kgf to Newtons Converter
Convert kilogram-force (kilopond) to newtons (kgf to N) with the exact 9.80665 factor
1 kgf = 9.80665 N exactly. To convert kilogram-force to newtons, multiply by 9.80665, the standard acceleration of gravity, so 50 kgf is 490.3325 N.
Kilogram-force to Newtons converter
Live- 2.2046226 lbf
- 0.00980665 kN
- 980,665 dyn
How to convert kilogram-force to newtons
A kilogram-force is the weight of a one-kilogram mass under standard gravity. In 1901 the 3rd General Conference on Weights and Measures fixed that standard value at exactly 9.80665 m/s², so by F = m × a, 1 kgf = 1 kg × 9.80665 m/s² = 9.80665 N. The factor is a definition, not a measurement, and it never changes with location. The force converter applies the same kind of exact factor to every other unit, from dynes to kilonewtons.
The trap is reading kgf as kg. A kilogram is mass, and a kilogram-force is force; they share a number only at standard gravity. Real gravity varies from about 9.780 m/s² at the equator to 9.832 m/s² at the poles, so a 1 kg mass actually weighs slightly different amounts, but the kgf is always 9.80665 N. To express the result in US units, the newtons to pounds converter takes the next step, and 1 kgf equals 2.20462 lbf.
Step by step
- Take the force in kgf (or kilopond, kp).
- Multiply by 9.80665.
- Divide by 1,000 if you want kilonewtons.
- Keep the full 9.80665 factor; 9.81 or 10 add rounding error.
See it on a scale
Worked examples
One kilogram-force, the Rockwell C test load and one tonne-force, a common press and crane rating.
1 kgf × 9.80665 = 9.80665 N
= 9.80665 N
150 kgf × 9.80665 = 1,470.9975 N
= 1,470.9975 N
1,000 kgf × 9.80665 = 9,806.65 N
= 9,806.65 N
How many newtons is 1 kg?
A 1 kg mass weighs 9.80665 N at standard gravity, exactly the same force as 1 kgf. Strictly, kilograms measure mass and newtons measure force, so the conversion always passes through an acceleration: weight = mass × g.
That is why the answer depends on which g you use. The standard value gives an exact result, and the rounded values used in classrooms and quick estimates give slightly different ones:
| g used | 1 kg weighs | 75 kg weighs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.80665 m/s² (standard) | 9.80665 N | 735.4987 N | exact |
| 9.81 m/s² | 9.81 N | 735.75 N | +0.034% |
| 9.8 m/s² | 9.8 N | 735 N | −0.068% |
| 10 m/s² | 10 N | 750 N | +1.97% |
Scales and hand dynamometers that display kg are measuring a force and dividing it by standard gravity, so their readings are really kgf and convert with the same factor. In a physics problem, use whichever g your course specifies; on equipment labels and in engineering work, use 9.80665.
How many kN is one tonne-force?
One tonne-force (tf), the weight of 1,000 kg at standard gravity, is exactly 9.80665 kN, or 9,806.65 N. It is the unit behind most metric crane, hoist, jack and press ratings given in tonnes.
Ratings in tons from the US and UK use different tons. The US short ton is 2,000 lb, so a short ton-force is 8.8964 kN, while the British long ton of 2,240 lb gives 9.964 kN:
| Rating | Kilonewtons | Kilogram-force |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tonne-force (metric) | 9.80665 kN | 1,000 kgf |
| 1 short ton-force (2,000 lbf) | 8.8964 kN | 907.18 kgf |
| 1 long ton-force (2,240 lbf) | 9.964 kN | 1,016.05 kgf |
| 20 tonnes-force | 196.133 kN | 20,000 kgf |
If a press or jack sold in the US is rated at 20 tons and the maker means short tons, its capacity is 177.93 kN, about 9% less than a 20 tonne-force unit, so check which ton a rating uses before you compare two machines.
How do I convert kgf to newtons in Excel or Google Sheets?
Enter =A2*9.80665 with the kgf value in A2; the result is newtons, and =A2*9.80665/1000 gives kilonewtons.
