What is the difference between lb·ft and lb·in?

Both are pound-force times a distance, but lb·ft uses feet and lb·in uses inches, so 1 lb·ft = 12 lb·in. Pound-inches (and ounce-inches) are used for small fasteners and electronics where pound-feet would be an awkwardly tiny number. 1 N·m = 8.85075 lb·in.

What is kgf·m and where is it used?

Kilogram-force metre is a metric gravitational unit of torque, common in older European and Japanese vehicle manuals. 1 kgf·m = 9.80665 N·m, so 1 N·m = 0.101972 kgf·m. Many manuals also list kgf·cm, where 1 N·m = 10.1972 kgf·cm.

Does this convert torque to horsepower?

No. This tool only converts torque between units. Converting torque to power (watts or horsepower) also requires the rotational speed, because power = torque × angular velocity. For that, use a torque-to-horsepower calculator that takes RPM as well.

Which torque unit should I use for a bolt spec?

Use whatever unit your service manual or torque wrench is set to, then convert if they differ. US manuals usually give lb·ft (or lb·in for small bolts), while SI and most European specs use N·m. Convert the spec to match your wrench so you tighten to the correct value.

Torque Converter — N·m, lb·ft, lb·in, kgf·m

Unit	Value of 1 N·m
Pound-feet (lb·ft)	0.737562
Pound-inches (lb·in)	8.85075
Kilogram-force metre (kgf·m)	0.101972
Ounce-inches (oz·in)	141.612

Torque is rotational force — a force applied at a distance from a pivot. The SI unit is the newton-metre (N·m); the US/imperial units are pound-feet (lb·ft) and pound-inches (lb·in); older metric specs use kgf·m and kgf·cm; and small fasteners use ounce-inches. This converter rebases any value through newton-metres so you can move between every common torque unit.

Reviewed: June 20, 2026 · Author: Naveen P N, Founder — AI Calculator · Verified against: SI definitions (1 lb·ft = 1.355818 N·m), recomputed in code.

How the conversion works

Step 1 — to base

value_in_Nm = value × factor(from)

Step 2 — to target

result = value_in_Nm ÷ factor(to)

Every unit has a factor expressed per newton-metre: lb·ft = 0.737562, lb·in = 8.85075, kgf·m = 0.101972, kgf·cm = 10.1972, oz·in = 141.612, and N·m = 1. Multiplying by the from-factor lands you in newton-metres; dividing by the to-factor lands you in the unit you want. Because 1 lb·ft = 12 lb·in, the pound-inch number is always exactly twelve times the pound-foot number.

Worked examples

100 N·m to pound-feet:

N·m → lb·ft

100 × 0.737562 = 73.76 lb·ft

50 lb·ft back to newton-metres:

lb·ft → N·m

50 × 1.355818 = 67.79 N·m

200 N·m to kilogram-force metres:

N·m → kgf·m

200 × 0.101972 = 20.394 kgf·m

A wheel-nut spec of 100 N·m is about 73.76 lb·ft — set a US torque wrench to that. The same 100 N·m is roughly 10.2 kgf·m in an older manual.

Related tools

Torque Calculator — force × distance.
Torque to HP Calculator — needs RPM.
Bolt Torque Calculator — fastener tightening.
Force Converter — newtons, pounds-force, kgf.
All Converters — the full collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert N·m to lb·ft?⌄

Multiply by 0.737562. 100 N·m = 73.76 lb·ft. Reverse: × 1.355818, so 50 lb·ft = 67.79 N·m.

lb·ft vs lb·in?⌄

1 lb·ft = 12 lb·in. Pound-inches (and ounce-inches) suit small fasteners. 1 N·m = 8.85075 lb·in.

What is kgf·m?⌄

Kilogram-force metre, a metric gravitational unit in older manuals. 1 kgf·m = 9.80665 N·m, so 1 N·m = 0.101972 kgf·m.

Convert torque to horsepower?⌄

Not here — power needs RPM (power = torque × angular velocity). Use a torque-to-HP calculator.

Which unit for a bolt spec?⌄

Match your wrench. US manuals use lb·ft (lb·in for small bolts); SI/European use N·m. Convert so they agree.

Torque Converter

Torque conversion — Quick answer