How do I convert millinewtons to newtons?

Formula : N = mN × 0.001 (or mN ÷ 1,000) Examples : 10 mN = 0.01 N 100 mN = 0.1 N 500 mN = 0.5 N 1,000 mN = 1 N Simple rule : Divide by 1,000 or move decimal point three places left. Millinewtons to Newtons converter →

How many millinewtons equal one gram-force?

1 gram-force = 9.807 millinewtons (approximately 9.81 mN) Quick conversions : 1 gf = 9.81 mN 5 gf = 49.0 mN 10 gf = 98.1 mN 100 gf = 981 mN Reverse : 1 mN = 0.102 gf Gram-force to Millinewtons converter →

What is the relationship between millinewtons and dynes?

1 millinewton = 100 dynes Both measure small forces but come from different unit systems: Millinewton : SI-derived unit (compatible with newtons, meters, kilograms) Dyne : CGS unit (based on centimeters, grams, seconds) Conversion examples : 10 mN = 1,000 dynes 100 mN = 10,000 dynes 1,000 mN = 100,000 dynes Modern scientific practice favors millinewtons for SI unit consistency, though surface tension is still sometimes reported in dynes/cm (numerically equal to mN/m). Dynes to Millinewtons converter →

When should I use millinewtons instead of newtons?

Use millinewtons when : Measuring forces less than 1 N Surface tension measurements Precision instrument specifications Electronics component testing Small force values that would require many decimal places in newtons Use newtons when : Standard engineering calculations Forces greater than 1 N General physics applications When precision below 0.1 N is unnecessary Note : "50 mN" is clearer and easier to read than "0.050 N" in precision contexts. Convert millinewtons to other force units →

Millinewton (mN) - Unit Information & Conversion

Symbol:mN

Plural:millinewtons

Category:Force

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What is a Millinewton?

The millinewton (mN) is a metric unit of force equal to 0.001 newtons. Used for small-scale force measurements in precision instruments, surface tension, microelectronics, and scientific research applications requiring fine force measurement.

History of the Millinewton

Derived from the SI unit newton with the SI prefix milli- (10⁻³). Became common in precision measurement and scientific instrumentation. Preferred over CGS units like dynes in modern scientific applications for small force measurements.

Quick Answer

What is a Millinewton? A millinewton (mN) is a metric unit of force equal to 0.001 newtons (one-thousandth of a newton). It measures small forces: 10 mN ≈ weight of 1 gram, 100 mN ≈ firm finger push on button, 1,000 mN = 1 newton. Used in precision instruments, surface tension measurements, microelectronics testing, and scientific research. Use our force converter to convert millinewtons to newtons, gram-force, and other units instantly.

Quick Comparison Table

Millinewtons	Newtons	Gram-force	Context	Convert Now
1	0.001	0.102	Small insect weight	mN to N →
10	0.01	1.02	~1 gram weight	mN to gf →
50	0.05	5.1	Button press force	mN to N →
100	0.1	10.2	Strong finger push	mN to N →
500	0.5	51	Pencil writing force	mN to N →
1,000	1	102	1 newton	mN to N →

Definition

The millinewton (mN) equals 0.001 newtons. It measures small forces in SI units.

Formula: 1 mN = 0.001 N = 10⁻³ kg⋅m/s²

Conversions:

1 mN = 0.001 N (newtons)
1 mN = 1,000 μN (micronewtons)
1 mN = 0.000224809 lbf (pounds-force)
1 mN = 0.10197 gf (gram-force)
1 mN = 100 dynes
1,000 mN = 1 N

History

The millinewton emerged as precision measurement technology advanced in the 20th century. As instruments capable of measuring small forces were developed for materials science, electronics testing, and biological research, a convenient SI unit was needed. The millinewton provides an appropriate scale for forces that are too small to express conveniently in newtons but don't require the microscale precision of micronewtons. It gradually replaced the CGS unit dyne in modern scientific literature while maintaining SI unit consistency. Today, mN is standard in surface tension measurements, precision force gauges, and microelectronics testing.

Common Uses

Surface Tension: Liquid surface tension measured in mN/m (equivalent to dynes/cm).

Precision Instruments: Force gauges, material testing equipment, contact force sensors.

Microelectronics: Component insertion force, connector retention, switch actuation.

Biological Research: Cell manipulation, tissue mechanics, microfluidics.

Quality Control: Product testing, texture analysis, mechanical property verification.

Real-World Examples

Everyday Small Forces:

Small ant weight: ~0.5-2 mN
Honeybee weight: ~1 mN
Grain of rice weight: ~15-25 mN
Paperclip weight: ~10 mN
Postage stamp weight: ~0.5 mN
Human hair (1 cm): ~0.1 mN weight

Surface Tension:

Water: 72 mN/m at 25°C
Ethanol: 22 mN/m
Mercury: 486 mN/m
Soapy water: 25-30 mN/m
Blood plasma: 50-55 mN/m
Saliva: 55-65 mN/m

Electronics and Switches:

Keyboard key: 45-80 mN actuation force
Mouse button: 50-150 mN
Microswitch: 10-200 mN
Touch sensor: 1-50 mN
Connector insertion: 100-1,000 mN
IC chip insertion: 50-500 mN

Precision Measurements:

Pen writing pressure: 200-800 mN
Touchscreen tap: 100-500 mN
Stylus pressure: 50-500 mN
Dental probe: 10-100 mN
Sewing needle penetration: 100-500 mN
Micro-manipulation: 0.1-10 mN

Millinewton Conversion Formulas

To Newton:

1 mN = 0.001 N

Example: 5 millinewtons = 0.005 newtons

To Kilonewton:

1 mN = 0.000001 kN

Example: 5 millinewtons = 0.000005 kilonewtons

To Meganewton:

1 mN = 1.0000e-9 MN

Example: 5 millinewtons = 5.0000e-9 meganewtons

To Dyne:

1 mN = 100 dyn

Example: 5 millinewtons = 500 dynes

To Pound-force:

1 mN = 0.000225 lbf

Example: 5 millinewtons = 0.001124 pounds-force

To Kilogram-force:

1 mN = 0.000102 kgf

Example: 5 millinewtons = 0.00051 kilograms-force

To Gram-force:

1 mN = 0.101972 gf

Example: 5 millinewtons = 0.509858 grams-force

To Metric Ton-force:

1 mN = 1.0197e-7 tf

Example: 5 millinewtons = 5.0986e-7 metric tons-force

To US Ton-force:

1 mN = 1.1240e-7 tonf

Example: 5 millinewtons = 5.6202e-7 US tons-force

To UK Ton-force:

1 mN = 1.0036e-7 LTf

Example: 5 millinewtons = 5.0181e-7 UK tons-force

To Poundal:

1 mN = 0.007233 pdl

Example: 5 millinewtons = 0.036165 poundals

To Ounce-force:

1 mN = 0.003597 ozf

Example: 5 millinewtons = 0.017985 ounces-force

To Kip:

1 mN = 2.2481e-7 kip

Example: 5 millinewtons = 0.000001 kips

Frequently Asked Questions

Formula: N = mN × 0.001 (or mN ÷ 1,000) Examples:

10 mN = 0.01 N
100 mN = 0.1 N
500 mN = 0.5 N
1,000 mN = 1 N Simple rule: Divide by 1,000 or move decimal point three places left. Millinewtons to Newtons converter →

Convert Millinewton

Need to convert Millinewton to other force units? Use our conversion tool.

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