This torque unit converter changes a torque between newton meters, pound-force feet (ft lbs), pound-force inches (in lbs), kilogram-force meters and kilogram-force centimeters. Formula: N·m = lbf·ft × 1.3558179483314; 1 lbf·ft = 12 lbf·in. All values go through N·m, the SI unit. 1 lbf·ft is about 1.35582 N·m, 1 lbf·in is about 0.112985 N·m, and 1 kgf·m is exactly 9.80665 N·m.
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How to use the torque unit converter
- Enter the torque, for example 120 from a wheel nut spec in N·m.
- In the torque unit converter, choose its unit and the target unit.
- Read the torque unit converter result: 120 N·m = 88.51 lbf·ft.
Workshop manuals often write “ft-lb” or “lb-ft” for pound-force feet; they mean the same unit. Always use the value and tightening sequence from the manufacturer.
What is torque?
Torque is a turning force: force multiplied by its distance from the axis. The SI unit is the newton meter (N·m); US wrenches and engines often use pound-feet (lbf·ft), and 1 lbf·ft is about 1.356 N·m.
Conversion formula
The torque unit converter stores every unit as a multiple of the base unit, the newton meter (N·m). To convert:
value in target unit = value × (factor of source unit ÷ factor of target unit)
where each factor is the size of the unit in newton meters.
Common torque conversions
| From | To | 1 unit equals |
|---|---|---|
| pound-force foot (lbf·ft) | newton meter (N·m) | 1.355818 N·m |
| newton meter (N·m) | pound-force inch (lbf·in) | 8.850746 lbf·in |
| kilogram-force centimeter (kgf·cm) | newton meter (N·m) | 0.0980665 N·m |
| pound-force inch (lbf·in) | newton meter (N·m) | 0.1129848 N·m |
Torque unit converter worked example
Convert 25 pound-force feet to newton meters:
- Factor of lbf·ft = 1.3558179 N·m
- Factor of N·m = 1 N·m
- 25 × 1.3558179 ÷ 1 = 33.89545 N·m
Torque unit reference
| Unit | Symbol | Group | Equals (N·m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newton Meter | N·m | SI | 1 |
| Newton Centimeter | N·cm | SI | 0.01 |
| Kilonewton Meter | kN·m | SI | 1,000 |
| Pound-Force Foot | lbf·ft | US/Imperial | 1.355817948 |
| Pound-Force Inch | lbf·in | US/Imperial | 0.112984829 |
| Kilogram-Force Meter | kgf·m | Metric | 9.80665 |
| Kilogram-Force Centimeter | kgf·cm | Metric | 0.0980665 |
| Ounce-Force Inch | ozf·in | US/Imperial | 0.007061551833 |
Reverse factors for each torque unit
The reference table gives each unit in newton meters. To go the other way, divide by that factor; the list below does the division for you.
- Newton Centimeter (N·cm), SI: 1 N·cm = 0.01 N·m, so 1 N·m = 100 N·cm.
- Kilonewton Meter (kN·m), SI: 1 kN·m = 1,000 N·m, so 1 N·m = 0.001 kN·m.
- Pound-Force Foot (lbf·ft), US/Imperial: 1 lbf·ft = 1.355818 N·m, so 1 N·m = 0.7375621 lbf·ft.
- Pound-Force Inch (lbf·in), US/Imperial: 1 lbf·in = 0.1129848 N·m, so 1 N·m = 8.850746 lbf·in.
- Kilogram-Force Meter (kgf·m), Metric: 1 kgf·m = 9.80665 N·m, so 1 N·m = 0.1019716 kgf·m.
- Kilogram-Force Centimeter (kgf·cm), Metric: 1 kgf·cm = 0.0980665 N·m, so 1 N·m = 10.19716 kgf·cm.
- Ounce-Force Inch (ozf·in), US/Imperial: 1 ozf·in = 0.007061552 N·m, so 1 N·m = 141.6119 ozf·in.
Nm to ft lbs chart
Divide N·m by 1.35582 for pound-force feet, or multiply by 8.85075 for pound-force inches:
| N·m | ft lbs (lbf·ft) | in lbs (lbf·in) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 3.69 | 44.3 |
| 10 | 7.38 | 88.5 |
| 25 | 18.44 | 221.3 |
| 50 | 36.88 | 442.5 |
| 80 | 59 | 708.1 |
| 100 | 73.76 | 885.1 |
| 120 | 88.51 | 1,062.1 |
| 150 | 110.63 | 1,327.6 |
| 200 | 147.51 | 1,770.1 |
For ft lbs to Nm, multiply by 1.35582: 100 lbf·ft is 135.58 N·m.
Small fasteners: inch-pounds to N·m
Small screws, bike parts and electrical terminals are often specified in inch-pounds. For in lbs to Nm, multiply by 0.112985:
| in lbs | N·m | kgf·cm |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 0.565 | 5.76 |
| 10 | 1.13 | 11.52 |
| 20 | 2.26 | 23.04 |
| 30 | 3.39 | 34.56 |
| 50 | 5.649 | 57.61 |
| 100 | 11.298 | 115.21 |
Torque and engine power are linked: horsepower = lbf·ft × rpm ÷ 5,252. The horsepower calculator does this from torque and rpm.
kgf·m in older manuals
Many Japanese and European service manuals give torque in kgf·m or kgf·cm. One kgf·m is exactly 9.80665 N·m. A wheel nut spec of 14 kgf·m becomes about 137.3 N·m in the torque unit converter, or about 101 ft·lb. Small fastener specs such as 25 kgf·cm work out to 2.45 N·m, or roughly 21.7 in·lb.
Watch the “f”. kgf·m means kilogram-force times meters; the force part matters. Some manuals drop the f and write kg·m, but they mean the same thing. Mass times distance would not be a torque at all.
Wrench accuracy is also worth knowing. Click-type wrenches calibrated to ISO 6789 are allowed a tolerance of about ±4% for most sizes, so converting 101.26 ft·lb to five significant figures adds nothing. Round to what the wrench can set. Thread condition matters more than the last decimal: a spec for dry threads applied to oiled threads can stretch the bolt much further, so follow the manual’s note on lubrication when using the torque unit converter result.
Related converters and calculators
For engines, force and rotation:
- Horsepower calculator: from torque and rpm
- Force converter: N and lbf
- Power unit converter: kW and hp
- Moment of inertia converter: kg·m²
- Angular velocity converter: rpm and rad/s
Sources
NIST Special Publication 811, Appendix B; BIPM: SI Brochure.
Questions about this calculator
What is the SI unit of torque?
The newton meter (N·m): a force of one newton acting at one meter from the axis.
How do I convert Nm to ft lbs?
Divide by 1.35582, or multiply by 0.737562. For example, 200 N·m = 147.51 lbf·ft.
How do I convert ft lbs to Nm?
Multiply by 1.35582. For example, 80 lbf·ft = 108.47 N·m.
How do I convert in lbs to Nm?
Multiply by 0.112985. For example, 40 lbf·in = 4.52 N·m.
Are ft-lb and lb-ft the same?
For torque, yes: both mean pound-force feet. Some engineers reserve ft·lbf for energy, which has the same dimensions.
How many inch-pounds are in a foot-pound?
Exactly 12, because a foot is 12 inches.
Check the assumptions and units before relying on a result. Financial, tax and health estimates do not replace advice for your individual circumstances.
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