Kilogram-force to Dyne Converter
Convert kilograms-force to dynes with our free online force converter.
Quick Answer
1 Kilogram-force = 980665 dynes
Formula: Kilogram-force × conversion factor = Dyne
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.
Kilogram-force to Dyne Calculator
How to Use the Kilogram-force to Dyne Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Kilogram-force).
- The converted value in Dyne will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Force category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Kilogram-force to Dyne: Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Kilogram-force to Dyne involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
dyn = kgf × 980665Example Calculation:
1 kgf = 980665 dyn
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.
Need to convert to other force units?
View all Force conversions →What is a Kilogram-force and a Dyne?
Kilogram-force (kgf) is the force exerted by one kilogram of mass under standard gravity (9.80665 m/s²).
Formula: 1 kgf = 1 kg × 9.80665 m/s²
Conversions:
- 1 kgf = 9.80665 N (newtons)
- 1 kgf = 0.00980665 kN (kilonewtons)
- 1 kgf = 2.204623 lbf (pounds-force)
- 1 kgf = 1,000 gf (gram-force)
- 1 kgf = 980,665 dynes
- 1 kgf = 35.274 ozf (ounce-force)
The dyne (dyn) is the CGS unit of force. 1 dyne = force to accelerate 1 gram mass at 1 cm/s².
Formula: F = ma (Force = mass × acceleration in CGS units)
Conversions:
- 1 dyne = 0.00001 N (10⁻⁵ newtons)
- 1 dyne = 0.00000224809 lbf (pounds-force)
- 1 dyne = 0.00000102 kgf (kilogram-force)
- 100,000 dynes = 1 N
- 1 N = 10⁵ dynes
Note: The Kilogram-force is part of the metric (SI) system, primarily used globally in science and trade. The Dyne belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Kilogram-force and Dyne
Kilogram-force emerged from the meter-kilogram-second gravitational system (MKS), which was used extensively in engineering before the adoption of SI units in the 1960s. In German-speaking countries and parts of Europe, it was called "kilopond" (kp), from the Latin word for weight. Despite the official adoption of the newton as the SI unit of force in 1960, kilogram-force remains prevalent in many engineering disciplines, particularly in automotive torque specifications, hydraulic systems, material testing, and construction equipment. Many Asian and European countries continue to use kgf in technical documentation and consumer products.
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.
Common Uses and Applications: kilograms-force vs dynes
Explore the typical applications for both Kilogram-force (metric) and Dyne (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for kilograms-force
Automotive Engineering: Torque specifications (kgf·m), suspension loads, brake force.
Hydraulic Systems: Pressure ratings (kgf/cm² = 1 technical atmosphere).
Material Testing: Tensile strength, compression testing, hardness measurements.
Construction: Structural loads, lifting equipment capacity, crane ratings.
Consumer Products: Weight capacity labels, exercise equipment resistance.
When to Use 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.
Additional Unit Information
About Dyne (dyn)
How do I convert dynes to newtons?
Formula: N = dynes × 0.00001 (or dynes ÷ 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
How many dynes equal one newton?
1 newton = 100,000 dynes (10⁵ 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.
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/s²
- 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
Conversion Table: Kilogram-force to Dyne
| Kilogram-force (kgf) | Dyne (dyn) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 490,332.5 |
| 1 | 980,665 |
| 1.5 | 1,470,997.5 |
| 2 | 1,961,330 |
| 5 | 4,903,325 |
| 10 | 9,806,650 |
| 25 | 24,516,625 |
| 50 | 49,033,250 |
| 100 | 98,066,500 |
| 250 | 245,166,250 |
| 500 | 490,332,500 |
| 1,000 | 980,665,000 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Kilogram-force to Dyne?
To convert Kilogram-force to Dyne, enter the value in Kilogram-force 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 →What is the conversion factor from Kilogram-force to Dyne?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Kilogram-force and Dyne. 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 Dyne back to Kilogram-force?
Yes! You can easily convert Dyne back to Kilogram-force by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Dyne to Kilogram-force converter page. You can also explore other force conversions on our category page.
Learn more →What are common uses for Kilogram-force and Dyne?
Kilogram-force and Dyne 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.
Helpful Conversion Guides
Learn more about unit conversion with our comprehensive guides:
📚 How to Convert Units
Step-by-step guide to unit conversion with practical examples.
🔢 Conversion Formulas
Essential formulas for force and other conversions.
⚖️ Metric vs Imperial
Understand the differences between measurement systems.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Learn about frequent errors and how to avoid them.
All Force Conversions
Other Force Units and Conversions
Explore other force units and their conversion options:
- Newton (N) • Kilogram-force to Newton
- Millinewton (mN) • Kilogram-force to Millinewton
- Kilonewton (kN) • Kilogram-force to Kilonewton
- Meganewton (MN) • Kilogram-force to Meganewton
- Pound-force (lbf) • Kilogram-force to Pound-force
- Gram-force (gf) • Kilogram-force to Gram-force
- Metric Ton-force (tf) • Kilogram-force to Metric Ton-force
- US Ton-force (tonf) • Kilogram-force to US Ton-force
- UK Ton-force (LTf) • Kilogram-force to UK Ton-force
- Poundal (pdl) • Kilogram-force to Poundal
Verified Against Authority Standards
All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.
National Institute of Standards and Technology — Fundamental physical constants and unit conversions
Bureau International des Poids et Mesures — International System of Units (SI) definitions and standards
International Organization for Standardization — Quantities and units international standards series
Last verified: February 19, 2026