Torque Converter: Nm, lb·ft, kgf·m
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1 Nm = 0.7375621 lb·ft1 Nm takes 2 N on a 50 cm wrench, like hanging 204 g from its end.
Torque is force times the length of the lever: double the lever and you need half the force. That is why a long wrench loosens a tight bolt more easily.
All Results
Quick Reference Table: Newton-meter → Pound-foot
| Value (Nm) | Result (lb·ft) |
|---|---|
| 10 Nm | 7.3756 lb·ft |
| 25 Nm | 18.4391 lb·ft |
| 50 Nm | 36.8781 lb·ft |
| 100 Nm | 73.7562 lb·ft |
| 150 Nm | 110.6343 lb·ft |
| 200 Nm | 147.5124 lb·ft |
| 300 Nm | 221.2686 lb·ft |
| 400 Nm | 295.0249 lb·ft |
| 500 Nm | 368.7811 lb·ft |
| 1,000 Nm | 737.5621 lb·ft |
About Torque Conversions
Torque (moment of force) measures how strongly a force turns something around an axis. The SI unit is the newton meter (Nm). Carmakers give engine torque in Nm in Europe and in pound-feet (lb·ft) in the United States. One pound-foot equals about 1.356 Nm. The kilogram-force meter (kgf·m) is still used in parts of Europe and Asia. Torque matters for rating engines, for tightening bolts and nuts to the specified value and for designing machines. A typical car engine produces 150-400 Nm, while heavy trucks may exceed 2,000 Nm.
Typical Torque Settings
Tightening torques and peak engine torques. For bolts and nuts, always use the value the manufacturer gives.
| Application | Nm | lb·ft | kgf·m |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bicycle stem bolt | 5 | 3.688 | 0.5099 |
| Spark plug | 25 | 18.44 | 2.549 |
| Bicycle crank bolt | 40 | 29.5 | 4.079 |
| Car wheel lug nut | 110 | 81.13 | 11.22 |
| Small car engine, peak | 150 | 110.6 | 15.3 |
| Diesel SUV, peak | 400 | 295 | 40.79 |
| Truck engine, peak | 2,500 | 1,844 | 254.9 |
History of the newton meter
Torque measures how hard a force turns something: the force times its distance from the pivot. Its SI unit is built from two others, the newton and the meter.
- The General Conference on Weights and Measures gave the unit of force, the kilogram meter per second squared, its own name: the newton (N). Torque is measured in newton meters.
- The ninth edition of the SI Brochure notes that torque has the same dimension as energy, yet is never expressed in joules: the newton meter is kept for it.
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