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Convert Kilograms-force to Kilonewtons

1 kilogram-force is 0.009807 kN. One kilogram-force is exactly 0.00980665 kilonewtons.

One kilogram-force is 0.00980665 kilonewtons. To convert kilograms-force to kilonewtons, multiply by 0.00980665; to go the other way, divide by 0.00980665 or multiply by 101.97162. The factor is exact rather than rounded: it follows from NIST Special Publication 811. The weight of one kilogram under standard gravity, exactly 9.80665 newtons by the defined value of that gravity.

Factor checked against the defining standard · How we check

Kilonewtons
0.009807 kN
Kilograms-force × 0.00980665
value * 0.009806650.01 kN

1 kilogram-force in every force unit

UnitValueExact factor
newtons9.80665 N× 9.80665
kilonewtons0.00980665 kN× 0.00980665
pounds-force2.204622622 lbf× 2.20462262185
kilograms-force (as entered)1 kgf
ounces-force35.27396195 ozf× 35.2739619496
dynes980,665 dyn× 980,665

Factors are entered by hand from NIST Special Publication 811 rather than derived from a units library, so the ones that terminate are exact rather than rounded.

How do you convert kilograms-force to kilonewtons?

  1. 1.Take the measurement in kilograms-force.
  2. 2.Multiply by 0.00980665 — that is how many kilonewtons fit in one kilogram-force.
  3. 3.To go back the other way, divide by 0.00980665, or multiply by 101.97162.

Worked example: 25 kilograms-force to kilonewtons

Formula
kgf × 0.00980665 = kN
Arithmetic
25 × 0.00980665 = 0.245166 kN
Answer
25 kgf = 0.245166 kN

The factor is exact, so this figure is exact too — only the display is rounded.

Kilograms-force to kilonewtons conversion table

Kilograms-forceKilonewtons
1 kgf0.009807 kN
2 kgf0.019613 kN
3 kgf0.02942 kN
4 kgf0.039227 kN
5 kgf0.049033 kN
6 kgf0.05884 kN
7 kgf0.068647 kN
8 kgf0.078453 kN
9 kgf0.08826 kN
10 kgf0.098067 kN
12 kgf0.11768 kN
15 kgf0.1471 kN
20 kgf0.196133 kN
25 kgf0.245166 kN
50 kgf0.490333 kN
100 kgf0.980665 kN
200 kgf1.96133 kN
300 kgf2.941995 kN
500 kgf4.903325 kN
1000 kgf9.80665 kN
2000 kgf19.6133 kN
5000 kgf49.03325 kN
10000 kgf98.0665 kN

What is a kilogram-force?

The weight of one kilogram under standard gravity, exactly 9.80665 newtons by the defined value of that gravity. Older European engineering drawings are full of it.

What is a kilonewton?

A thousand newtons. Structural loads, anchor ratings and climbing gear are marked here: a 22 kN carabiner holds about 2.2 tonnes.

How many kilonewtons are in a kilogram-force?

One kilogram-force is 0.00980665 kilonewtons, exactly. Going the other way, one kilonewton is 101.97162 kilograms-force. Both figures come from the same defined relation rather than from a measurement, which is why they are the same today as they were in 1959.

Every force unit here

UnitSymbolOne of these is
NewtonsNthe base unit
KilonewtonskN1000 newton
Pounds-forcelbf4.4482216 newton
Kilograms-forcekgf9.80665 newton
Ounces-forceozf0.27801385 newton
Dynesdyn1.0000 × 10^-5 newton

Source: NIST Special Publication 811 — pound-force is exactly 4.4482216152605 N

Questions people actually ask

How many kilonewtons are in a kilogram-force?
0.00980665. A thousand newtons. Structural loads, anchor ratings and climbing gear are marked here: a 22 kN carabiner holds about 2.2 tonnes.
How do I convert kilonewtons back to kilograms-force?
Divide by 0.00980665, or multiply by 101.97162 — they are the same operation.

Other force conversions

Kilonewtons to kilograms-force — the same conversion the other way.