Newton-meters to foot-pounds (N·m to ft·lb) torque converter

What are newton-meters, foot-pounds, and inch-pounds?

Newton-meters (N·m)

A newton-meter (N·m) is the SI unit of torque, also called moment of force. It represents the turning effect produced when a force of one newton acts at a perpendicular distance of one meter from a pivot point. Torque is what tightens a bolt, spins a crankshaft, or turns a steering wheel, and the newton-meter is the standard metric measure for it. Note that although a newton-meter is dimensionally the same as a joule, torque and energy are distinct concepts and are never interchanged in practice.

Foot-pounds (ft·lb)

A foot-pound (ft·lb) is the customary unit of torque in the imperial and United States systems. It is the torque created by a one-pound force acting at a perpendicular distance of one foot from the axis of rotation. Foot-pounds dominate automotive specifications in the United States, where engine torque and bolt tightening values are routinely quoted in this unit.

Inch-pounds (in·lb)

An inch-pound (in·lb) is a smaller customary unit of torque, equal to a one-pound force applied one inch from the pivot. Because one foot is twelve inches, one foot-pound equals exactly twelve inch-pounds. Inch-pounds are favored for delicate work, such as electronics, small fasteners, and precision instruments, where foot-pounds would be too coarse.

How does the calculator work?

This converter links three torque units at once. Enter a value in any field and the other two update instantly. The tool tracks which field you changed last and converts from it to the others, so all three stay consistent in every direction.

The conversions use precise factors. One newton-meter equals about 0.73756214728 foot-pounds and 8.8507457676 inch-pounds, while one foot-pound is exactly twelve inch-pounds.

Newton-meters, foot-pounds, and inch-pounds conversion formulas

To convert newton-meters to foot-pounds, multiply by 0.73756214728:

$$\text{Foot-pounds} = \text{Newton-meters} \times 0.73756214728$$

To convert foot-pounds back to newton-meters, divide by the same factor:

$$\text{Newton-meters} = \frac{\text{Foot-pounds}}{0.73756214728}$$

Newton-meters relate to inch-pounds through the factor 8.8507457676:

$$\text{Inch-pounds} = \text{Newton-meters} \times 8.8507457676$$

And foot-pounds convert to inch-pounds with the exact factor 12:

$$\text{Inch-pounds} = \text{Foot-pounds} \times 12$$

Conversion table

The table below summarizes how each torque unit relates to the others.

For other force and pressure conversions, use the pressure unit converter.

Examples

The following examples reuse the same numbers as the calculator’s test fixtures.

Example 1: Convert 1 N·m to foot-pounds and inch-pounds

Starting from a single newton-meter:

$$\text{Foot-pounds} = 1 \times 0.73756214728 = 0.737562$$

And in inch-pounds:

$$\text{Inch-pounds} = 1 \times 8.8507457676 = 8.850746$$

So 1 N·m is about 0.7376 ft·lb, or 8.8507 in·lb.

Example 2: Convert 100 N·m to foot-pounds

For a larger torque value typical of automotive work:

$$\text{Foot-pounds} = 100 \times 0.73756214728 = 73.7562$$

Thus 100 N·m equals about 73.76 ft·lb.

Example 3: Convert 10 ft·lb to newton-meters

Working in the other direction:

$$\text{Newton-meters} = \frac{10}{0.73756214728} = 13.5582$$

So 10 ft·lb is about 13.56 N·m.

Practical applications

Torque conversion matters most in the automotive world. Service manuals printed for global markets list bolt-tightening specs in newton-meters, while American mechanics often work with torque wrenches calibrated in foot-pounds, so converting prevents over- or under-tightening critical fasteners.

In manufacturing and assembly, inch-pounds come into play for small screws and electronics, where the right torque protects delicate components. Being able to move between inch-pounds and the larger units keeps tooling and instructions aligned.

Engineers comparing equipment from different regions rely on these conversions to evaluate engine output, fastener requirements, and machine specifications on a common basis, avoiding mistakes that could compromise safety or performance.

Frequently asked questions

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

Multiply the newton-meter value by 0.73756214728. For example, 100 N·m × 0.73756214728 ≈ 73.76 ft·lb.

How many newton-meters are in a foot-pound?

One foot-pound equals about 1.3558 newton-meters.

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

Exactly twelve. One foot-pound equals 12 inch-pounds because a foot contains twelve inches.

Is a newton-meter the same as a joule?

They share the same dimensions, but torque (newton-meters) and energy (joules) are physically different quantities and should not be treated as interchangeable.

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

Divide the foot-pound value by 0.73756214728, or equivalently multiply by about 1.3558. For example, 10 ft·lb ÷ 0.73756214728 ≈ 13.56 N·m.

When should I use inch-pounds instead of foot-pounds?

Use inch-pounds for low-torque tasks such as small fasteners, electronics, and precision instruments, where foot-pounds would be too large to specify the value accurately.