How it works
Convert torque specifications for bolts, wheels, engines and motors between metric newton-meters and US pound-feet and pound-inches. Torque is a force times the distance from the pivot.
One pound-foot is the torque from one pound-force (0.45359237 kg × 9.80665 m/s²) acting at one foot (0.3048 m), which is about 1.35582 N·m. A pound-inch is one-twelfth of that. Small fasteners and electronics are often specified in pound-inches or ounce-inches.
Formula
1 lbf·ft = 0.45359237 × 9.80665 × 0.3048 N·m ≈ 1.355818 N·m
Questions people ask
How many N·m is 100 ft-lbs?
About 135.58 N·m. Multiply pound-feet by 1.35582 to get newton-meters.
Are ft-lbs and lb-ft the same?
For torque, yes, people use both. Strictly, lb-ft (pound-feet) is preferred for torque, and ft-lb (foot-pounds) is used for work and energy, which have the same dimensions.
How do I convert in-lbs to ft-lbs?
Divide by 12. For example, 120 in-lbs is 10 ft-lbs.