๐ง Torque Converter
Convert between newton-meters (Nยทm), kilogram-force meters (kgfยทm), pound-feet (lbยทft), and pound-inches (lbยทin) in real time. Useful for checking torque wrench settings or converting torque specs on imported products.
How to use
- Enter a value into any torque unit field (Nยทm, kgfยทm, lbยทft, or lbยทin).
- The converted values appear instantly in the other unit fields.
How the calculation works
Torque is the turning effect of a force, expressed as force ร distance from the axis of rotation, in newton-metres (Nยทm). The same force produces more torque the further from the axis it is applied โ which is why a longer wrench turns a bolt more easily. The kilogram-force metre (kgfยทm) is 1 kgf applied at 1 m: 1 kgfยทm = 9.80665 Nยทm. It appears in older Japanese service documents and car brochures. The pound-foot (lbยทft) is about 1.356 Nยทm and the pound-inch (lbยทin), a twelfth of that, about 0.113 Nยทm, mostly on American tools and manuals. Force and torque are different quantities; take care not to confuse N (force) with Nยทm (torque).
Worked example
A US service manual specifying 100 lbยทft 100 ร 1.35582 โ 135.6 Nยทm Conversely, a Japanese manual's 25 Nยทm is 25 รท 1.35582 โ 18.4 lbยทft. An older figure of 10 kgfยทm is 10 ร 9.80665 โ 98.1 Nยทm.
Things to be aware of
- Correct tightening torque depends on the fastener and on whether it is lubricated. Always follow the manufacturer's figure.
- lbยทft and lbยทin differ by a factor of 12. Check which one your torque wrench's scale uses.
- Older documents may quote peak engine torque in kgfยทm.
- For force units (N, kgf), use the force converter.
FAQ
Can this help set a torque wrench?
Yes โ if an imported torque wrench is marked in lbยทft, convert it to Nยทm to compare against a spec given in metric units.
What's the relationship between kgfยทm and Nยทm?
1 kgfยทm is about 9.80665 Nยทm. kgfยทm was commonly used under older JIS standards.
How is this different from the force converter?
Force (N, kgf, etc.) is a straight-line push or pull, while torque (Nยทm, etc.) is a rotational force (moment). For force units, see our Force Converter.