The exact equivalent
One kilogram-force is exactly 9.80665 newtons: the weight of one kilogram under standard gravity. So a newton is 0.10197 kgf.
1 N = 0.10197162 kgf
1 kgf = 9.80665 N
How to convert it by hand
Just multiply by the conversion factor. To go from newtons to kilograms-force, multiply by 0.101972; to come back, divide by that same number or multiply by 9.80665.
For example: 25 N × 0.101972 = 2.5493 kgf.
A tip that saves mistakes: check the result goes the way you expect. If kilograms-force are a smaller unit than newtons, the number has to come out bigger. If it comes out smaller, you divided when you should have multiplied.
Conversion table
| N | kgf |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.102 |
| 2 | 0.2039 |
| 5 | 0.5099 |
| 10 | 1.0197 |
| 20 | 2.0394 |
| 50 | 5.0986 |
| 100 | 10.1972 |
Reference points to picture it
| Reference | Equals |
|---|---|
| 1 kgf | 9.807 N |
| The weight of a 70 kg person | 686.5 N = 70 kgf |
| A 100 N force | 10.2 kgf |
| 1 N | 0.102 kgf |
The trick for doing it in your head
Divide by 10 for a close answer, or by 9.81 for a precise one. For 500 N: about 51 kgf.
It is fine for getting by without a phone, but not for anything that depends on precision: in a recipe, on a building site or in a dose, use the exact conversion.