Newton Meter Calculator
Enter a torque value and choose your source unit to convert it to newton-meters and every other common torque unit at once. The calculator also works in reverse: pick any target unit as the input and read off the N·m equivalent. Use it for automotive, engineering, and physics applications.
What is a newton-meter?
A newton-meter (N·m) is the SI unit of torque, defined as the moment produced by a force of one newton acting perpendicularly at a distance of one meter from a pivot point. It is dimensionally identical to the joule (the SI unit of energy), but the two quantities are conceptually different: torque is a vector quantity describing a rotational tendency, while energy is a scalar. In engineering documents, the abbreviation N·m or Nm is standard; you may also see it written as N.m or N-m. Newton-meters are the default unit in automotive specifications from European manufacturers and in ISO-standard engineering drawings worldwide.
How to convert newton-meters to other units
Every torque unit conversion is a simple multiplication or division by a fixed factor. To go from N·m to foot-pounds (lbf·ft), divide by 1.3558; to get inch-pounds (lbf·in), divide by 0.11299; to reach kilogram-force meters (kgf·m), divide by 9.80665. Running the calculation the other way, multiply lbf·ft by 1.3558, lbf·in by 0.11299, or kgf·m by 9.80665 to recover N·m. This calculator applies those exact factors simultaneously to all 15 output units so you can read every equivalent at a glance.
Newton-meters vs. foot-pounds: when to use each
Most automotive workshop manuals from European and Asian manufacturers specify torque in N·m, while American manuals and roadside torque wrenches are typically marked in lbf·ft (foot-pounds force). The relationship is 1 lbf·ft = 1.3558 N·m. When tightening a bolt specified at 150 N·m, that equals roughly 110.6 lbf·ft. Inch-pounds (lbf·in) are used for smaller, lighter fasteners such as cylinder-head cover bolts and electronic module screws, where a full foot-pound would be coarse. 1 N·m equals 8.85 lbf·in, so a 5 N·m specification becomes about 44 lbf·in.
Common torque values as reference points
Knowing a few benchmark torques helps you sanity-check unfamiliar specifications. A typical M6 steel bolt in a general engineering application is torqued to about 10 N·m (7.4 lbf·ft). An M10 bolt reaches roughly 47 N·m (34.7 lbf·ft). Passenger-car lug nuts usually fall in the 100-130 N·m (74-96 lbf·ft) range. Large truck wheel nuts run to 400-600 N·m (295-443 lbf·ft). Diesel engine connecting-rod bolts may specify 100 N·m plus an additional angle (torque-to-yield method). These are only broad guidelines: always follow the manufacturer specification for safety-critical fasteners.
Torque unit conversion quick reference
| Unit | Symbol | Factor (from 1 N·m) | System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newton-meter | N·m | 1 | SI |
| Kilonewton-meter | kN·m | 0.001 | SI |
| Newton-centimeter | N·cm | 100 | SI |
| Newton-millimeter | N·mm | 1000 | SI |
| Kilogram-force meter | kgf·m | 0.101972 | Metric |
| Kilogram-force cm | kgf·cm | 10.1972 | Metric |
| Gram-force meter | gf·m | 101.972 | Metric |
| Foot-pound force | lbf·ft | 0.737562 | Imperial |
| Inch-pound force | lbf·in | 8.85075 | Imperial |
| Ounce-force foot | ozf·ft | 11.8008 | Imperial |
| Ounce-force inch | ozf·in | 141.612 | Imperial |
| Dyne-centimeter | dyn·cm | 10,000,000 | CGS |
| Poundal-foot | pdl·ft | 23.7304 | FPS |
All values relative to 1 newton-meter (1 N·m). Multiply N·m by the factor to convert.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert N·m to lbf·ft (foot-pounds)?
Divide the newton-meter value by 1.3558. For example, 100 N·m divided by 1.3558 equals about 73.76 lbf·ft. Alternatively, multiply by 0.7376. This is the most common torque conversion in automotive work, since European specs are in N·m and many US torque wrenches are calibrated in lbf·ft.
Is a newton-meter the same as a joule?
Dimensionally yes: both equal 1 kg·m²/s². However, a joule describes energy (a scalar), while a newton-meter describes torque (a vector moment). In engineering it is conventional to reserve "joule" for energy and "N·m" for torque to avoid confusion in equations and specifications.
What is the difference between lbf·ft and ft·lbf?
They mean exactly the same thing: pound-force times foot. The order of the symbols is a matter of convention. US torque wrenches, automotive manuals, and SAE standards typically write it as ft-lb or ft·lbf; some older texts write lbf·ft. The numerical value is identical.
How do I convert N·m to lbf·in (inch-pounds)?
Multiply the N·m value by 8.8507. For example, 5 N·m equals about 44.25 lbf·in. Inch-pounds appear in specs for small fasteners and electronics where a foot-pound would be too coarse a graduation.
What is a kilogram-force meter (kgf·m) and how does it relate to N·m?
One kgf·m is the torque produced by a force equal to the weight of 1 kilogram acting at 1 meter. Because the standard gravitational acceleration is 9.80665 m/s², 1 kgf·m equals 9.80665 N·m. Older European vehicle manuals, especially from the 1960s-1990s, often list torque in kgf·m; divide those values by 9.80665 (or multiply by 0.101972) to get N·m.