Convert Poundal to Newtons

Convert Poundal (pdl) to Newtons (N) instantly and accurately.

Conversion Formula

N = pdl × 0.1382549544

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 Newtons

The newton (N) is the SI unit of force - the force to accelerate 1 kg at 1 m/s², defined as 1 N = 1 kg·m/s². Named after Sir Isaac Newton and adopted in 1960. One newton is the weight of a ~102 g apple. Everyday forces: gentle finger press ~1 N; handshake 150-200 N; human bite 500-700 N; car emergency braking 5,000-15,000 N; turbofan engine thrust ~300 kN; Boeing 747 lift at cruise ~2,800 kN. The newton is universally used in science and engineering worldwide. 1 N = 1 kg·m/s² = 0.22481 lbf.

Quick Reference Table

→ Full Force Converter