Newtons (N)
The newton is the SI unit of force, named after Isaac Newton.
Convert newtons to any force unit
1 newton = 0.2248089431 pounds-force
Quick facts
- Unit
- Newton (plural: newtons)
- Symbol
- N
- Measures
- Force
- System
- Metric (SI)
- Definition
- The force that accelerates 1 kg at 1 m/s² (1 kg·m/s²).
1 newton in other units
| Pounds-force | 0.2248089431 lbf |
| Kilograms-force | 0.1019716213 kgf |
| Kilonewtons | 0.001 kN |
| Dynes | 100,000 dyn |
| Kips | 0.000224808943 kip |
What is a newton?
The newton is the SI unit of force, named after Isaac Newton. One newton accelerates a one-kilogram mass by one meter per second every second. On Earth it is about the weight of a 102-gram apple.
Where the newton sits among force units
The newton is number 8 of 18 on our scale of force units, ordered from smallest to largest.
What newtons are used for
- Physics and engineering
- Rocket and jet engine thrust (kN)
- Spring and fastener ratings
- Climbing gear strength (kN)
Newtons in real life
- A medium apple weighs about 1 N
- An adult weighs about 700 N
- Climbing carabiners are rated at about 20–25 kN
One newton is about the weight of an apple, or about the weight of 102 paperclips, or about 10% of the weight of a liter of water.
Top newton conversions
Common amounts of newtons
- 0.1 N
- 0.2 N
- 0.3 N
- 0.4 N
- 0.5 N
- 0.6 N
- 0.7 N
- 0.8 N
- 0.9 N
- 1 N
- 1.5 N
- 2 N
- 2.5 N
- 3 N
- 3.5 N
- 4 N
- 4.5 N
- 5 N
- 6 N
- 7 N
- 7.5 N
- 8 N
- 9 N
- 10 N
- 11 N
- 12 N
- 13 N
- 14 N
- 15 N
- 16 N
- 17 N
- 18 N
- 19 N
- 20 N
- 21 N
- 22 N
- 23 N
- 24 N
- 25 N
- 26 N
- 27 N
- 28 N
- 29 N
- 30 N
- 31 N
- 32 N
- 33 N
- 34 N
- 35 N
- 36 N
- 37 N
- 38 N
- 39 N
- 40 N
- 41 N
- 42 N
- 43 N
- 44 N
- 45 N
- 46 N
- 47 N
- 48 N
- 49 N
- 50 N
- 51 N
- 52 N
- 53 N
- 54 N
- 55 N
- 56 N
- 57 N
- 58 N
- 59 N
- 60 N
- 61 N
- 62 N
- 63 N
- 64 N
- 65 N
- 66 N
- 67 N
- 68 N
- 69 N
- 70 N
- 71 N
- 72 N
- 73 N
- 74 N
- 75 N
- 76 N
- 77 N
- 78 N
- 79 N
- 80 N
- 81 N
- 82 N
- 83 N
- 84 N
- 85 N
- 86 N
- 87 N
- 88 N
- 89 N
- 90 N
- 91 N
- 92 N
- 93 N
- 94 N
- 95 N
- 96 N
- 97 N
- 98 N
- 99 N
- 100 N
- 110 N
- 120 N
- 130 N
- 140 N
- 150 N
- 160 N
- 170 N
- 180 N
- 190 N
- 200 N
- 210 N
- 220 N
- 230 N
- 240 N
- 250 N
- 260 N
- 270 N
- 280 N
- 290 N
- 300 N
- 310 N
- 320 N
- 330 N
- 340 N
- 350 N
- 360 N
- 370 N
- 380 N
- 390 N
- 400 N
- 410 N
- 420 N
- 430 N
- 440 N
- 450 N
- 460 N
- 470 N
- 480 N
- 490 N
- 500 N
- 600 N
- 700 N
- 800 N
- 900 N
- 1,000 N
- 1,200 N
- 1,500 N
- 2,000 N
- 2,500 N
- 3,000 N
- 4,000 N
- 5,000 N
- 10,000 N
Convert newtons to all 17 other units
Metric (SI)
Gravitational
Scientific
Convert to newtons
Frequently asked questions
What is a newton?
The newton is the SI unit of force, named after Isaac Newton.
How is the newton defined?
The force that accelerates 1 kg at 1 m/s² (1 kg·m/s²).
How many pounds-force are in a newton?
One newton equals 0.2248089431 pounds-force.
How many kilograms-force are in a newton?
One newton equals 0.1019716213 kilograms-force.
How many kilonewtons are in a newton?
One newton equals 0.001 kilonewtons.