Surface Tension Converter
Convert surface tension between N/m, mN/m, dyn/cm, gf/cm, lbf/in and lbf/ft.
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Result
Surface Tension units
Every unit below converts to every other one in the calculator. Values are relative to the base unit, the newton per meter (N/m).
| Unit | Symbol | System | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newton per meter | N/m | SI | Base unit |
| Millinewton per meter | mN/m | SI | = 0.001 N/m |
| Dyne per centimeter | dyn/cm | CGS | = 0.001 N/m |
| Gram-force per centimeter | gf/cm | metric | = 0.980665 N/m |
| Pound-force per inch | lbf/in | US customary | ≈ 175.1268352 N/m |
| Pound-force per foot | lbf/ft | US customary | ≈ 14.59390294 N/m |
Newton per meter quick reference
| Newton per meter | Millinewton per meter | Dyne per centimeter | Pound-force per inch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 N/m | = 1000 mN/m | = 1000 dyn/cm | ≈ 0.005710147155 lbf/in |
| 10 N/m | = 10000 mN/m | = 10000 dyn/cm | ≈ 0.05710147155 lbf/in |
| 100 N/m | = 100000 mN/m | = 100000 dyn/cm | ≈ 0.5710147155 lbf/in |
| 1000 N/m | = 1000000 mN/m | = 1000000 dyn/cm | ≈ 5.710147155 lbf/in |
Among the 6 surface tension units on this page, the smallest is the millinewton per meter (mN/m) and the largest is the pound-force per inch (lbf/in).
More surface tension conversions
About surface tension units
Surface tension is the force per unit length along a liquid surface, which also equals the energy needed to create a unit area of new surface. Its SI unit is the newton per meter (N/m). Water at 20 °C is about 72.8 mN/m.
One dyn/cm is exactly 1 mN/m, so values in the two units are identical. One gf/cm is exactly 0.980665 N/m, and one lbf/in is about 175.13 N/m. The same units describe the surface energy of solids, such as the "dyne level" of treated plastic film.
Frequently asked questions
- Is dyn/cm the same as mN/m?
- Yes. One dyne per centimeter is exactly one millinewton per meter, so water at about 72.8 mN/m is also about 72.8 dyn/cm.
- What is a dyne level?
- The surface energy of a plastic, film or coating in dyn/cm, usually checked with test inks or pens. A higher dyne level means inks, coatings and adhesives wet the surface more easily.
- How many millinewtons per meter are in one newton per meter?
- One newton per meter = 1000 mN/m (millinewtons per meter).
- How many dynes per centimeter are in one newton per meter?
- One newton per meter = 1000 dyn/cm (dynes per centimeter).
- How many pounds-force per inch are in one newton per meter?
- One newton per meter ≈ 0.005710147155 lbf/in (pounds-force per inch).