For the opposite direction, newtons to kgf, divide instead: =A2/9.80665. Because 9.80665 is an exact defined constant, you can type it in full and never need more digits. Related gravitational units follow the same pattern:
- kgf/cm² to kPa:
=A2*98.0665 - kgf·m to N·m:
=A2*9.80665, the same factor, since the lever arm is already in meters - kgf to lbf:
=A2*9.80665/4.4482216152605 - tonnes-force to kN:
=A2*9.80665
In a larger sheet, put 9.80665 in a single cell and reference it absolutely, for example =A2*$F$1, so every formula uses the same constant and nobody slips in 9.81. As a check, 150 kgf returns 1,470.9975 N, the Rockwell C total test force that ISO 6508 lists as 1,471 N, and 30 kgf returns 294.1995 N, the Vickers HV30 load.
kgf to newtons conversion chart
Kilogram-force values from 0.1 kgf to 10 tonnes-force, rounded to four decimals. Every result is simply the kgf value times 9.80665.
| Kilogram-force (kgf) | Newtons (N) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 kgf | 0.9807 N |
| 0.5 kgf | 4.9033 N |
| 1 kgf | 9.8066 N |
| 2 kgf | 19.6133 N |
| 3 kgf | 29.42 N |
| 5 kgf | 49.0332 N |
| 10 kgf | 98.0665 N |
| 15 kgf | 147.0998 N |
| 20 kgf | 196.133 N |
| 25 kgf | 245.1662 N |
| 30 kgf | 294.1995 N |
| 40 kgf | 392.266 N |
| 50 kgf | 490.3325 N |
| 60 kgf | 588.399 N |
| 70 kgf | 686.4655 N |
| 75 kgf | 735.4987 N |
| 80 kgf | 784.532 N |
| 100 kgf | 980.665 N |
| 150 kgf | 1,470.9975 N |
| 200 kgf | 1,961.33 N |
| 250 kgf | 2,451.6625 N |
| 300 kgf | 2,941.995 N |
| 500 kgf | 4,903.325 N |
| 750 kgf | 7,354.9875 N |
| 1,000 kgf | 9,806.65 N |
| 2,000 kgf | 19,613.3 N |
| 3,000 kgf | 29,419.95 N |
| 5,000 kgf | 49,033.25 N |
| 10,000 kgf | 98,066.5 N |
Kilogram-force vs newton: what is the difference?
Both measure force, but the kilogram-force is tied to the weight of a kilogram, while the newton is tied to acceleration and is the SI unit.
| Attribute | Kilogram-force | Newtons |
|---|---|---|
| Symbol | kgf | N |
| System | Gravitational metric | SI derived unit |
| Defined as | 9.80665 N | 1 kg·m/s² |
| One unit equals | 9.80665 N | 0.10197162 kgf |
| Based on | Weight of 1 kg at standard gravity (9.80665 m/s²) | Force that accelerates 1 kg at 1 m/s² |
| Other names and relatives | Kilopond (kp); gram-force and tonne-force | Kilonewton (kN) and meganewton (MN) for large loads |
| Documented in | Standard gravity from the 3rd CGPM (1901); factor in NIST SP 811 | BIPM SI Brochure |
| Pressure unit built on it | kgf/cm² = 98.0665 kPa | N/m² = 1 pascal |
| Still seen on | Older machines, hardness testers, grip dynamometers and Asian catalogs | Modern standards, load cells and engineering drawings worldwide |
4 key differences
- A kilogram-force is 9.80665 times larger than a newton, so the same force is always a bigger number in newtons.
- The newton is defined without reference to gravity; the kilogram-force depends on the conventional standard gravity by definition.
- Current ISO hardness standards state test forces in newtons, even though the loads were originally chosen as round kgf values such as 150 kgf (1,471 N).
- One kilogram-force per square centimeter is 0.980665 bar, whereas one newton per square centimeter is exactly 0.1 bar.
What is a kilogram-force?
A kilogram-force (kgf) is the force that standard gravity exerts on a one-kilogram mass, exactly 9.80665 newtons, and it is also called the kilopond (kp). It belongs to the old gravitational metric system, in which force units were based on the weight of standard masses. It was widely used in European engineering until the newton replaced it in the 1960s and 1970s, and it still appears on older machinery, gauges and drawings.
Related units follow the same pattern: the gram-force (gf) is 0.00980665 N, and the tonne-force (tf) is 1,000 kgf, or 9.80665 kN. Crane, press and jack capacities in tonnes are usually tonnes-force.
kgf/cm²: the old pressure unit
Pressure gauges from Asia and older European equipment may read kgf/cm². Since 1 cm² is 0.0001 m², 1 kgf/cm² = 98,066.5 Pa = 98.0665 kPa = 0.98066 bar, or 14.2233 psi. It is close to, but not the same as, 1 bar or 1 atmosphere. The bar to psi converter handles the final step to US units.
