Kilonewton to Kilogram-force Converter

Convert kilonewtons to kilograms-force with our free online force converter.

Quick Answer

1 Kilonewton = 101.971621 kilograms-force

Formula: Kilonewton × conversion factor = Kilogram-force

Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.

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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 2026|Reviewed by: Sam Mathew, Software Engineer

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How to Use the Kilonewton to Kilogram-force Calculator:

Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Kilonewton).
The converted value in Kilogram-force 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 Kilonewton to Kilogram-force: Step-by-Step Guide

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

Formula:

kgf = kN × 101.972

Example Calculation:

1 kN = 101.971621 kgf

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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What is a Kilonewton and a Kilogram-force?

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 kg⋅m/s²

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)

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)

Note: The Kilonewton is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Kilogram-force belongs to the metric (SI) system.

History of the Kilonewton and Kilogram-force

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.

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.

Common Uses and Applications: kilonewtons vs kilograms-force

Explore the typical applications for both Kilonewton (imperial/US) and Kilogram-force (metric) to understand their common contexts.

Common Uses for 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.

When to Use 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.

Conversion Table: Kilonewton to Kilogram-force

Kilonewton (kN)	Kilogram-force (kgf)
0.5	50.986
1	101.972
1.5	152.957
2	203.943
5	509.858
10	1,019.716
25	2,549.291
50	5,098.581
100	10,197.162
250	25,492.905
500	50,985.811
1,000	101,971.621

How do I convert Kilonewton to Kilogram-force?

To convert Kilonewton to Kilogram-force, enter the value in Kilonewton 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.

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What is the conversion factor from Kilonewton to Kilogram-force?

The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Kilonewton and Kilogram-force. 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 Kilogram-force back to Kilonewton?

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

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What are common uses for Kilonewton and Kilogram-force?

Kilonewton and Kilogram-force 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.