Torque Converter: N⋅m, lbf⋅ft, kgf⋅m & More

Convert torque between N⋅m (newton meter), lbf⋅ft (pound-force foot), lbf⋅in, kgf⋅m, and 17 units. Whether you need N⋅m to lbf⋅ft, pound-force inch to newton meter, or any SI, gravitational, or imperial unit, this converter uses the SI base (newton meter) for accurate results. Free, runs in your browser—no sign-up required.

What is torque?

Torque (moment of force) is the rotational analogue of force—it’s force times the perpendicular distance from the axis. Its dimension is force × length (e.g. N⋅m). The SI unit is the newton meter (N⋅m). In automotive and mechanics you’ll see lbf⋅ft and lbf⋅in (US/UK), and kgf⋅m in some metric regions. This converter supports 17 units including SI (N⋅m, kN⋅m, N⋅cm), CGS (dyn⋅m, dyn⋅cm), gravitational (kgf⋅m, gf⋅m), and imperial (lbf⋅ft, lbf⋅in, ozf⋅ft, ozf⋅in). Every value is normalized to N⋅m under the hood.

How torque conversion works

Torque is force times perpendicular distance (moment of force), so its dimension is force × length. The SI unit is the newton meter (N⋅m). Convert your value into N⋅m using the source unit’s factor, then divide by the target unit’s factor:

\text{Result} = \text{Value} \times \frac{\text{source (N}\cdot\text{m)}}{\text{target (N}\cdot\text{m)}}

Example: 10 lbf⋅ft to N⋅m → 10 × 1.35582 ÷ 1 ≈ 13.56 N⋅m. The converter supports SI (N⋅m, kN⋅m, N⋅cm, N⋅mm), CGS (dyn⋅m, dyn⋅cm), gravitational (kgf⋅m, gf⋅m), and imperial (lbf⋅ft, lbf⋅in, ozf⋅ft, ozf⋅in).

Key Torque Units Explained

Each unit’s factor to N⋅m — what this torque converter uses. Torque = force × distance; the force unit (newton, dyne, kgf, lbf, ozf) and length unit (m, cm, mm, ft, in) define each combination.

Newton meter (N⋅m)

Factor: 1 (SI base unit)

The SI derived unit for torque. One newton of force applied at one meter radius. Used in physics, automotive (e.g. lug nuts), and machinery specs.

Pound-force foot (lbf⋅ft)

Factor: $1\,\text{lbf}\cdot\text{ft} \approx 1.3558\,\text{N}\cdot\text{m}$

Common in US and UK for automotive torque (e.g. “100 lbf⋅ft”). 1 lbf = 4.448 N, 1 ft = 0.3048 m, so 1 lbf⋅ft ≈ 1.356 N⋅m.

Pound-force inch (lbf⋅in)

Factor: 1 lbf⋅in ≈ 0.11298 N⋅m

Used for smaller fasteners and precision torque. 12 lbf⋅in = 1 lbf⋅ft. Often seen in inch-pound or in-lb on torque wrenches.

Kilogram-force meter (kgf⋅m)

Factor: 1 kgf⋅m = 9.80665 N⋅m

Gravitational metric unit. 1 kgf = 9.80665 N (standard gravity). Common in some regions for engine and machinery torque.

Dyne meter (dyn⋅m)

Factor: 1 dyn⋅m = 10⁻⁵ N⋅m

CGS unit. 1 dyn = 10⁻⁵ N. Used in older physics and some instrumentation (e.g. galvanometer torque).

Kilonewton meter (kN⋅m)

Factor: 1 kN⋅m = 1000 N⋅m

Used for large torques: turbines, cranes, structural engineering. 1 kN⋅m = 1000 N⋅m.

When to use N⋅m vs lbf⋅ft vs kgf⋅m

N⋅m is the SI unit and is preferred in physics and international specs. lbf⋅ft (pound-force foot) is the US/UK standard for automotive torque (e.g. lug nuts 80–100 lbf⋅ft, 108–136 N⋅m). lbf⋅in is used for smaller fasteners and precision torque wrenches. kgf⋅m appears in some metric regions for engine and machinery specs (1 kgf⋅m = 9.80665 N⋅m). dyn⋅m and dyn⋅cm show up in older physics and instrumentation. This converter supports all of these so you can match manuals and formulas.