Hardness test loads: kgf to newtons
Hardness scales were defined in kilogram-force, and many test machines still show kgf. Current ISO standards state the same loads in newtons, which this table shows.
| Test | Load (kgf) | Load (N) |
|---|---|---|
| Rockwell minor (preliminary) load | 10 kgf | 98.07 N |
| Rockwell A scale total load | 60 kgf | 588.4 N |
| Rockwell B scale total load | 100 kgf | 980.66 N |
| Rockwell C scale total load | 150 kgf | 1,471 N |
| Vickers HV1 | 1 kgf | 9.81 N |
| Vickers HV10 | 10 kgf | 98.07 N |
| Vickers HV30 | 30 kgf | 294.2 N |
| Brinell, 10 mm ball, soft metals | 500 kgf | 4,903.32 N |
| Brinell, 10 mm ball, steel and cast iron | 3,000 kgf | 29,419.95 N |
Does 1 kg weigh 1 kgf everywhere?
No: a mass in kilograms weighs the same number of kgf only where gravity equals the standard 9.80665 m/s², so a 10 kg mass at sea level weighs from about 9.973 kgf at the equator to 10.026 kgf at the poles. The table compares what a 10 kg mass actually weighs in different places with its fixed 10 kgf rating. Earth values use the normal gravity formula at sea level; Moon and Mars values are rounded averages.
| Location | Gravity | Weight of 10 kg | In kgf |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equator (sea level) | 9.7803 m/s² | 97.803 N | 9.973 kgf |
| Standard gravity (kgf definition) | 9.80665 m/s² | 98.066 N | 10 kgf |
| Poles (sea level) | 9.8322 m/s² | 98.322 N | 10.026 kgf |
| Mars (surface average) | 3.721 m/s² | 37.21 N | 3.794 kgf |
| Moon (surface average) | 1.62 m/s² | 16.2 N | 1.652 kgf |
Where is kilogram-force still used?
Kilogram-force survives mainly on hand dynamometers, hanging scales, fishing line labels, older kgf·m torque specs and Asian catalogs for presses, springs and jacks.
- Hand grip dynamometers and fitness tests report grip strength in kg, meaning kgf.
- Luggage and hanging scales measure force and display kg; the reading is kgf.
- Fishing line and rope breaking strengths are often printed in kg alongside lb.
- Older torque specs in kgf·m convert to N·m with the same factor: 10 kgf·m = 98.0665 N·m. The Nm to ft-lbs converter finishes the job for US tools.
- Springs, presses and jacks in Asian catalogs are often rated in kgf or tonnes.
For the mass side of the story, a kilogram is 2.20462 lb; see the kg to lbs converter.
Can you use 9.81 or 10 instead of 9.80665?
For rough checks yes: 9.81 is only 0.034% high and 10 is 1.97% high, but the kgf is defined with exactly 9.80665, so use the full factor for anything you record.
Multiply by 10, then take off 2%. For 40 kgf: 400 − 8 = 392 N, against the exact 392.266 N.
- Using 9.81 adds 0.034%, so 1,000 kgf becomes 9,810 N instead of 9,806.65 N.
- Using 9.8 subtracts 0.068%: 1,000 kgf becomes 9,800 N.
- Using local gravity. The kgf is defined with standard gravity, so never substitute your local g when converting a kgf rating.
For pounds-force going the other way, the pounds to newtons converter uses the same standard gravity. The full list of units is on the force converter.
Sources and further reading
The standards and references behind the numbers on this page. Links open in a new tab.
Standards and official sources
Further reading
- Kilogram-forceWikipedia
- NewtonWikipedia
kgf to newtons FAQs
Short, exact answers to what people ask most.
How many newtons is 1 kgf?
One kilogram-force is exactly 9.80665 newtons.
Is kgf the same as kg?
No. A kilogram (kg) measures mass, while a kilogram-force (kgf) measures force: the weight of 1 kg at standard gravity. They share a number only at standard gravity.
What is 10 kgf in newtons?
10 kgf equals 98.0665 N, just under 100 N.
How do I convert kgf to lbf?
Multiply kgf by 2.204623. For example, 50 kgf is 110.23 lbf.
What is a kilopond?
A kilopond (kp) is another name for the kilogram-force. 1 kp = 1 kgf = 9.80665 N.
Is 1 kgf/cm² the same as 1 bar?
Nearly. 1 kgf/cm² is 0.98066 bar, or 14.223 psi, about 2% less than 1 bar.
What is 100 kgf in newtons?
100 kgf equals 980.665 N, just under 1 kN.
How many kgf is 1 newton?
One newton is 0.1019716 kgf, roughly the weight of a 102 g mass.
What is 500 kgf in kN?
500 kgf is 4.903325 kN, or 4,903.325 N.
Related conversions
Standard gravity 9.80665 m/s² as adopted by the 3rd CGPM (1901); kilogram-force, kgf/cm² and ton-force factors from NIST SP 811 (2008), Appendix B; the pound as 0.45359237 kg from the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement; hardness test loads from ISO 6508 (Rockwell), ISO 6507 (Vickers) and ISO 6506 (Brinell). Last updated . How we verify our numbers.