Torque Converter
Convert between newton-meters, pound-force feet, pound-force inches, and kilogram-force meters.
How torque conversion works
Torque is a rotational force, measured as force applied at a distance from a pivot point — which is why its units combine a force unit (newtons, pound-force) with a length unit (meters, feet, inches). Every unit here converts through the newton-meter, the SI unit of torque.
Common conversions
- 1 lbf·ft ≈ 1.356 N·m
- 1 lbf·ft = 12 lbf·in
- Car engine specifications commonly list torque in lb-ft (US) or N·m (most other countries)
How the numbers are produced
The input is multiplied by its unit's factor to get newton-meters, then divided by the target unit's factor. The factors are 1.3558179483314003 N·m per lbf·ft, 0.1129848290276167 per lbf·in and 9.80665 per kgf·m. Results appear as you type, rounded to six decimals, with digit grouping set by your browser's locale. The starting setup converts 100 lbf·ft to N·m.
Worked examples
- 100 lbf·ft = 135.581795 N·m (the default).
- 250 N·m = 184.390537 lbf·ft.
- 90 lbf·in = 10.168635 N·m, and the same 90 lbf·in is exactly 7.5 lbf·ft because there are 12 inches in a foot.
- 1 kgf·m = 9.80665 N·m, and 1 N·m = 0.101972 kgf·m.
- 50 lbf·ft = 6.912748 kgf·m.
Notes and limits
An empty box gives "Enter a value to convert" and non-numeric text gives "Please enter a valid number". Negative values are converted as typed. Converting a unit to itself returns the same number. Only these four torque units are included; there are no ounce-force inches and no conversion to or from power, so rotational speed is not involved.
More conversions and a unit slip
25 N·m is 18.439054 lbf·ft, 200 lbf·ft is 27.650991 kgf·m, and 7 kgf·m is 607.573164 lbf·in. A value of 0 converts to 0.
Check which unit a specification uses. A bolt rated for 25 N·m that is tightened to 25 lbf·ft is tightened about 36% too hard, because one lbf·ft is 1.3558 N·m.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a car spec sheet list both horsepower and torque?
They measure different things: torque is the rotational force an engine produces, while horsepower is a rate — how quickly that force can do work (power = torque × rotational speed). A high-torque, low-revving engine and a lower-torque, high-revving engine can produce the same horsepower.
Is torque the same thing as energy?
They share the same base units (a newton-meter is used for both), but they're conceptually different: energy is a scalar quantity of work done, while torque is a rotational force that may or may not result in any actual rotation or work being done.
How do I convert a 90 lb-in specification to lb-ft?
Choose pound-force inches as the source and pound-force feet as the target. 90 lbf·in comes out as 7.5 lbf·ft, since the tool divides by 12 in effect.
Is a pound-force foot the same as a foot-pound?
As a torque unit, lbf·ft is what this page converts. Foot-pounds as a unit of energy are in the Energy Converter, which is a separate tool with its own factor.
What is a kilogram-force meter?
It is the torque from a one-kilogram-force pushing at a distance of one meter, and the tool uses 9.80665 N·m for it. It is still seen in older specifications.