Who uses a torque converter?

Automotive technicians and engineers convert between N⋅m and lbf⋅ft for tightening specs (lug nuts, cylinder heads). Manufacturing and assembly use lbf⋅in or N⋅cm for small fasteners. Students and educators use it to check homework (e.g. “convert 10 lbf⋅ft to N⋅m”) and to relate τ = Iα (in N⋅m) to real-world units. Mechanical engineers see mixed units in datasheets and need quick conversion. All conversions run in your browser—no data is sent to a server.

Common torque conversions at a glance

Handy reference for N⋅m to lbf⋅ft, lbf⋅in to N⋅m, and other everyday torque conversions.

From	To	Formula	Example
N⋅m	lbf⋅ft	÷ 1.35582	13.56 N⋅m ≈ 10 lbf⋅ft
lbf⋅ft	N⋅m	× 1.35582	10 lbf⋅ft ≈ 13.56 N⋅m
lbf⋅in	N⋅m	× 0.11298	88.5 lbf⋅in ≈ 10 N⋅m
kgf⋅m	N⋅m	× 9.80665	1 kgf⋅m = 9.81 N⋅m
N⋅cm	N⋅m	÷ 100	100 N⋅cm = 1 N⋅m

Why newton meter is the SI unit

Torque (moment of force) is force × distance, so its dimension is N⋅m in SI. The newton meter is the SI derived unit and is consistent with work/energy (joule = N⋅m), though torque is not energy—same dimension, different physical meaning. Gravitational units (kgf⋅m, lbf⋅ft) use force defined by standard gravity; the converter uses fixed factors (9.80665 N per kgf, 1.35582 N⋅m per lbf⋅ft) so results are consistent.

Avoiding common mistakes

Don’t confuse torque (N⋅m, rotational effect) with work or energy (also N⋅m = joule)—they have the same dimension but torque is not energy. Don’t mix lbf⋅ft and lbf⋅in without converting (12 lbf⋅in = 1 lbf⋅ft). When a spec says “lb·ft” or “ft·lb,” it usually means lbf⋅ft (pound-force foot), not foot-pound as energy. Always convert to one unit (we recommend N⋅m) before using in τ = Iα or other formulas. This converter uses absolute factors for all 17 units.

Torque Conversion FAQ

? How do I convert N⋅m to lbf⋅ft?

Divide N⋅m by 1.35582 to get lbf⋅ft. So 13.56 N⋅m ≈ 10 lbf⋅ft. To convert lbf⋅ft to N⋅m, multiply by 1.35582.

? How do you convert pound-force inch to newton meter?

Multiply lbf⋅in by 0.11298 to get N⋅m. So 88.5 lbf⋅in ≈ 10 N⋅m. To convert N⋅m to lbf⋅in, divide by 0.11298. There are 12 lbf⋅in in 1 lbf⋅ft.

? What is the difference between kgf⋅m and N⋅m?

Kilogram-force meter uses gravitational force: 1 kgf = 9.80665 N (standard gravity). So 1 kgf⋅m = 9.80665 N⋅m. Both are torque; kgf⋅m is common in some metric regions for engine and machinery specs.

? When is dyne meter used?

The dyne is the CGS unit of force (1 dyn = 10⁻⁵ N). Dyne meter (dyn⋅m) and dyne centimeter (dyn⋅cm) appear in older physics and in some instrumentation, e.g. galvanometer torque constants. This converter includes them for completeness.

? What is the SI unit for torque?

The newton meter (N⋅m). Torque is force × distance, so in SI (force in newtons, distance in meters) the coherent unit is N⋅m. It has the same dimension as the joule (work = force × distance), but torque and energy are different physical quantities—don’t add them. This converter uses N⋅m as the base for all 17 units.

? Is pound-foot the same as foot-pound?

In torque contexts, lbf⋅ft (pound-force foot) and ft⋅lbf (foot-pound) are the same unit: 1 lbf⋅ft = 1 ft⋅lbf ≈ 1.35582 N⋅m. “Foot-pound” is also used for energy in some contexts (1 ft⋅lbf of work). This converter treats them as torque; for energy use the Energy Converter. So yes, for torque they’re the same.

Torque Conversion Tool