UnitsConverter

Dyne to Kilonewton Converter

Convert dynes to kilonewtons with our free online force converter.

Quick Answer

1 Dyne = 1.000000e-8 kilonewtons

Formula: Dyne Ɨ conversion factor = Kilonewton

Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.

Our Accuracy Guarantee

All conversion formulas on UnitsConverter.io have been verified against NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines and international SI standards. Our calculations are accurate to 10 decimal places for standard conversions and use arbitrary precision arithmetic for astronomical units.

Last verified: February 2026Reviewed by: Sam Mathew, Software Engineer

Dyne to Kilonewton Calculator

How to Use the Dyne to Kilonewton Calculator:

  1. Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Dyne).
  2. The converted value in Kilonewton will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
  3. Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Force category.
  4. Click the swap button (ā‡Œ) to reverse the conversion direction.
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How to Convert Dyne to Kilonewton: Step-by-Step Guide

Converting Dyne to Kilonewton involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.

Formula:

kN = dyn Ɨ 1e-8

Example Calculation:

1 dyn = 1.000000e-8 kN

Disclaimer: For Reference Only

These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.

Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.

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šŸ“‹ Unit Symbols

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What is a Dyne and a Kilonewton?

The dyne (dyn) is the CGS unit of force. 1 dyne = force to accelerate 1 gram mass at 1 cm/sĀ².

Formula: F = ma (Force = mass Ɨ acceleration in CGS units)

Conversions:

  • 1 dyne = 0.00001 N (10ā»āµ newtons)
  • 1 dyne = 0.00000224809 lbf (pounds-force)
  • 1 dyne = 0.00000102 kgf (kilogram-force)
  • 100,000 dynes = 1 N
  • 1 N = 10āµ dynes

The kilonewton (kN) is equal to 1,000 newtons. It measures force in the SI system at a practical scale for engineering.

Formula: 1 kN = 1,000 N = 1,000 kgā‹…m/sĀ²

Conversions:

  • 1 kN = 1,000 N (newtons)
  • 1 kN = 0.001 MN (meganewtons)
  • 1 kN = 224.809 lbf (pounds-force)
  • 1 kN = 101.97 kgf (kilogram-force)
  • 1 kN = 0.2248 kip (1000 lbf)
  • 1 kN = 1,000,000 mN (millinewtons)

Note: The Dyne is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Kilonewton belongs to the imperial/US customary system.

History of the Dyne and Kilonewton

The dyne was introduced in the 1870s as part of the CGS (centimeter-gram-second) system developed by the British Association for the Advancement of Science. The name derives from the Greek word "dynamis" meaning power or force. While the CGS system was widely used in physics throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, it has been largely superseded by the SI system and the newton. However, dynes still appear in surface tension measurements, older scientific literature, and certain physics contexts where CGS units remain conventional.

The kilonewton emerged when the newton was adopted as the SI unit of force in 1948 at the 9th General Conference on Weights and Measures. As the SI system gained international acceptance in the 1960s through 1980s, the kilonewton became the standard unit for structural engineering calculations, replacing various regional units like the ton-force and kip. Today, kN is universally used in building codes, structural design software, equipment specifications, and engineering documentation worldwide. The unit provides a convenient scale where typical structural loads fall in the range of 1-1000 kN.

Common Uses and Applications: dynes vs kilonewtons

Explore the typical applications for both Dyne (imperial/US) and Kilonewton (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.

Common Uses for dynes

Physics Education: Teaching fundamental force concepts and unit systems - how different systems work. Surface Tension: Measured in dynes/cm (equivalent to mN/m in SI) - standard in fluid mechanics. Historical Scientific Papers: Many pre-1960s physics papers use CGS units - understanding legacy research. Microscopic Forces: Useful scale for cellular mechanics and microfluidics - avoids decimal notation. Biophysics: Cell mechanics, protein interactions, biomolecule forces.

When to Use kilonewtons

Structural Engineering: Building loads, beam capacity, column forces, foundation design.

Construction: Crane lifting capacity, excavator bucket force, pile driving.

Aerospace: Aircraft thrust ratings, landing gear loads, wing lift forces.

Automotive: Crash test forces, suspension design, towing capacity.

Mechanical Engineering: Press capacity, actuator force, brake systems.

Additional Unit Information

About Dyne (dyn)

How do I convert dynes to newtons?

Formula: N = dynes Ɨ 0.00001 (or dynes Ć· 100,000)

Examples:

  • 1,000 dynes = 0.01 N
  • 10,000 dynes = 0.1 N
  • 100,000 dynes = 1 N
  • 1,000,000 dynes = 10 N

Dynes to Newtons converter ā†’

How many dynes equal one newton?

1 newton = 100,000 dynes (10āµ dynes)

Quick conversions:

  • 0.01 N = 1,000 dynes
  • 0.1 N = 10,000 dynes
  • 1 N = 100,000 dynes
  • 10 N = 1,000,000 dynes

The large conversion factor reflects the difference between CGS (gram, centimeter) and SI (kilogram, meter) base units.

Newtons to Dynes converter ā†’

Why is the dyne still used?

Historical reasons: Older scientific literature and textbooks use CGS units.

Surface tension: Dynes/cm is equivalent to mN/m but remains common terminology.

Convenience: For microscopic forces, dynes avoid very small decimal values.

Education: Helps students understand different unit systems and conversions.

Most modern applications have transitioned to SI units (newtons), but dynes persist in specialized contexts and legacy measurements.

What is a dyne in everyday terms?

