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Kilograms-force to newtons

Multiply kilograms-force by 9.8067 to get newtons.

1 kgf = 9.8067 NNIST SP 811
kgf
196.133N

20 kgf = 196.133 N

How to convert kilograms-force to newtons

The newton is the SI unit of force — one kg accelerated at one m/s². The kilogram-force is the force of one kilogram under standard gravity, exactly 9.80665 N.

Worked example — 20 kgf: 20 × 9.8067 = 196.133 N.

Kilograms-force to newtons table

Common conversions. The reverse table is on newtons to kilograms-force.
Kilograms-forceNewtons
1 kgf9.8067 N
2 kgf19.6133 N
5 kgf49.0332 N
10 kgf98.0665 N
20 kgf196.133 N
50 kgf490.3325 N
100 kgf980.665 N
200 kgf1,961.33 N
500 kgf4,903.325 N

Reverse and related

About kilograms-force and newtons

Kilogram-force (kgf)

1 kgf = 9.8067 N

Definition. The force of one kilogram under standard gravity, exactly 9.80665 N

History and origin

The kilogram-force, also called the kilopond, is the weight of one kilogram under standard gravity, exactly 9.80665 newtons. It was common before the newton became standard.

Current use

Kilograms-force still appear in some engineering and in torque specifications outside the United States.

Source: NIST SP 811, App. B (force). lbf and kgf are exact via the pound/kilogram and standard gravity 9.80665 m/s² (CGPM 1901); SP 811 prints them rounded

Newton (N)

1 N = 0.101972 kgf

Definition. The SI unit of force — one kg accelerated at one m/s²

History and origin

The newton is the SI unit of force, named after Isaac Newton, defined as the force that accelerates one kilogram at one metre per second squared. It replaced a patchwork of older force units.

Current use

Newtons are used in physics and engineering to state loads and forces.

Source: NIST SP 811, App. B (force). lbf and kgf are exact via the pound/kilogram and standard gravity 9.80665 m/s² (CGPM 1901); SP 811 prints them rounded

Where people use this

Kilograms-force: engineering outside the US, torque specs. Newtons: physics, engineering loads. 1 kgf is exactly 9.80665 N.

How we know this is right
The factor is fixed by the standards that define the units, not chosen — so it is exact, not a measurement:
1 N = 0.1019716213 kgf, so 1 kgf = 1 ÷ 0.1019716213 = 9.8067 N.

Every value is carried to full double precision; the display is rounded.

Both units are defined in NIST SP 811, App. B (force). lbf and kgf are exact via the pound/kilogram and standard gravity 9.80665 m/s² (CGPM 1901); SP 811 prints them rounded.

Questions people ask

How many newtons in a kilogram-force?

One kilogram-force is exactly 9.80665 newtons.

How many N is 10 kgf?

10 kgf is about 98.1 N.

What is a kilogram-force?

It is the weight of one kilogram under standard gravity, 9.80665 N.

All kilogram-force conversions