Torque Converter – Nm, ft-lb, in-lb & kgf-cm

Convert newton-meters, foot-pounds and inch-pounds

Torque describes the turning effect produced when force acts at a perpendicular distance from an axis. This converter changes the unit attached to a torque value; it does not change the underlying turning effect. Enter a specification in newton-meters, pound-force feet, pound-force inches, kilogram-force units or smaller metric units and the selected target updates immediately. Either value field can be edited, so the same workspace handles both directions.

Newton-meters to pound-force feet

One pound-force foot equals approximately 1.3558179483314 newton-meters, so one newton-meter equals approximately 0.737562149277 pound-force feet. For example, 100 N·m is approximately 73.7562 lbf·ft. Use the dedicated Nm to ft-lbs converter for its conversion table and worked example, or open the reverse ft-lbs to Nm converter.

Why the result says lbf·ft

Automotive manuals and searches often write torque as ft-lb or foot-pounds. The more explicit symbol lbf·ft means pound-force multiplied by foot and helps distinguish torque from the foot-pound unit of energy. This tool accepts the common wording in route names while labelling results with the force-distance meaning. Always confirm whether a source describes torque, work or energy before applying a number.

Inch-pounds, foot-pounds and smaller fasteners

One pound-force foot equals exactly 12 pound-force inches because one foot contains exactly 12 inches. Inch-pound specifications commonly appear for smaller fasteners and torque screwdrivers. Dividing lbf·in by 12 gives lbf·ft; multiplying lbf·ft by 12 gives lbf·in. One ounce-force inch is one sixteenth of a pound-force inch under the avoirdupois force relationship used here.

Convert newton-meters to pound-force inches

One newton-meter is approximately 8.85074579133 pound-force inches. That makes 10 N·m approximately 88.5075 lbf·in. Use Nm to in-lbs when a tool or service specification is expressed in inch-pounds. The numeric value is larger because an inch is a shorter moment arm than a foot, not because the torque itself increased.

Kilogram-force torque units

Kilogram-force is a gravitational force unit rather than the SI kilogram unit of mass. This converter uses standard gravity, exactly 9.80665 meters per second squared. Therefore 1 kgf·m equals 9.80665 N·m and 1 kgf·cm equals 0.0980665 N·m. The unit labels include “force” so a mass value is not silently treated as torque.

Metric prefixes remain linear

One kilonewton-meter equals exactly 1,000 newton-meters. One newton-meter equals 100 newton-centimeters or 1,000 newton-millimeters. These prefix conversions change only the scale of the unit. They are useful when moving between large structural moments, general mechanical specifications and small instrument or fastener values.

Torque is not power or energy

Torque alone does not say how quickly a shaft turns or how much power a motor delivers. Rotational power also depends on angular speed, so two machines with the same torque can have different power ratings. Use the power converter to change watts, kilowatts or horsepower only when a source already provides a power value. Although a newton-meter has the same base dimensions as a joule, torque and energy describe different physical quantities and should not be substituted by unit name alone.

Practical limits and safe use

The calculations use a shared N·m base and retain the stored factors before display rounding. A converted setting is only as reliable as the original specification, tool calibration and unit label. For safety-critical fasteners, wheels, pressure systems or structural work, follow the manufacturer’s procedure, tightening sequence, lubrication assumptions and calibrated-tool guidance. Do not infer a recommended torque from the converter. Values are calculated locally in the browser and are not submitted with the conversion.