Newton symbol

A capital N, the SI unit symbol for the newton.

ScientificMathematicalEngineering & technicalStandard profile

Meanings

N is the SI symbol for the newton, the derived unit of force — the force that accelerates one kilogram at one metre per second squared.

Officially standardisedVerified fact
Denotes the newton, the SI derived unit of force.
Contexts: Mathematics
Common modern usageVerified fact
Is defined as one kilogram metre per second squared, which makes it the unit that links mass to acceleration in Newton's second law.
Contexts: Mathematics
Common modern usageVerified fact
Appears as newton metres (N⋅m) on torque specifications for bolts and fasteners, which is where a non-specialist most often meets it.
Contexts: Electrical equipment

The capital Latin letter N: two vertical strokes joined by a diagonal running from the top of the left stroke down to the foot of the right one.

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is defined by a current official standard, but multiple independent sources agree.
Historical originModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but multiple independent sources agree, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useHigh confidence: High confidence because the current use is defined by a current official standard, but multiple independent sources agree.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but multiple independent sources agree.

SI base units
Bureau International des Poids et Mesures · retrieved 2026-07-31
The seven base units and their symbols as published by the defining body. A summary page: the SI Brochure remains the full instrument.
SI derived unit
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-07-31
Tertiary reference. Used for origin narrative and for units the SI does not define, never for an official-definition claim.
Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI), NIST Special Publication 811
National Institute of Standards and Technology · retrieved 2026-07-31
A national metrology institute's guidance on applying the SI, including symbol formatting. Authoritative for usage rules in the United States; it interprets the SI rather than defining it.
The International System of Units (SI), 9th edition
Bureau International des Poids et Mesures · retrieved 2026-07-31
The defining document for SI unit names and symbols, including the capitalisation and spacing rules. It defines units; it says nothing about how a symbol is encoded in a character set, and nothing about non-SI units except where it lists those accepted for use with the SI.

Last reviewed 2026-08-01

Meanings

N is the SI symbol for the newton, the derived unit of force — the force that accelerates one kilogram at one metre per second squared.

Officially standardisedVerified fact

Denotes the newton, the SI derived unit of force.

Common modern usageVerified fact

Is defined as one kilogram metre per second squared, which makes it the unit that links mass to acceleration in Newton's second law.

Common modern usageVerified fact

Appears as newton metres (N⋅m) on torque specifications for bolts and fasteners, which is where a non-specialist most often meets it.

Confidence

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is defined by a current official standard, but multiple independent sources agree.
Historical originModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but multiple independent sources agree, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useHigh confidence: High confidence because the current use is defined by a current official standard, but multiple independent sources agree.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but multiple independent sources agree.

Sources

SI base units
Bureau International des Poids et Mesures · retrieved 2026-07-31
The seven base units and their symbols as published by the defining body. A summary page: the SI Brochure remains the full instrument.
SI derived unit
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-07-31
Tertiary reference. Used for origin narrative and for units the SI does not define, never for an official-definition claim.
Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI), NIST Special Publication 811
National Institute of Standards and Technology · retrieved 2026-07-31
A national metrology institute's guidance on applying the SI, including symbol formatting. Authoritative for usage rules in the United States; it interprets the SI rather than defining it.
The International System of Units (SI), 9th edition
Bureau International des Poids et Mesures · retrieved 2026-07-31
The defining document for SI unit names and symbols, including the capitalisation and spacing rules. It defines units; it says nothing about how a symbol is encoded in a character set, and nothing about non-SI units except where it lists those accepted for use with the SI.

Last reviewed 2026-08-01