Torque Converter
Convert newton-meters, foot-pounds, inch-pounds, and kgf·m.
What is Torque?
Torque is force applied at a distance from a pivot, so its units are a force unit times a length unit: N·m in SI, lb·ft or lb·in on a wrench, kgf·m in older metric work. Because it is force times distance, the conversion factor is the product of a force factor and a length factor.
How it works
Each unit is expressed as a factor to N·m — 1 lb·ft is 4.4482216152605 N × 0.3048 m = 1.3558179483314004 N·m — and the conversion divides those factors. All values are run through the same base unit, so a multi-step chain gives the same answer as a direct one.
- Enter your input. Type or paste your input into the field above — the tool responds instantly.
- Review the result. Output updates live as you type. Everything runs entirely in your browser.
- Copy or download. Use the Copy button to grab the result, or Download to save it as a file.
Examples
Wrench settings
Enter 100 lb·ft and read 135.582 N·m — the number a metric torque wrench needs for the same specification.
Common mistakes
Torque is not energy
N·m of torque and joules look identical dimensionally but are different quantities: torque is force times a perpendicular distance, work is force along the direction of motion. Convert torque to torque only.
lb·ft vs lb·in
Wrench scales differ by a factor of 12 between foot-pounds and inch-pounds. Reading the wrong one makes a torque value twelve times out.
Frequently asked questions
Why is foot-pound written lb·ft here?
To keep it distinct from the foot-pound force of energy. Both are written lb·ft in this converter's force-moment sense, and the unit notes on the page spell out which is which.
Can I convert torque to horsepower?
Only with a rotational speed: power equals torque times angular velocity. A torque alone does not determine power, so this page does not offer that conversion.