Pound-Feet to Newton Meters Converter
Enter a value below to convert pound-feet to newton meters - one pound-foot equals 1.355818 N·m (1 N·m = 0.7376 lb-ft). For the reverse, use our newton meters to pound-feet converter.
1 lbf·ft = 1.355818 N·m. Convert pound-force feet to newton meters. Need the reverse? See N·m to lbf·ft.
Pound-force foot
- Definition
- A pound-force foot (symbol: lbf·ft), usually written lb-ft or ft-lb, is a unit of torque in the imperial and US customary systems. It is the torque from one pound-force acting on a one-foot lever arm, and equals 1.355818 newton meters.
- History / origin
- It is built from the pound-force - the weight of a one-pound mass at standard gravity - and the foot. For torque it is written pound-feet (lbf·ft), while the identical product used for energy is written foot-pounds; the word order signals which quantity is meant.
- Current use
- Pound-feet are the everyday torque unit in the United States, especially in automotive work, where wheel-nut, spark-plug and cylinder-head torques are routinely specified in lb-ft alongside or instead of newton meters.
Newton meter
- Definition
- A newton meter (symbol: N·m) is the SI unit of torque, or moment of force. One newton meter is the turning effect of a force of one newton applied at the end of a one-meter lever arm, perpendicular to it.
- History / origin
- It is a derived SI unit combining the newton - the unit of force named after Sir Isaac Newton - with the meter. A newton meter is dimensionally the same as the joule, but the joule is reserved for energy while torque is expressed in newton meters.
- Current use
- The newton meter is the standard torque unit worldwide for engineering, physics and modern vehicle specifications, where fastener, axle and engine torques are quoted in N·m.
Pound-force foot to newton meter conversion table
| Pound-force foot [lbf·ft] | Newton meter [N·m] |
|---|---|
| 1 lbf·ft | 1.355818 N·m |
| 2 lbf·ft | 2.711636 N·m |
| 3 lbf·ft | 4.067454 N·m |
| 4 lbf·ft | 5.423272 N·m |
| 5 lbf·ft | 6.77909 N·m |
| 10 lbf·ft | 13.55818 N·m |
| 15 lbf·ft | 20.33727 N·m |
| 20 lbf·ft | 27.11636 N·m |
| 25 lbf·ft | 33.89545 N·m |
| 30 lbf·ft | 40.67454 N·m |
| 40 lbf·ft | 54.23272 N·m |
| 50 lbf·ft | 67.7909 N·m |
| 75 lbf·ft | 101.68635 N·m |
| 100 lbf·ft | 135.5818 N·m |
| 150 lbf·ft | 203.3727 N·m |
| 200 lbf·ft | 271.1636 N·m |
Popular pound-force foot to newton meter conversions
Everyday torque values, rounded to two decimals - the kind of figures you meet on real-world torque specifications.
| Pound-force foot [lbf·ft] | Newton meter [N·m] |
|---|---|
| 10 lbf·ft | 13.56 N·m |
| 15 lbf·ft | 20.34 N·m |
| 20 lbf·ft | 27.12 N·m |
| 25 lbf·ft | 33.90 N·m |
| 30 lbf·ft | 40.67 N·m |
| 40 lbf·ft | 54.23 N·m |
| 50 lbf·ft | 67.79 N·m |
| 60 lbf·ft | 81.35 N·m |
| 75 lbf·ft | 101.69 N·m |
| 90 lbf·ft | 122.02 N·m |
| 100 lbf·ft | 135.58 N·m |
| 120 lbf·ft | 162.70 N·m |
How to convert pound-force feet to newton meters
To convert pound-feet to newton meters, multiply the pound-foot value by 1.355818. For example, 80 lbf·ft = 80 × 1.355818 = 108.47 N·m.
One pound-foot is defined here as exactly 1.355818 newton meters, so converting pound-feet to newton meters is a single multiplication:
N·m = lbf·ft × 1.355818
1 lbf·ft = 1.355818 N·m · 1 N·m = 0.7375621212 lbf·ft
Example. To convert 25 lbf·ft to newton meters, multiply by 1.355818: 25 lbf·ft = 25 × 1.355818 = 33.9 N·m. Going the other way, 100 N·m is 100 × 0.7375621212 = 73.76 lbf·ft.
When you need to convert pound-force feet to newton meters
Pound-foot to newton-meter conversion is needed whenever an imperial torque spec has to drive a metric wrench. Common cases:
- Applying a US service manual figure in pound-feet using a torque wrench that reads newton meters.
- Converting wheel-nut and lug torque from lb-ft to N·m for a metric tool.
- Matching imperial engine-build torque specs to metric assembly equipment.
- Reading older American manuals while working on a vehicle documented in newton meters.
- Cross-checking an imperial torque chart against a metric one.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert pound-feet to newton meters?
Multiply the pound-foot value by 1.355818. For example, 50 lbf·ft equals about 67.79 N·m.
How many newton meters is 1 pound-foot?
One pound-foot equals 1.355818 newton meters.
How many newton meters is 100 lb-ft?
100 lbf·ft equals 135.5818 newton meters.
What is the formula to convert lb-ft to N·m?
Multiply the pound-foot value by 1.355818, because one pound-foot is defined here as 1.355818 newton meters.
Is foot-pounds the same as pound-feet for torque?
Yes. They describe the same turning effect; pound-feet (lbf·ft) is the usual torque spelling, while foot-pounds is normally kept for energy.
How do I convert newton meters back to pound-feet?
Multiply the newton-meter value by 0.7375621212, or use our newton meters to pound-feet converter for the reverse direction.
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Convert pound-force feet to other torque units
Convert a pound-force feet measurement into any other torque unit our converter supports.