AJ Designer

Torque Unit Converter

result equals value times from-factor divided by to-factor

Torque Conversion =

1 Newton-Meter (N·m) = 0.73756215 Pound-Foot (lbf·ft); 8.8507458 Pound-Inch (lbf·in)

Solution in Other Units

UnitValue
Newton-Meter (N·m)1
Kilonewton-Meter (kN·m)0.001
Pound-Foot (lbf·ft)0.73756215
Pound-Inch (lbf·in)8.8507458
Dyne-Centimeter (dyn·cm)10000000
Dyne-Meter (dyn·m)100000
Gram-Centimeter (g·cm)10197.214
Gram-Meter (g·m)101.97162
Kilogram-Centimeter (kg·cm)10.197162
Kilogram-Meter (kg·m)0.10197162
Newton-Centimeter (N·cm)100
Newton-Millimeter (N·mm)1000

Show Your Work

Result = Value × (Source factor ÷ Target factor)
Base unit for this torque family is Newton-Meter (N·m).
1 Newton-Meter (N·m) = 1 Newton-Meter (N·m)
1 Newton-Meter (N·m) = 0.73756215 Pound-Foot (lbf·ft)
1 Newton-Meter (N·m) = 8.8507458 Pound-Inch (lbf·in)
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How It Works

This converter uses the newton-meter (N·m) as its base unit. Each supported torque unit has a known factor relative to N·m, so the calculator converts your source torque into newton-meters first and then divides by each target-unit factor to populate the full comparison table.

Example Problem

Convert 80 lb·ft to N·m and lb·in for a fastener-torque check.

  1. Start with the source value: 80 lb·ft.
  2. Use the conversion 1 lb·ft ≈ 1.35581795 N·m.
  3. Convert to the base unit: 80 × 1.35581795 ≈ 108.4654 N·m.
  4. Convert pound-feet to pound-inches by multiplying by 12.
  5. 80 lb·ft = 960 lb·in.
  6. So 80 lb·ft is 108.47 N·m or 960 lb·in.

Key Concepts

Torque is rotational force: the product of a force and a lever-arm distance. The SI base unit is the newton-meter, but many automotive and machinery specs use pound-foot, pound-inch, kilogram-meter, kilogram-centimeter, and similar units. Because these units all describe the same rotational quantity, conversion is a factor-based process through the newton-meter.

Applications

  • Vehicle service: translating fastener and lug-nut torque specs between SI and imperial units
  • Machinery design: comparing motor, shaft, and coupling torque ratings across documentation systems
  • Manufacturing and assembly: setting torque tools correctly for both heavy and small fasteners
  • Legacy-equipment support: reading older kg·m and kg·cm specifications in modern SI units

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing torque units with energy units even though both can look like force times distance
  • Mixing pound-inch and pound-foot without accounting for the factor of 12
  • Using kilogram as though it were already a force unit when older torque specs really mean kilogram-force

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you convert torque units?

Convert the source value to newton-meters first, then divide by the target-unit factor. That is the base-unit method this calculator uses.

What is the formula for converting N·m, lb·ft, and lb·in?

Use Result = Value × (source factor ÷ target factor), where each factor is defined relative to the newton-meter.

How many lb·ft are in 1 N·m?

One newton-meter is about 0.73756 pound-foot.

How many lb·in are in 1 lb·ft?

One pound-foot equals 12 pound-inches.

Why do torque specs use so many different units?

Different industries and countries standardized around different tools and documentation systems, so converters help compare them accurately.

Is kilogram-meter an SI torque unit?

No. Modern SI work uses newton-meters, though kilogram-force-based units still appear in older references.

Can I use this converter for engines, tools, and bolts?

Yes. Any quantity that is truly torque can be converted across the supported units here.

Torque Conversion Formula

Torque conversions use the newton-meter as the common base unit. The calculator converts the source turning force into N·m first, then expresses that same torque in every other supported fastener, engine, and machinery unit below.

Result = Value × (Source factor ÷ Target factor)
  • Result — the converted measurement in the target torque unit
  • Value — the original measurement you enter
  • Source factor — the factor that maps the source unit to the common base unit
  • Target factor — the factor used to express the same base-unit value in the target unit

Worked Examples

Automotive

How do you convert 50 N·m to lb·ft?

A service manual gives a fastener torque in SI units, but your torque wrench is marked in pound-feet.

  • Start with the source value: 50 N·m.
  • Use the conversion 1 N·m ≈ 0.737562 lb·ft.
  • Multiply: 50 × 0.737562 ≈ 36.8781 lb·ft.
  • That same torque is also 442.535 lb·in.
  • So the fastener setting is about 36.88 lb·ft.
  • The same torque is about 36.88 lb·ft.

A torque of 50 N·m is about 36.88 lb·ft.

This is one of the most common workshop conversions for fasteners and wheel lugs.

Fasteners

What is 250 lb·in in N·m?

A small fastener spec uses pound-inches, but the design table you are comparing uses N·m.

  • Start with the source value: 250 lb·in.
  • Use the conversion 1 lb·in ≈ 0.112985 N·m.
  • Multiply: 250 × 0.112985 ≈ 28.2463 N·m.
  • That is also about 2.8797 kg·m.
  • So the equivalent torque is about 28.25 N·m.
  • The same torque is 28.25 N·m.

A torque of 250 lb·in is about 28.25 N·m.

This is especially useful for electronics, bicycle, and light-machinery fastener specs.

Legacy Specs

How do you convert 12 kg·m to N·m?

An older machine specification lists torque in kilogram-meter and you need SI torque.

  • Start with the source value: 12 kg·m.
  • Use the conversion 1 kg·m = 9.80665 N·m.
  • Multiply: 12 × 9.80665 = 117.6798 N·m.
  • You can also convert that to pound-foot if needed.
  • 117.6798 N·m ≈ 86.797 lb·ft.
  • The same torque is 117.68 N·m.

A torque of 12 kg·m is 117.68 N·m.

Older automotive and industrial references often use kilogram-meter or kilogram-centimeter units.

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