Convert Poundal to Decanewtons
Convert Poundal (pdl) to Decanewtons (daN) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
daN = pdl × 0.01382549544
About Poundal
The poundal (pdl) is the force unit of the foot-pound-second absolute system - the force to accelerate 1 pound at 1 ft/s² - approximately 0.1383 N. Introduced in 1877 by Thomson and Tait as the FPS analogue of the CGS dyne (1 dyn = 1 g·cm/s²; 1 pdl = 1 lb·ft/s²). The poundal is distinct from pound-force: since standard gravity = 32.174 ft/s², 1 lbf = 32.174 pdl. It survives in older British engineering texts and early 20th-century thermodynamics literature, but is otherwise obsolete. 1 pdl = 0.138254954376 N = 1/32.174 lbf.
About Decanewtons
One decanewton (daN) is exactly 10 N. It is industrially significant in Europe because 1 daN ≈ 1 kgf (9.80665 N, a 2% difference), allowing gauges calibrated in daN to give readings that approximate kilogram-weight while remaining SI-compliant. ISO 376 and EN 13791 load-cell calibration standards use daN. ECE Regulation 16 (vehicle seat belts) and EN ISO 13857 (machinery safety distances) specify forces in daN. Continental European spring gauges and tensile testers routinely carry daN scales. 1 daN = 10 N = 1.01972 kgf = 2.24809 lbf.
Quick Reference Table
| Poundal (pdl) | Decanewtons (daN) |
|---|---|
| 1 pdl | 0.0138255 daN |
| 2 pdl | 0.027651 daN |
| 5 pdl | 0.0691275 daN |
| 10 pdl | 0.138255 daN |
| 25 pdl | 0.345637 daN |
| 50 pdl | 0.691275 daN |
| 100 pdl | 1.38255 daN |