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Newton Meters to Foot Pounds Converter

Convert torque between newton meters and foot-pounds, with inch-pounds shown for wrench and engine specs.

Newton-meters to foot-pounds converter

Pick the input and output units below. Negative values are allowed for loosening (reverse) torque.

Foot-pounds

73.7562 ft·lb

N·m

100 N·m

ft·lb

73.7562 ft·lb

in·lb

885.0746 in·lb

kgf·m

10.1972 kgf·m

Frequently Asked Questions about the Newton Meters to Foot Pounds Converter

How do you convert newton-meters to foot-pounds?
Multiply newton-meters by 0.7375621492772654 to get foot-pounds. For example, 100 N·m times 0.737562 is about 73.76 ft·lb. To go the other way, multiply foot-pounds by 1.3558179483314 to get newton-meters.
Where does the 0.737562 factor come from?
It is built from exact definitions: one foot is 0.3048 meters, one pound-force is 0.45359237 kg times standard gravity 9.80665 m/s squared (4.4482216152605 N), so one foot-pound equals 1.3558179483314 N·m. The reciprocal of that, 0.7375621492772654, converts newton-meters to foot-pounds.
What is the difference between foot-pounds and inch-pounds?
Both measure torque, but inch-pounds use a one-inch lever arm instead of one foot. There are 12 inches in a foot, so 1 ft·lb equals 12 in·lb. Inch-pounds are common for small fasteners where foot-pound values would be awkwardly small, such as 25 ft·lb equaling 300 in·lb.
Is torque in newton-meters the same as energy in joules?
They share the same units (force times distance), but they are different quantities. Torque is a rotational effort applied around an axis, while a joule is work or energy. This converter treats the input as torque, so it reports foot-pounds, inch-pounds, and kilogram-force-meters, not joules or calories.
Which torque value should I use for my torque wrench?
Follow the figure in your vehicle or equipment manual and match its units before you set the wrench. If the spec is in newton-meters but your wrench reads foot-pounds, convert here first, then dial in the rounded value. When a fastener is critical, torque to the manufacturer figure rather than a rounded estimate.
Can I convert negative torque values?
Yes. A negative value represents loosening or reverse torque and converts the same way as a positive one, just with the sign preserved. For instance, -100 N·m converts to about -73.76 ft·lb.

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