How torque conversion works
Every torque unit has a fixed ratio to the newton-metre (N·m). The value is first converted to N·m, then into the target unit.
- N·m — 1 (base unit)
- kgf·m — 9.80665 N·m
- lbf·ft — 1.35582 N·m
- lbf·in — 0.112985 N·m
Common values
| Value (N·m) | Result |
|---|---|
| 0.1 N·m | 0.0737562 lbf·ft |
| 0.25 N·m | 0.184391 lbf·ft |
| 0.5 N·m | 0.368781 lbf·ft |
| 1 N·m | 0.737562 lbf·ft |
| 1.5 N·m | 1.10634 lbf·ft |
| 2 N·m | 1.47512 lbf·ft |
| 3 N·m | 2.21269 lbf·ft |
| 5 N·m | 3.68781 lbf·ft |
| 10 N·m | 7.37562 lbf·ft |
More detail
Which unit does your tool use?
Metric spec sheets and most torque wrenches sold outside the US read in N·m or kgf·m; US automotive and hardware specs usually read in lbf·ft ("foot-pounds"), and small fasteners in lbf·in ("inch-pounds"). 1 lbf·ft = 12 lbf·in exactly, so mixing feet and inches is the most common torque mistake.
Practical tip. A click-type torque wrench is most accurate in the middle 20–80% of its range. If your target value sits at the extreme end of one wrench's scale, converting to a wrench with a better-suited range beats forcing it.
Frequently asked questions
How many N·m is 1 lbf·ft?
1 lbf·ft = 1.35582 N·m. So a 90 lbf·ft spec is about 122 N·m — enter your exact value above for the precise figure.
What's the difference between lbf·ft and lbf·in?
1 lbf·ft (foot-pound) = 12 lbf·in (inch-pound) exactly. Small fasteners are often specced in inch-pounds; reading such a spec as foot-pounds over-torques by 12× and strips the threads, while reading a foot-pound spec as inch-pounds under-torques by 12× and leaves the bolt loose. Which failure you get depends on the direction of the mix-up.
How do I convert kgf·m to N·m?
Multiply by 9.80665: 1 kgf·m = 9.80665 N·m. kgf·m (sometimes written kg·m) appears on older metric and Japanese spec sheets.
Is N·m the same as J (joules)?
Dimensionally yes, but torque and energy are different physical quantities, so torque is always written N·m and never J. This converter only handles torque units.