Torque Converter
Convert between N·m, lb·ft, lb·in and kgf·m.
Pound-feet (lb·ft)
73.756103
from 100 Newton-meters (N·m)
Newton-meters (N·m)
100
Pound-inches (lb·in)
885.07324
Kilogram-force meters
10.197162
AI Breakdown & Smart Takeaway
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How the Torque Converter works
The Torque Converter instantly converts torque values between Newton-meters (N·m), pound-feet (lb·ft), pound-inches (lb·in), and kilogram-force meters (kgf·m) — making it indispensable for engineers, mechanics, and DIY enthusiasts working across metric and imperial specifications.
Torque is a rotational force: the product of a linear force and the perpendicular distance from the pivot point (the moment arm). Because different industries and regions use different unit systems, a single torque specification — say, a wheel lug nut tightened to 100 lb·ft — must often be expressed in N·m for a European service manual or kgf·m for older Japanese documentation. This converter handles all four of the most widely used torque units by applying precise, standards-defined conversion factors, so you never have to chain multiple manual calculations or risk a rounding error mid-step.
The math underneath the converter is straightforward but precision-critical. Every conversion routes through SI: 1 lb·ft equals exactly 1.35581795 N·m; 1 lb·in equals exactly 0.11298483 N·m; and 1 kgf·m equals exactly 9.80665 N·m (derived from the standard acceleration of gravity). When you enter a value in any unit, the tool divides by the source unit's N·m factor and multiplies by the target unit's factor in a single pass — eliminating the compounding rounding errors that occur when people convert lb·in → lb·ft → N·m in separate steps.
A common mistake is confusing pound-feet (lb·ft) with foot-pounds (ft·lb). In torque contexts these terms are numerically identical and interchangeable — both describe a one-pound force applied one foot from the pivot. However, foot-pound is also used as a unit of energy (work), which can create ambiguity in documentation. Similarly, pound-inches (lb·in) are frequently used for small fasteners and precision instrumentation, yet are easy to misread as lb·ft, which would introduce a factor-of-12 error. Always confirm the unit suffix before entering a value.
When using torque specs from service manuals, note that older American automotive manuals almost exclusively use lb·ft, modern European and OEM standards overwhelmingly prefer N·m, and some legacy Japanese manuals still list kgf·m. If you are using a click-type torque wrench calibrated in lb·ft to hit a spec given in N·m, converting correctly is the difference between a properly clamped joint and an overtorqued or undertorqued fastener — both of which can cause failures. Use this torque converter as a final sanity-check step rather than mental arithmetic, especially when working with safety-critical fasteners like cylinder head bolts, suspension components, or brake caliper brackets.
Formula
N·m = lb·ft × 1.35581795 N·m = lb·in × 0.11298483 N·m = kgf·m × 9.80665 For any other pair, convert to N·m first, then to the target unit using the inverse factor.
Pro tips
- Always confirm whether a spec is in lb·ft or lb·in before converting — a factor-of-12 error on a torque spec can strip threads or leave joints dangerously loose.
- When working with kgf·m values from older Japanese service manuals, treat 9.80665 as the exact gravity constant rather than rounding to 9.8 — on higher torque values the difference becomes significant.
- If your torque wrench is calibrated in lb·ft and your spec is in N·m, convert once with this tool and mark the result on a sticky note rather than recalculating each time during a job to avoid transcription errors.
- For critical fasteners (head bolts, axle nuts, brake components), always work in the native unit of your wrench rather than performing mid-task mental conversions — convert the spec to match the wrench, not the wrench to match the spec.
- When recording torque values in documentation or reports, always include the unit explicitly (e.g., '135 N·m' not just '135') — ambiguous torque logs are a common source of maintenance errors in industrial and automotive settings.
Key terms
- Newton-meter (N·m)
- — The SI unit of torque, equal to the torque produced by a one-newton force applied perpendicularly at one meter from the pivot point.
- Pound-foot (lb·ft)
- — The customary US torque unit representing a one-pound force applied one foot from the axis of rotation; numerically equivalent to the term foot-pound when used in a torque (not energy) context.
- Pound-inch (lb·in)
- — A smaller imperial torque unit — one-twelfth of a lb·ft — commonly used for small fasteners, electronics hardware, and precision instruments.
- Kilogram-force meter (kgf·m)
- — A gravitational metric torque unit equal to the torque exerted by a one-kilogram weight at one meter from the pivot, defined as 9.80665 N·m under standard gravity.
- Moment Arm
- — The perpendicular distance from the line of action of a force to the pivot point; torque equals force multiplied by the moment arm length.
- Conversion Factor
- — A precise numerical ratio used to express one unit in terms of another; for torque, all conversions are ultimately anchored to the SI definition of the Newton-meter.