1 dyne is:

  • Force to accelerate 1 gram at 1 cm/sĀ²
  • Weight of about 1 milligram under Earth gravity
  • About 1/100,000 of a newton
  • Roughly the force of a small breeze on your fingertip

Perspective:

  • Too small to feel directly
  • Relevant for microscopic and cellular forces
  • Useful in physics calculations with CGS units
  • Common in surface chemistry and biophysics

Convert dynes to other force units ā†’

Conversion Table: Dyne to Kilonewton

Dyne (dyn)Kilonewton (kN)
0.50
10
1.50
20
50
100
250
500
1000
2500
5000
1,0000

People Also Ask

How do I convert Dyne to Kilonewton?

To convert Dyne to Kilonewton, enter the value in Dyne in the calculator above. The conversion will happen automatically. Use our free online converter for instant and accurate results. You can also visit our force converter page to convert between other units in this category.

Learn more ā†’

What is the conversion factor from Dyne to Kilonewton?

The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Dyne and Kilonewton. You can find the exact conversion formula and factor on this page. Our calculator handles all calculations automatically. See the conversion table above for common values.

Can I convert Kilonewton back to Dyne?

Yes! You can easily convert Kilonewton back to Dyne by using the swap button (ā‡Œ) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Kilonewton to Dyne converter page. You can also explore other force conversions on our category page.

Learn more ā†’

What are common uses for Dyne and Kilonewton?

Dyne and Kilonewton are both standard units used in force measurements. They are commonly used in various applications including engineering, construction, cooking, and scientific research. Browse our force converter for more conversion options.

For more force conversion questions, visit our FAQ page or explore our conversion guides.

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šŸ“š How to Convert Units

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šŸ”¢ Conversion Formulas

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āš ļø Common Mistakes

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All Force Conversions

Newton to MillinewtonNewton to KilonewtonNewton to MeganewtonNewton to DyneNewton to Pound-forceNewton to Kilogram-forceNewton to Gram-forceNewton to Metric Ton-forceNewton to US Ton-forceNewton to UK Ton-forceNewton to PoundalNewton to Ounce-forceNewton to KipMillinewton to NewtonMillinewton to KilonewtonMillinewton to MeganewtonMillinewton to DyneMillinewton to Pound-forceMillinewton to Kilogram-forceMillinewton to Gram-forceMillinewton to Metric Ton-forceMillinewton to US Ton-forceMillinewton to UK Ton-forceMillinewton to PoundalMillinewton to Ounce-forceMillinewton to KipKilonewton to NewtonKilonewton to MillinewtonKilonewton to MeganewtonKilonewton to DyneKilonewton to Pound-forceKilonewton to Kilogram-forceKilonewton to Gram-forceKilonewton to Metric Ton-forceKilonewton to US Ton-forceKilonewton to UK Ton-forceKilonewton to PoundalKilonewton to Ounce-forceKilonewton to KipMeganewton to NewtonMeganewton to MillinewtonMeganewton to KilonewtonMeganewton to DyneMeganewton to Pound-forceMeganewton to Kilogram-forceMeganewton to Gram-forceMeganewton to Metric Ton-forceMeganewton to US Ton-forceMeganewton to UK Ton-forceMeganewton to PoundalMeganewton to Ounce-forceMeganewton to KipDyne to NewtonDyne to MillinewtonDyne to MeganewtonDyne to Pound-forceDyne to Kilogram-forceDyne to Gram-forceDyne to Metric Ton-forceDyne to US Ton-forceDyne to UK Ton-forceDyne to PoundalDyne to Ounce-forceDyne to KipPound-force to NewtonPound-force to MillinewtonPound-force to KilonewtonPound-force to MeganewtonPound-force to DynePound-force to Kilogram-forcePound-force to Gram-forcePound-force to Metric Ton-forcePound-force to US Ton-forcePound-force to UK Ton-forcePound-force to PoundalPound-force to Ounce-forcePound-force to KipKilogram-force to NewtonKilogram-force to MillinewtonKilogram-force to KilonewtonKilogram-force to MeganewtonKilogram-force to DyneKilogram-force to Pound-forceKilogram-force to Gram-forceKilogram-force to Metric Ton-forceKilogram-force to US Ton-forceKilogram-force to UK Ton-forceKilogram-force to PoundalKilogram-force to Ounce-forceKilogram-force to KipGram-force to NewtonGram-force to MillinewtonGram-force to KilonewtonGram-force to MeganewtonGram-force to DyneGram-force to Pound-forceGram-force to Kilogram-forceGram-force to Metric Ton-forceGram-force to US Ton-forceGram-force to UK Ton-forceGram-force to PoundalGram-force to Ounce-forceGram-force to KipMetric Ton-force to NewtonMetric Ton-force to MillinewtonMetric Ton-force to KilonewtonMetric Ton-force to MeganewtonMetric Ton-force to DyneMetric Ton-force to Pound-forceMetric Ton-force to Kilogram-forceMetric Ton-force to Gram-forceMetric Ton-force to US Ton-forceMetric Ton-force to UK Ton-forceMetric Ton-force to PoundalMetric Ton-force to Ounce-forceMetric Ton-force to KipUS Ton-force to NewtonUS Ton-force to MillinewtonUS Ton-force to KilonewtonUS Ton-force to Meganewton

Other Force Units and Conversions

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Verified Against Authority Standards

All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.

NIST Reference on Constants, Units and Uncertainty

National Institute of Standards and Technology ā€” Fundamental physical constants and unit conversions

BIPM SI Units

Bureau International des Poids et Mesures ā€” International System of Units (SI) definitions and standards

ISO 80000

International Organization for Standardization ā€” Quantities and units international standards series

Last verified: February 19, 2026