unit to convert into (same symbols as from_unit).

Outputs

Output	Type	Description
`result`	number	Converted value expressed in to_unit (rounded to 6 decimals; see result_text for very small or very large values).
`result_text`	string	The conversion as text with 6 significant figures, e.g. "5 mi = 8.04672 km".
`formula`	string	Relation used, e.g. "1 mi = 1.609344 km".
`factor`	number	Multiplier from from_unit to to_unit (result = value × factor); absent for non-linear conversions.
`conversion_table`	object	The input value expressed in every supported force unit (6 significant figures), keyed by unit symbol.

Example

100 pounds-force to newtons: {"value":100,"from_unit":"lbf","to_unit":"N"} → {"result":444.822162,"factor":4.4482216153,"formula":"1 lbf = 4.448221615 N","conversion_table":{"kgf":45.3592,"kN":0.444822}}

500 N to kilograms-force: {"value":500,"from_unit":"N","to_unit":"kgf"} → {"result":50.985811,"conversion_table":{"lbf":112.404,"dyn":50000000}}

GET https://tttkmbb.com/api/v1/calculate/force?value=100&from_unit=lbf&to_unit=N

Machine access

API: GET https://tttkmbb.com/api/v1/calculate/force (query parameters) or POST with a JSON body {"inputs": {...}}
Schema: https://tttkmbb.com/api/v1/calculators/force · Markdown: https://tttkmbb.com/conversion/force.md · JSON definition: https://tttkmbb.com/conversion/force.json
MCP: server https://tttkmbb.com/mcp, tool run_calculator with calculator_id="force"
OpenAPI operationId: convert_force
Freshness: static. Authentication: none. Rate limit: fair use (see rate limits).

Sources

FAQ

Is kgf the same as kg?

No. kg is mass; kgf is the force exerted by 1 kg under standard gravity (9.80665 N). On Earth the numbers match, which is why scales are labelled in kg.

What is a kip?

A kilopound-force, 1000 lbf = 4448.22 N, used in US structural engineering.

Related calculators

Mass / Weight Converter — Mass units behind kgf and lbf.
Torque Converter — Force × lever arm units (N·m, lbf·ft).
Hooke's Law Calculator — Spring force from stiffness and displacement.