Torque Converter
Convert torque (turning force) into N·m, lbf·ft, lbf·in, kgf·m, kgf·cm and the other units at once.
Torque units and their definitions
The size of each unit in newton meters is listed below. The converter first turns your torque into N·m, then divides by the size of each unit.
| Unit | Size of one unit | Definition and source |
|---|---|---|
| Newton meter (SI) | ||
| kN·m (kilonewton meter) | 1,000 N·m | 1,000 N·m (SI prefix kilo) |
| N·m (newton meter) | 1 N·m | The SI unit of torque: the moment of a force of 1 N applied at right angles at a distance of 1 m from the axis |
| N·cm (newton centimeter) | 0.01 N·m | 1/100 of a newton meter |
| N·mm (newton millimeter) | 0.001 N·m | 1/1,000 of a newton meter |
| Kilogram-force meter and centimeter | ||
| kgf·m (kilogram-force meter) | 9.80665 N·m | Exactly 9.80665 N·m (1 kgf = 9.80665 N, times 1 m). NIST SP 811 |
| kgf·cm (kilogram-force centimeter) | 0.0980665 N·m | 1/100 of a kgf·m. NIST SP 811 |
| Pound-force foot and inch | ||
| lbf·ft (pound-force foot) | 1.3558179483314004 N·m | About 1.355818 N·m: 1 lbf × 1 ft (0.3048 m). NIST lists 1.355 818 N·m. A unit of torque (moment of force), not of energy. NIST SP 811 |
| lbf·in (pound-force inch) | 0.1129848290276167 N·m | About 0.1129848 N·m: 1 lbf × 1 in (0.0254 m). NIST lists 1.129 848 E−01 N·m. NIST SP 811 |
A unit of torque is "a unit of force × a unit of arm length". The factors for kgf·m, lbf·ft and the others are the force factors (1 kgf = 9.80665 N, 1 lbf = about 4.448222 N) multiplied by the length definitions (1 ft = 0.3048 m, 1 in = 0.0254 m). The calculation uses exact fractions, and the only rounding is the one applied when a value is displayed.
What torque is
- Torque is the moment of a force, the effect that makes something turn. It is the force applied at right angles, multiplied by the distance from the center of rotation. For example, turning a bolt with 50 N at the end of a wrench that is 0.2 m long gives 10 N·m.
- lbf·ft is a unit of torque. The "lb" here is the pound-force, a unit of force, not the pound of mass. NIST SP 811 lists the pound-force foot (lbf·ft) as a unit of torque (1.355 818 N·m) and lists the foot pound-force (ft·lbf) separately as a unit of energy (1.355 818 J). The numbers are the same, but they measure different quantities.
- The newton meter (N·m) has the same form as the joule (J), the unit of energy. Torque (how hard something is turned) and energy (an amount of work) are different quantities, so this tool does not convert between N·m and J. To convert units of energy, use the Energy Converter.
- The kgf in kgf·m and kgf·cm is a unit of force, not the kilogram of mass (1 kgf = 9.80665 N).
Examples
- 1 kgf·m = 9.80665 N·m
- 1 lbf·ft = about 1.355818 N·m (1 lbf·ft = 12 lbf·in)
- 1 lbf·in = about 0.1129848 N·m
- 10 N·m = about 1.019716 kgf·m = about 7.375621 lbf·ft
- 1 kgf·cm = about 0.0980665 N·m
- 1 N·m = 100 N·cm = 1,000 N·mm
Notes
- You can enter decimals (up to 12 digits before the decimal point and 6 decimal places). Use a period as the decimal separator. Commas are accepted only as thousands separators, for example 1,234.5. Negative values cannot be entered.
- For the tightening torque of bolts and nuts, follow the value given for the product or part. This tool only converts units and does not tell you the right tightening value. You can use it when the scale of a torque wrench is in a different unit from the specified value.
- The conversions are for reference.
Sources
The definitions on this page come from the sources below (checked on November 1, 2026). The kilogram-force meter, pound-force foot and pound-force inch rows of NIST SP 811 Appendix B.8 were read word for word. Appendix B marks exact factors in boldface. The foot pound-force row (energy) and the kilogram-force row (force) were read in the same appendix.
Frequently asked questions
How many N·m is one kgf·m?
9.80665 N·m. It is the torque of a force of 1 kgf (9.80665 N) applied at the end of a 1 m arm.
How many N·m is one lbf·ft?
About 1.355818 N·m. It is the torque of a force of 1 lbf (about 4.448222 N) applied at the end of a 1 foot (0.3048 m) arm.
How many lbf·ft is 10 N·m?
About 7.375621 lbf·ft.
Are N·m and J the same?
They have the same form but measure different things. N·m is used for torque and J for energy.