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Newtons to kilograms-force

Multiply newtons by 0.101972 to get kilograms-force.

1 N = 0.101972 kgfNIST SP 811
N
10.1972kgf

100 N = 10.1972 kgf

How to convert newtons to kilograms-force

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

Worked example — 100 N: 100 × 0.101972 = 10.1972 kgf.

Newtons to kilograms-force table

Common conversions. The reverse table is on kilograms-force to newtons.
NewtonsKilograms-force
1 N0.101972 kgf
5 N0.509858 kgf
10 N1.0197 kgf
50 N5.0986 kgf
100 N10.1972 kgf
200 N20.3943 kgf
500 N50.9858 kgf
1,000 N101.9716 kgf
5,000 N509.8581 kgf

Reverse and related

About newtons and kilograms-force

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

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

Where people use this

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

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 kgf = 9.80665 N, so 1 N = 1 ÷ 9.80665 = 0.101972 kgf.

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 kgf is 9.80665 N?

9.80665 newtons is exactly 1 kilogram-force.

How many N in a kilogram-force?

One kilogram-force is 9.80665 N.

How many kgf is 100 N?

100 N is about 10.2 kgf.

All newton conversions