Poundal to Kilogram Force Conversion

Comparison Chart of Poundal to Kilogram Force units to understand their conversion accurately.


Please enter the value below for converison from Poundal to Kilogram Force units or vice versa.

Poundal (FPS Absolute Force Unit)

Introduction : A poundal is the force required to accelerate a one-pound mass at one foot per second squared. It is equal to approximately 0.138255 newtons and comes from the absolute FPS (foot-pound-second) system of units.

History & Origin : Created as part of the British Absolute FPS system, the poundal addressed the need for consistent force definitions based on Newton’s second law. It was used primarily in physics education and classical mechanics literature in the early 20th century.

Current Use : Now largely obsolete, poundals are occasionally used in physics textbooks and legacy academic documents. They offer insight into early mechanics frameworks and are referenced in educational settings focused on classical dynamics.

Kilogram-force (Gravitational Metric Unit)

Introduction : Kilogram-force is a unit that represents the force exerted by a mass of one kilogram under Earth’s gravity. It equals approximately 9.80665 newtons and was commonly used before SI units became standard.

History & Origin : Historically used in Europe and Asia, kilogram-force was especially common in industrial and mechanical engineering before the universal adoption of the SI system. It is closely related to the kilopond, with the terms often used interchangeably.

Current Use : Still encountered in hydraulic system ratings, brake system specifications, and strength testing equipment, kilogram-force is retained in many legacy technical manuals and informal engineering discussions where gravitational force is intuitive.

Conversion of Poundal to all other Units

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References

• NIST (US Government)
• Encyclopaedia Britannica