Pound-force to Poundal 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 poundal (pdl) is a unit of force in the foot-pound-second (FPS) system, defined as the force required to accelerate a mass of one pound at a rate of one foot per second squared. It equals approximately 0.138 newtons.

The poundal was introduced in 1879 as part of the foot-pound-second system to provide a force unit based on fundamental physical principles rather than gravitational force. It was designed to be the imperial equivalent of the newton but never achieved widespread adoption.

Poundals are rarely used in modern applications, appearing mainly in historical engineering literature and some specialized physics contexts. They've been largely replaced by pound-force in practical applications and newtons in scientific work.