What this calculator does
Nm to ft-lbs is a torque conversion that comes up constantly around tools and vehicles, since a torque wrench or a manufacturer's spec might be marked in either unit depending on where it was made. A newton-metre (Nm) is the metric unit; a foot-pound (ft-lb) is the imperial or US customary unit.
This calculator converts Nm to ft-lbs by dividing by 1.355818, or ft-lbs to Nm by multiplying by the same factor. Enter a value, choose the direction, and the equivalent comes back along with the figure in inch-pounds.
The formula
Torque is a force applied at a distance from a pivot point, so both units are a force unit times a distance unit: newtons times metres, or pounds-force times feet. Since a newton-metre is a smaller unit of torque than a foot-pound, one Nm converts to about 0.7376 ft-lb, and the exact conversion factor is 1.355818 Nm per ft-lb.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Newton-metre (Nm) | The metric unit of torque: one newton of force applied at one metre from the pivot. |
| Foot-pound (ft-lb) | The imperial/US unit of torque: one pound-force applied at one foot from the pivot. |
| 1.355818 | The exact number of newton-metres in one foot-pound, used to convert in both directions. |
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Value | The value to convert. |
| Convert | Choose whether to convert Nm to ft-lbs, or ft-lbs to Nm. |
When to use it
Setting a torque wrench to a manufacturer spec
A vehicle or equipment manual that lists a fastener torque in Nm converts to ft-lbs for a torque wrench calibrated in the imperial unit, or the other way around.
Checking 100 ft lbs to Nm
A commonly quoted torque figure, such as a wheel lug nut spec around 100 ft-lb, converts to about 135.6 Nm, useful when comparing specs from different sources.
Comparing torque figures for tools or engines from different regions
Power tool and engine torque specs are quoted in Nm in most of the world and in ft-lb in the US, so converting puts two figures on the same footing for a direct comparison.
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
Nm to ft-lbs, at common torque values
A range of newton-metre values, each converted to foot-pounds.
| Newton-metres | Foot-pounds | In inch-pounds |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 7.376 ft-lb | 88.51 in-lb |
| 20 | 14.751 ft-lb | 177.01 in-lb |
| 50 | 36.878 ft-lb | 442.54 in-lb |
| 100 | 73.756 ft-lb | 885.07 in-lb |
| 150 | 110.634 ft-lb | 1,327.61 in-lb |
| 200 | 147.512 ft-lb | 1,770.15 in-lb |
ft-lbs to Nm, at common torque values
A range of foot-pound values, each converted to newton-metres.
| Foot-pounds | Newton-metres | In inch-pounds |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 13.558 Nm | 120.00 in-lb |
| 20 | 27.116 Nm | 240.00 in-lb |
| 50 | 67.791 Nm | 600.00 in-lb |
| 80 | 108.465 Nm | 960.00 in-lb |
| 100 | 135.582 Nm | 1,200.00 in-lb |
| 150 | 203.373 Nm | 1,800.00 in-lb |
Questions
How do I convert Nm to ft lbs?
Divide the newton-metre figure by 1.355818. For example, 100 Nm ÷ 1.355818 ≈ 73.76 ft-lb.
What is 100 ft lbs to Nm?
100 ft-lb × 1.355818 ≈ 135.58 Nm.
What is 80 ft lbs to Nm?
80 ft-lb × 1.355818 ≈ 108.47 Nm.
Why does torque use a force unit and a distance unit together?
Torque measures a twisting effect, which depends on both how hard a force pushes and how far from the pivot it is applied. Newton-metres and foot-pounds are both, literally, a force unit multiplied by a distance unit.
For the full torque unit ladder, including kilogram-force metres and ounce-force inches, see the torque converter. For torque combined with rotational power and speed, see the torque and rotational power calculator.