Nm to ft lb Converter
Newton meters to foot pounds, both directions, live. Exact SI factor, full double precision, zero lookup tables.
Torque converter
73.7562 ft·lb
100 N·m ÷ 1.3558179483314004 = 73.75621492772654 ft·lb
All torque units
1 N·m of torque is numerically 1 joule of energy (same dimension, different physical meaning). 1 kgf·m = 9.80665 N·m exactly.
Quick conversion tables
| N·m | 1 | 10 | 25 | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ft·lb | 0.7376 | 7.3756 | 18.4391 | 36.8781 | 73.7562 | 110.6343 | 147.5124 |
| ft·lb | 1 | 10 | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 150 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N·m | 1.3558 | 13.5582 | 33.8954 | 67.7909 | 101.6863 | 135.5818 | 203.3727 |
Torque in the real world
Bolt torque cheat sheet
Typical passenger-car values. Always verify against your vehicle owner's manual.
| Fastener | N·m | ft·lb |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel lug nuts | 100–140 | 73.8–103.3 |
| Oil drain plug | 25–40 | 18.4–29.5 |
| Spark plugs | 15–30 | 11.1–22.1 |
| Brake caliper bolts | 30–60 | 22.1–44.3 |
Setting a click-type torque wrench
- Convert the spec to the unit printed on your wrench using the converter above.
- Twist the handle to the converted value (e.g. 88 ft·lb = 119.3 N·m).
- Pull slowly and smoothly; stop the instant you hear/feel the click.
- Never use a torque wrench as a breaker bar, and store it at its lowest setting.
Over-torquing stretches bolts and warps brake rotors. Under-torquing lets wheels work loose. When in doubt, follow the manual, not a table.
Worked examples
Setting a US torque wrench from a metric spec
Your European car's manual says wheel bolts: 110 N.m. Your wrench reads ft.lb.
110 N.m / 1.3558179483314004 = 81.1318
81.1318 ft.lb
Set the wrench to about 81.1 ft.lb.
Reading a US manual with a metric wrench
A US service manual calls for 25 ft.lb on the oil drain plug. Your wrench reads N.m.
25 ft.lb x 1.3558179483314004 = 33.8954
33.8954 N.m
Set the wrench to about 33.9 N.m.
Show-your-work check
Verify the converter: 88 ft.lb to N.m, longhand.
88 x 1.3558179483314004 = 119.3120
119.3120 N.m
Matches the converter's show-your-work line exactly.
Japanese manual in kgf.m
Spec: 12 kgf.m. Convert via N.m to ft.lb.
12 x 9.80665 = 117.6798 N.m; 117.6798 / 1.3558179483314004 = 86.7962
86.7962 ft.lb
About 86.80 ft.lb.
Where this tool sits
This is the N·m to ft·lb hub: direct conversion between the two most common torque units, plus a five-unit panel (N·m, ft·lb, in·lb, kgf·m, J).
- inch-lbs-to-nm: dedicated in·lb to N·m converter (adds ozf·in). Use it when your starting unit is inch-pounds.
- inch-pounds-to-foot-pounds: dedicated in·lb to ft·lb converter (exact ÷12). Use it for pure imperial inch-pound work.
- bolt-torque: computes required torque from bolt size, grade and K-factor (T=K·F·d). This page only converts units; it does not size bolts.
- electric-motor-torque: derives torque from horsepower and RPM. Different job entirely.
Cross links: inch-lbs-to-nm · inch-pounds-to-foot-pounds · bolt-torque · electric-motor-torque
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula to convert newton meters to foot pounds?
Divide newton meters by 1.3558179483314004, or multiply by 0.7375621492772654. Example: 100 N.m / 1.3558179483314004 = 73.7562149277265 ft.lb.
How do you convert ft lb to Nm?
Multiply foot pounds by 1.3558179483314004. Example: 100 ft.lb x 1.3558179483314004 = 135.5817948331400 N.m.
How many ft lb is 1 Nm?
1 N.m = 0.7375621492772654 ft.lb, usually rounded to 0.7375621493 (about 0.7376) ft.lb. Conversely 1 ft.lb = 1.3558179483314004 N.m.
Is a newton meter the same as a joule?
Numerically, yes: 1 N.m of torque equals 1 joule of energy, because both are force times distance. Physically they differ: torque is a rotational (vector) quantity, energy is scalar. The multi-unit panel on this page lists joules as the numeric equivalent.
What is the difference between ft lb and lb ft?
Nothing: ft.lb and lb.ft are the same unit written in different order. Both equal 1.3558179483314004 N.m. Torque wrenches may print either.
How do inch pounds relate to foot pounds?
12 in.lb = 1 ft.lb exactly. Example: 300 in.lb = 25 ft.lb = 33.8954487082850 N.m. For dedicated inch-pound work, see our inch-lbs-to-nm and inch-pounds-to-foot-pounds converters.
How many Nm is 1 kgf m?
1 kgf.m = 9.80665 N.m exactly (standard gravity). That is 7.2330138512099 ft.lb. Japanese and some European service manuals quote torque in kgf.m.
What is a typical wheel lug nut torque?
Most passenger cars specify 100 to 140 N.m (73.8 to 103.3 ft.lb) for wheel lug nuts. Always verify against your vehicle owner's manual; the value above is typical, not universal.
How do I set my torque wrench after converting?
Turn the wrench handle to the converted value, then pull slowly and smoothly until it clicks. Example: a US manual calling for 88 ft.lb means setting a metric wrench to 119.3 N.m.
Why do some manuals use ft lb and others use Nm?
US customary manuals use foot pounds; metric and SI manuals use newton meters. The exact bridge is 1 ft.lb = 1.3558179483314004 N.m, which is what this converter applies.
How precise should my conversion be?
Click-type torque wrenches are typically accurate to about plus or minus 3 to 4 percent, so 3 or 4 significant figures are plenty in the workshop. This tool offers 0 to 10 decimals for engineering use.
Does this tool calculate bolt torque from size and grade?
No. This page converts torque units only. To compute required torque from bolt diameter, grade and friction (T = K.F.d), use a dedicated bolt torque calculator such as our bolt-torque tool.
What is the difference between this converter and the inch pound converters?
This page is the N.m to ft.lb hub: direct conversion between the two most common torque units plus a five-unit panel (N.m, ft.lb, in.lb, kgf.m, J). inch-lbs-to-nm starts from inch pounds and adds ozf.in; inch-pounds-to-foot-pounds converts in.lb to ft.lb by the exact factor 12.
Is ft lb also a unit of energy?
Dimensionally, yes. 1 ft.lb = 1.3558179483314004 joules. Context decides whether a ft.lb figure means torque (tightening) or energy (work done).
Can torque be negative?
The sign only indicates rotation direction (clockwise vs counter-clockwise); the magnitude converts the same way. Enter a negative value and the converter handles it like any other number.
How accurate is this converter?
The factors come from exact SI definitions: 1 ft = 0.3048 m and 1 lbf = 4.4482216152605 N, giving 1 ft.lb = 1.3558179483314004 N.m with no lookup tables and full double precision. Results are rounded only for display.
Free tool by NRTechStudio