Convert Poundal to Kilonewtons
Convert Poundal (pdl) to Kilonewtons (kN) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
kN = pdl × 0.0001382549544
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 Kilonewtons
A kilonewton (kN) is 1,000 N - the standard force unit for structural engineering outside North America. A 70 kg person exerts ~0.687 kN; a heavy goods vehicle axle 100-130 kN; a loaded Boeing 747 on its landing gear ~2,800 kN. Eurocode and BS EN structural codes express beam loads and foundation reactions in kN and bending moments in kN·m. Universal testing machines for materials testing are rated 10-10,000 kN. Prestressed concrete tendons are stressed to 100-250 kN each. 1 kN = 1,000 N = 224.81 lbf = 101.97 kgf.
Quick Reference Table
| Poundal (pdl) | Kilonewtons (kN) |
|---|---|
| 1 pdl | 0.000138255 kN |
| 2 pdl | 0.00027651 kN |
| 5 pdl | 0.000691275 kN |
| 10 pdl | 0.00138255 kN |
| 25 pdl | 0.00345637 kN |
| 50 pdl | 0.00691275 kN |
| 100 pdl | 0.0138255 kN |