1 N·m in every unit
Values update with the converter above. Select a row to open that conversion's detailed page.
Popular conversions
2 pairsNewton-Meter ↔ Pound-Foot
N·m ↔ lb·ft
Kilogram-Force Meter ↔ Newton-Meter
kgf·m ↔ N·m
Unit guides
3 unitsDetailed guide to Torque
Torque measures the twisting or rotational effect of a force applied at a distance from a pivot point. It is expressed as τ = F × r.
The newton-meter is the SI derived unit of torque, while pound-foot is common in US-sourced automotive and engineering documents.
- Physical quantity
- Torque (moment of force)
- SI unit
- Newton-meter
- SI symbol
- N·m
- Formula
- τ = F × r
- Typical use
- Engine torque, torque wrenches and bolt specifications
Torque, energy and fastening
Torque is a turning effect, commonly expressed in newton metres or foot-pounds. Although torque and energy can share equivalent dimensions, they describe different physical concepts.
A specified tightening torque does not by itself guarantee bolt preload. Thread condition, lubrication, tool calibration and the manufacturer procedure all affect the result.
What is torque?
Torque is the rotational equivalent of force: it measures how much a force applied at a distance from a pivot tends to rotate an object.
One newton-meter is the torque produced by a 1-newton force applied perpendicular to a 1-meter lever arm.
Newton-meter and pound-foot
One newton-meter equals about 0.737562 pound-feet. One pound-foot equals exactly 1.355818 newton-meters.
Vehicle engine specifications and torque wrench settings often quote both units, since US-sourced documents typically use pound-feet.
Torque versus energy
Newton-meter is dimensionally identical to the joule (kg·m²/s²), but the two express different physical quantities: joule is energy (scalar), newton-meter is torque (a vector effect).
To avoid confusion, convention reserves the joule symbol for energy and newton-meter for torque — they are never used interchangeably.
Unit comparison table
| Unit | Symbol | SI equivalent | System | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton-Meter | N·m | SI reference unit | SI | Fasteners, motors and mechanical design |
| Pound-Foot | lb·ft | ≈ 1.355818 N·m | US customary | Automotive and mechanical specifications |
| Kilogram-Force Meter | kgf·m | ≈ 9.80665 N·m | Gravitational metric unit | Legacy torque specifications |
Torque units
| Unit | Symbol | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Newton-Meter | N·m | View unit guide |
| Pound-Foot | lb·ft | View unit guide |
| Kilogram-Force Meter | kgf·m | View unit guide |