How many newtons in 1 kgf?

1 kgf = 9.80665 N exactly. This is the standard gravity constant — the gravitational acceleration at Earth's surface used as the conversion definition.

Is kgf the same as kg?

No. kg (kilogram) is a mass unit. kgf (kilogram-force) is a force unit — the force a 1 kg object exerts due to Earth's gravity. Saying something 'weighs 100 kg' is informally using weight (force) and mass interchangeably; technically it weighs 980.665 N (100 kgf).

What is the difference between kgf and kN?

kN (kilonewton) = 1,000 N. kgf = 9.80665 N. So 1 kN = 1,000 ÷ 9.80665 ≈ 101.97 kgf. Structural loads are often given in kN in SI countries and kgf in older or non-SI engineering documents.

Kilogram-force to Newtons Converter

1 kgf = 9.80665 N. This is Earth's standard gravity. A 10 kgf load = 98.0665 N in structural engineering.

Inverse conversion

1 N = 0.101972 kgf. A 1 kg object on Earth weighs 9.80665 N = 1 kgf. Divide newtons by 9.80665 to convert.

Newtons to Kilogram-force →

Formula

N = kgf × 9.80665

Worked example

To convert 50 kgf to newtons: 50 × 9.80665 = 490.33 N.

Quick reference table

kgf	N
1	9.80665
5	49.03325
10	98.0665
25	245.16625
50	490.3325
100	980.665
250	2451.6625
500	4903.325
1000	9806.65

Unit definitions

Kilogram-force (kgf)

The kilogram-force (kgf), also called kilopond (kp), is the gravitational force exerted by a 1 kg mass at standard gravity (9.80665 m/s²).

Newton (N)

The newton (N) is the SI unit of force. 1 kgf = exactly 9.80665 N by definition.

Common use cases

Spring and tensile strength ratings
Lifting capacity specifications
Old European engineering documents
Weight vs force calculations

Newtons to Pound-force Pound-force to Newtons

Related guides

Mass vs Force: Understanding the Difference

Mass and force are often confused in everyday language — we say something 'weighs' 70 kg when technically we mean its mass is 70 kg and its weight (force) is about 686 newtons. This distinction matters in physics, engineering, and any context where gravity varies or unit systems are mixed. Understanding it also explains why the pound is one of the most ambiguous units in common use.

Frequently asked questions

← All force converters Switch to Newtons to Kilogram-force →