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Convert Kilograms-force to Newtons

1 kilogram-force is 9.80665 N. One kilogram-force is exactly 9.80665 newtons.

One kilogram-force is 9.80665 newtons. To convert kilograms-force to newtons, multiply by 9.80665; to go the other way, divide by 9.80665 or multiply by 0.10197162. 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

Newtons
9.80665 N
Kilograms-force × 9.80665
value * 9.806659.807 N

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 newtons?

  1. 1.Take the measurement in kilograms-force.
  2. 2.Multiply by 9.80665 — that is how many newtons fit in one kilogram-force.
  3. 3.To go back the other way, divide by 9.80665, or multiply by 0.10197162.

Worked example: 25 kilograms-force to newtons

Formula
kgf × 9.80665 = N
Arithmetic
25 × 9.80665 = 245.16625 N
Answer
25 kgf = 245.16625 N

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

Kilograms-force to newtons conversion table

Kilograms-forceNewtons
1 kgf9.80665 N
2 kgf19.6133 N
3 kgf29.41995 N
4 kgf39.2266 N
5 kgf49.03325 N
6 kgf58.8399 N
7 kgf68.64655 N
8 kgf78.4532 N
9 kgf88.25985 N
10 kgf98.0665 N
12 kgf117.6798 N
15 kgf147.09975 N
20 kgf196.133 N
25 kgf245.16625 N
50 kgf490.3325 N
100 kgf980.665 N
200 kgf1,961.33 N
300 kgf2,941.995 N
500 kgf4,903.325 N
1000 kgf9,806.65 N
2000 kgf19,613.3 N
5000 kgf49,033.25 N
10000 kgf98,066.5 N

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 newton?

The SI unit: the force that accelerates one kilogram by one metre per second every second. Holding a small apple against gravity takes about one newton.

How many newtons are in a kilogram-force?

One kilogram-force is 9.80665 newtons, exactly. Going the other way, one newton is 0.10197162 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 newtons are in a kilogram-force?
9.80665. The SI unit: the force that accelerates one kilogram by one metre per second every second. Holding a small apple against gravity takes about one newton.
How do I convert newtons back to kilograms-force?
Divide by 9.80665, or multiply by 0.10197162 — they are the same operation.

Other force conversions

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