Pound-force to Kilogram-force Converter

A pound-force (lbf) is a unit of force equal to the gravitational force exerted by a mass of one pound under standard Earth gravity. It equals approximately 4.448 newtons and is one of the most common force units in imperial systems.

The pound-force developed from the traditional English pound weight and became standardized for force measurements in countries using imperial units. It provided a practical force unit based on familiar weight measurements, becoming essential in American engineering and industry.

Pound-force is extensively used in the United States for engineering calculations, mechanical specifications, and force measurements. It's standard for bolt torque specifications, mechanical system ratings, material testing, and general engineering applications in imperial systems.

A kilogram-force (kgf) is a unit of force equal to the gravitational force exerted by a mass of one kilogram under standard Earth gravity. It equals approximately 9.807 newtons and represents force in terms of familiar weight measurements.

The kilogram-force developed as a practical force unit based on the familiar concept of weight. It was widely used before the adoption of SI units, particularly in countries using the metric system, providing an intuitive way to express forces in terms of equivalent weights.

Kilogram-force is still used in some engineering applications, particularly in countries transitioning to SI units. It's found in some mechanical specifications, older engineering references, and applications where weight-equivalent forces are more intuitive than newtons.