# Force Unit Converter

kN, N, tonne-force, kgf and lbf for loads and lifting.

- Page: https://jianzhujisuan.com/en/unit-force
- Category: Unit conversion (https://jianzhujisuan.com/en/c/unit-conversion)
- Chinese version: https://jianzhujisuan.com/zh/unit-force.md
- Data checked: 2026-10-25

## Quick result

With the default inputs (Value 1, From unit Kilonewton (kN), To unit Tonne-force (tf)): **Converted value 0.101972 tf**

## Inputs

| Parameter | Type | Default | Unit | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | number | 1 | — |  |
| From unit | select | Kilonewton (kN) | — |  |
| To unit | select | Tonne-force (tf) | — |  |

## Formula

- **Base**: 1 kN = 1000 N, 1 MN = 1000 kN
- **Gravity**: 1 kgf = 9.80665 N, 1 tf = 9.80665 kN
- **Anglo-American**: 1 lbf = 4.44822 N, 1 kip = 1000 lbf = 4.44822 kN
- **Mass and force**: 1 t of mass produces 9.80665 kN of weight
- **Site rule**: Take 1 t ≈ 10 kN, a 2% overestimate

## Worked example

One tonne-force is 9.80665 kN, 1000 kgf or 2204.62 lbf. A sling rated 50 kN is about 5.1 tf; with a safety factor of 6 each leg may lift 0.85 t.

## Questions

### Why are loads in kN rather than kg?

The kilogram measures mass and the kilonewton measures force, and structures respond to force. The same one-tonne machine weighs 9.8 kN on Earth and 1.6 kN on the Moon. A code live load of 2.0 kN/m² is a force, about 204 kg/m² of mass — which is where the “200 kg per square metre” floor label comes from.

### How do wire rope tonnages convert to kN?

Multiply by 9.80665. A rope rated 10 t has a breaking force near 98 kN; divide by the safety factor for working load — 6 for lifting, 14 for man-riding. Check whether the maker quotes breaking force or working load, because they differ sixfold and getting it wrong kills people.

### How heavy is 1 kN really?

About 102 kg — one adult, or two bags of cement. On site, allow roughly 1 kN per 100 kg: a 6 m length of 25 mm bar is 23 kg or 0.23 kN, and a 1 m² plate 10 mm thick is 78.5 kg or 0.77 kN.

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