How it’s calculated
The newton is the SI unit of force: the force that accelerates 1 kg at 1 m/s². Gravitational units such as the pound-force and kilogram-force are the weight of a 1 lb or 1 kg mass under standard gravity (9.80665 m/s²), so their conversions are exact.
Example: 100 lbf × 4.4482216 = 444.82 N; 10 kN ÷ 4.4482216 = 2,248.09 lbf.
Frequently asked questions
How many newtons is one pound?
One pound-force is 4.448 N. A 1 lb mass weighs 4.448 N under standard gravity.
Is a kilogram a unit of force?
No. The kilogram is mass. The kilogram-force (9.80665 N) is the weight of 1 kg under standard gravity, and is still seen on older gauges and specs.
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Sources
- NIST Guide to the SI, Appendix B.8: Factors for Units Listed Alphabetically — U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology
- CODATA value: standard acceleration of gravity — NIST
Formulas are taken from the free public references above. Results are provided “as is” for informational and educational purposes only. See our disclaimer.
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