Torque Converter - N·m, ft·lbf, in·lbf & More

How to use this tool

Enter a torque value. Type the value in either the From or To field. The last field you edit becomes the source for the conversion.
Choose the units. Select the unit for each field. Results update immediately, and the all-units panel lists the equivalent value in every supported SI, Imperial, and Metric unit.
Read, swap, or copy a result. Use the swap button to reverse the pair, or copy the main result or any row in the all-units panel.

Common torque conversions

Value	Equivalent
1 N·m	0.7376 ft·lbf = 8.8507 in·lbf
1 ft·lbf	1.3558 N·m = 12 in·lbf
1 in·lbf	0.1130 N·m
1 kgf·m	9.8067 N·m = 7.233 ft·lbf
1 N·cm	0.01 N·m ≈ 0.0885 in·lbf
1 gf·cm	9.80665 × 10⁻⁵ N·m
100 N·m	73.76 ft·lbf

How torque conversion works

All conversions pass through Newton-metres (N·m), the SI unit of torque. Torque is the rotational equivalent of linear force: τ = r × F, where r is the lever arm length.

Note: 1 ft·lbf = 12 in·lbf exactly. Inch-ounces (in·ozf) are 1/16 of inch-pounds.

The live all-units panel shows the equivalent value in every supported SI, Imperial, and Metric unit. It follows whichever value you edited last, so entering a value in the To field gives the same immediate set of equivalents as entering it in From. Each row can be copied individually.

What is torque?

Torque (τ) is a rotational force - the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis. The formula is:

τ = r × F

Where r is the length of the lever arm (in metres) and F is the applied force (in Newtons). A 1-metre wrench with 100 N of force applied at right angles to the handle produces exactly 100 N·m of torque. A 0.5-metre wrench with the same force produces 50 N·m.

Torque differs from power. Power (watts) = torque (N·m) × angular velocity (rad/s). An engine can produce high torque at low RPM or high power at high RPM - these are related but distinct quantities.

Automotive context

Engine specifications list both peak torque and peak power, which typically occur at different RPMs:

Diesel engines: high torque at low RPM (1,500–2,500 RPM). This makes them well-suited for towing, hauling, and acceleration from low speeds.
Petrol / gasoline engines: peak power typically at higher RPM (5,000–7,000 RPM). The power band is narrower; requires more gear changes to stay in the optimal range.
Electric motors: maximum torque available from 0 RPM. This is why electric vehicles feel extremely responsive from a standing start.

Torque wrench accuracy note

Click-type torque wrenches (the most common type) have a tolerance of approximately ±4% at full scale according to ISO 6789. In practice, this means:

A setting of 80 N·m may apply anywhere from 76.8 N·m to 83.2 N·m.
Always calibrate in the direction of use (clockwise for right-hand threads).
Store wrenches at their minimum torque setting to preserve the spring.
Re-calibrate after any impact or drop.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert newton-metres to foot-pounds?

One foot-pound force (ft·lbf) equals 1.3558179483314 newton-metres (N·m). Divide an N·m value by 1.3558179483314 to get ft·lbf; for example, 1 N·m is approximately 0.737562 ft·lbf.

How many inch-pounds are in one foot-pound?

One foot-pound force equals exactly 12 inch-pounds force (in·lbf), because a foot is exactly 12 inches and both units use pound-force.

What is a newton-centimetre, and is it the same as cN·m?

A newton-centimetre (N·cm) is one hundredth of a newton-metre: 1 N·cm = 0.01 N·m. It is numerically identical to a centinewton-metre (cN·m), so the converter lists it once under the N·cm name.

How does gram-force centimetre convert to newton-metres?

One gram-force centimetre (gf·cm) equals exactly 9.80665e-5 N·m when standard gravity is 9.80665 m/s². Thus 1 N·m is about 10,197.162 gf·cm.

What torque units appear in vehicle service manuals?

Many manuals specify fastener torque in N·m or ft·lbf, while smaller fasteners may use in·lbf or N·cm. Follow the value and procedure in the manual for the exact vehicle and fastener; this converter only changes the unit of a value you already have.

Does this calculate bolt torque, preload, or engine power?

No. This page converts a known torque value between units. It does not determine a fastener setting or preload, calculate torque from force and lever-arm geometry, or calculate power from torque and rotational speed.