Ounces-force to Kilonewtons (ozf to kN)

1 ounce-force equals 0.000278013851 kilonewtons (rounded).

1 ounce-force = 0.000278013851 kilonewtons

How to convert ounces-force to kilonewtons

To convert ounces-force to kilonewtons, multiply the number of ounces-force by 0.000278013851. The factor is rounded to 10 significant digits. To go the other way, multiply kilonewtons by 3,596.94309 (rounded).

kilonewtons = ounces-force × 0.000278013851

Example: 10 ounces-force = 0.00278013851 kilonewtons.

About these units

Ounce-force (ozf)

US & ImperialCurrent unit

One sixteenth of a pound-force (0.278 N).

Defined as a sixteenth of a pound-force, the ounce-force is a small US customary unit of force. The pound-force is 0.45359237 kg times standard gravity of 9.80665 m/s2, which gives 4.4482216 N, so the ounce-force comes to about 0.2780139 N. NIST lists the same factor, and it is the figure used here.

The name borrows from the avoirdupois ounce, so the unit measures the weight of that much mass under standard gravity rather than a separate invented quantity. Twelve ounces-force is three quarters of a pound-force, about 3.34 N, and sixteen make a pound-force. NIST advises against using such non-SI units in its own publications, and the metric equivalent for light forces is the millinewton, since one ounce-force is roughly 278 mN.

1 ounce-force = 0.278013851 newtons (approximately).

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

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)

Related conversions

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