My car manual lists engine torque in kgf·m. How do I convert to kilonewton-metres (kN·m) for use in a modern powertrain simulation?

Multiply kgf·m by 0.00980665. For 20 kgf·m: 20 × 0.00980665 ≈ 0.196 kN·m. Enter 0.196 kN·m into the simulation's torque field.

A legacy hydraulic press is rated at 5,000 kgf. I need to compare this against a modern process spec of 45 kN. Does it fit?

5,000 × 0.00980665 ≈ 49.03 kN. The press capacity (49 kN) exceeds the 45 kN process requirement, giving an 8% safety margin. Check fatigue ratings before relying on that margin long-term.

Why do older vehicle specs still use kgf instead of kN?

Kilogram-force was intuitive and consistent with mass units that engineers already used. Switching to SI (kN) required retraining and re-publishing standards. Japanese, Korean, and some European manufacturers kept kgf in product documentation long after SI adoption.

A handrail requires 1.5 kN horizontal load capacity. My site has an older spec stating 150 kgf. Are they equivalent?

150 kgf × 0.00980665 ≈ 1.47 kN. The older spec falls 2% short of the modern 1.5 kN requirement. In a safety-critical installation, you would need to upgrade or formally accept the 2% shortfall through engineering sign-off.

Kilogram-Force (kgf) to Kilonewtons (kN) Converter

Enter a value to instantly convert between force units.

From

Precision4 dp

1 Kilogram-Force = 0.0098 Kilonewton

Key Formulas

Newton → Pound-Force

lbf = N × 0.224809

Pound-Force → Newton

N = lbf × 4.44822

Kilogram-Force → Newton

N = kgf × 9.80665

Newton → Kilogram-Force

kgf = N × 0.101972

Formula

kN = kgf × 0.00980665

Legacy industrial equipment — presses, cranes, hydraulic cylinders installed before SI standardization — often has force ratings in kgf stamped on the nameplate. When these machines are integrated into modern production lines governed by SI-based engineering codes, or when a safety audit requires comparing a machine's kgf capacity to a metric load calculation, converting to kilonewtons is the standard step. The factor 0.00980665 comes from standard gravity divided by 1,000.

Source: NIST SP 811, Table B.8

Last reviewed: 2026-06-11 · see our methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Real-World Examples

One metric ton-force (1,000 kgf) — approximately 9.81 kN, the key reference when comparing heavy-lift crane ratings to structural code load limits.

1000 kgf = 9.807 kN

A 500 kgf chain hoist capacity — 4.9 kN, verified against the structural engineer's 5 kN beam load limit for the installation point.

500 kgf = 4.903 kN

A 100 kgf handrail load from an older building standard — expressed as 0.981 kN for comparison with a modern code requiring 1.0 kN per post.

100 kgf = 0.981 kN

A 10-tonne-force hydraulic press (10,000 kgf) — the kN capacity needed to match against a structural slab's 100 kN load bearing specification.

10000 kgf = 98.07 kN

newtons to lbf lbf to newtons kgf to newtons newtons to kgf kn to newtons newtons to kn

Kilogram-Force (kgf) to Kilonewtons (kN) Converter

Key Formulas

Formula

Frequently Asked Questions

Real-World Examples

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