Kilonewtons to Tons-force (long) (kN to tonf (UK))

1 kilonewton equals 0.1003611353 tons-force (long) (rounded).

How to convert kilonewtons to tons-force (long)

To convert kilonewtons to tons-force (long), multiply the number of kilonewtons by 0.1003611353. The factor is rounded to 10 significant digits. To go the other way, multiply tons-force (long) by 9.964016418 (rounded).

tons-force (long) = kilonewtons × 0.1003611353

Example: 10 kilonewtons = 1.003611353 tons-force (long).

About these units

Kilonewton (kN)

Metric (SI)Current unit

1,000 newtons. Used for structural loads, climbing gear ratings and engine thrust.

Kilonewtons exist because the newton is small. The prefix kilo- dates to the 1795 French decimal system and means one thousand, and attaching it to the newton, which the CGPM named in 1948, gives a unit sized for the loads that engineers actually handle. A kilonewton is 1,000 newtons.

One kilonewton is the weight of roughly 102 kilograms at standard gravity, or about 510 of the 200-gram apples that make a handy picture of a single newton. Structural engineers quote building and bridge loads this way, and rocket and jet engine makers quote thrust in kilonewtons and meganewtons. Each Space Shuttle solid rocket booster produced 3,300,000 pounds-force, or 14.7 meganewtons, which is 14,700 kilonewtons. Strengths of ropes, anchors and climbing hardware are also commonly given in the unit.

1 kilonewton = 1,000 newtons (exactly).

Sources: Wikipedia: Newton (unit); Wikipedia: Metric prefix; Wikipedia: Pound (force)

Ton-force (long) (tonf (UK))

Imperial (British)Traditional unit (still used in some regions)

2,240 pounds-force (9.964 kN), the weight of a long ton.

Weighing a British long ton of mass under standard gravity gives this unit: 2,240 pounds-force, or about 9.964 kN (the more exact figure is 9.96401641818352 kN). It belongs to the imperial family and, per Wikipedia, equals roughly 1,016.05 kilograms-force, which makes it a heavy unit suited to large structures, ships and machinery described in British units.

Confusion with its neighbours is the main hazard. The short ton-force of 2,000 lbf, common in the United States, is about 8.896 kN, so one long ton-force equals 1.12 of them. The metric tonne-force, 1,000 kgf, is 9.80665 kN, a little smaller, since the long ton-force is about 1.016 of it. NIST lists only the 2,000 lbf version, a hint of how rarely the long form is now met.

1 ton-force (long) = 9,964.016418 newtons (approximately).

Sources: Wikipedia: Ton-force; Wikipedia: Pound (force); NIST SP 811, Appendix B.8

Related conversions

See all force units.