What is a millinewton?

A millinewton (mN) is an SI unit of force equal to one thousandth of a newton, representing the force needed to accelerate a 1 gram mass by 1 meter per second squared.

A poundal (pdl) is a force unit in the foot–pound–second system, defined as the force required to accelerate one avoirdupois pound at one foot per second squared.

Why convert millinewtons to poundals?

Conversions are helpful when working between SI and FPS systems, especially for classical mechanics problems or interpreting legacy engineering and ballistics information expressed with FPS units.

How to Convert from Millinewton [mN] to Poundal [pdl]

Learn how to convert force measurements from millinewtons to poundals easily and accurately. Understand the uses, key features, and common applications of this unit conversion for both SI and FPS systems.

Millinewton [mN]

Poundal [pdl]

Please check your input. It must be a valid numeric value.

Millinewton [mN] to Poundal [pdl] Conversion Table

Millinewton [mN]	Poundal [pdl]

Custom Unit Conversion Table Generator – Instant Printable Conversion Tables

Start Value

Enter the starting number (positive decimal or integer ≥ 0). Example: 0.1, 1, 5.

End Value

Enter the ending number (positive decimal or integer > Start Value). Example: 10, 50, 100.

Interval

Enter the step size (positive decimal > 0 and < End Value – Start Value). Example: 1.0, 2.5.

Millinewton [mN] to Poundal [pdl] Conversion Table
Millinewton [mN]	Poundal [pdl]

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What Is This Tool?

This unit converter transforms force values from millinewtons (mN), an SI unit, to poundals (pdl), which belong to the foot–pound–second (FPS) system. It helps bridge the gap between metric and legacy force measurement systems for various engineering and educational purposes.

How to Use This Tool?

Enter the force value in millinewtons (mN) you want to convert.
Select 'millinewton [mN]' as the input unit and 'poundal [pdl]' as the output unit.
Click the convert button to obtain the equivalent value in poundals.
Review conversion results and use them in your calculations or reports.

Key Features

Converts force values from millinewton (mN) to poundal (pdl).
Supports conversions between SI and FPS unit systems.
Useful for classical mechanics and legacy engineering data interpretation.
Provides clear examples illustrating conversion steps.

Examples

Convert 10 millinewtons: 10 mN results in approximately 0.07233 pdl.
Convert 100 millinewtons: 100 mN equals about 0.7233 pdl.

Common Use Cases

Calibrating small force sensors and tactile devices in robotics and prosthetics.
Evaluating actuation forces of micro-actuators or MEMS components.
Performing small-force calculations in classical mechanics and legacy engineering data using FPS units.
Interpreting archival technical documents or ballistics data expressed with poundals.

Tips & Best Practices

Confirm the unit system appropriate for your work—millinewton for SI and poundal for FPS systems.
Use this converter to simplify transitions between contemporary and legacy measurement units.
Consider the scale and context since millinewtons suit very small forces, whereas poundals typically apply to larger force systems.
Cross-check conversions when high precision is critical, due to rounding inherent in unit equivalencies.

Limitations

Poundal is not an SI unit and is less common in modern practice.
Approximate equivalences between newtons and poundals may cause rounding errors in precise measurements.
Millinewtons are intended for very small force measurements, while poundals relate to different scale force systems, necessitating careful unit selection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a millinewton?: A millinewton (mN) is an SI unit of force equal to one thousandth of a newton, representing the force needed to accelerate a 1 gram mass by 1 meter per second squared.
What is a poundal?: A poundal (pdl) is a force unit in the foot–pound–second system, defined as the force required to accelerate one avoirdupois pound at one foot per second squared.
Why convert millinewtons to poundals?: Conversions are helpful when working between SI and FPS systems, especially for classical mechanics problems or interpreting legacy engineering and ballistics information expressed with FPS units.

Key Terminology

Millinewton [mN]: An SI unit of force equal to one-thousandth of a newton, used for measuring very small forces.
Poundal [pdl]: A unit of force in the foot–pound–second system equivalent to the force needed to accelerate one avoirdupois pound at one foot per second squared.
Force: A physical quantity that causes an object with mass to accelerate.

Quick Knowledge Check

Which unit belongs to the SI system?

Poundal

Millinewton

Foot-pound-second

What does one millinewton represent?

Force to accelerate 1 kg by 1 m/s²

Force to accelerate 1 g by 1 m/s²

Force to accelerate 1 lb by 1 ft/s²

Why might you use the millinewton to poundal conversion?

To calculate large-scale forces in newtons

To interpret classical mechanics problems in FPS units

To convert between meters and feet

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