Torque Converter

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Nm • ft-lb • in-lb • kg-m • dyne-cm

Torque Value ⓘ

From

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Enter a torque value to convert

How to Use the Torque Converter

Enter a torque value — e.g. 100 for a 100 Nm engine spec, or 25 for a 25 ft-lb lug nut.
Select From unit — Nm (European/metric specs), ft-lb (US car specs), in-lb (small fasteners), or kg-m (older Japanese specs).
Read the result — all common units show at once. 1 ft-lb = 12 in-lb = 1.3558 Nm.
Use the correct unit — torque wrenches are labeled in either ft-lb or Nm. Always match your spec sheet to avoid over/under-tightening.

Benefits

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Automotive Specs

US repair manuals list torque in ft-lb; imported cars use Nm. Convert lug nut, head bolt, and spark plug specs accurately.

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Small Fasteners

Electronics and bike components use inch-pounds. 1 ft-lb = 12 in-lb — easy to mistake and strip threads if confused.

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Engineering

Mechanical engineers convert between SI (Nm) and imperial (ft-lb) torque for design specs and international collaboration.

Torque Conversion Guide — Nm, ft-lb, in-lb Explained

Torque is rotational force, and the most common conversion in the USA is between newton-meters (Nm) and foot-pounds (ft-lb): 1 ft-lb = 1.355818 Nm, and 1 Nm = 0.737562 ft-lb. This matters constantly in automotive work — US repair manuals and torque wrenches typically use ft-lb, while manufacturer specs for imported and modern vehicles increasingly use Nm. Get it wrong and you risk stripping threads (over-torque) or parts loosening (under-torque). For example, a typical lug nut spec of 100 ft-lb equals 135.6 Nm.

Smaller fasteners — bicycle components, electronics, and precision assemblies — are specified in inch-pounds (in-lb), where 1 ft-lb = 12 in-lb. A spec of 89 in-lb equals 7.4 ft-lb or 10 Nm. Older Japanese vehicles and some industrial equipment use kilogram-force meters (kg-m), where 1 kg-m = 9.807 Nm = 7.233 ft-lb. Always match your torque wrench's unit to the spec, or convert precisely before tightening critical fasteners like cylinder head bolts, which follow exact torque sequences.

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Common Auto Torque Specs

Lug nuts: 80–100 ft-lb (108–135 Nm). Spark plugs: 15–25 ft-lb (20–34 Nm). Oil drain plug: 25–35 ft-lb. Brake caliper bolts: 25–45 ft-lb. Always check your specific vehicle manual.

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Bicycle Torque (in-lb)

Stem bolts: 40–60 in-lb. Seatpost clamp: 50–70 in-lb. Disc brake rotor: 55 in-lb. Carbon parts especially require a precise in-lb torque wrench to avoid cracking.

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Quick Conversions

10 Nm = 7.38 ft-lb. 25 Nm = 18.4 ft-lb. 50 Nm = 36.9 ft-lb. 100 Nm = 73.8 ft-lb. 150 Nm = 110.6 ft-lb. 200 Nm = 147.5 ft-lb.

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Torque vs Power

Torque (Nm/ft-lb) is rotational force; power (HP/kW) is the rate of doing work. They're related: HP = (Torque × RPM) / 5252. Don't confuse them when reading engine specs.

Torque Conversion FAQ

How many Nm in a ft-lb? ▾

1 foot-pound (ft-lb) = 1.355818 newton-meters (Nm). Conversely, 1 Nm = 0.737562 ft-lb. Common conversions: 50 ft-lb = 67.8 Nm, 80 ft-lb = 108.5 Nm, 100 ft-lb = 135.6 Nm, 150 ft-lb = 203.4 Nm. Most US torque wrenches read in ft-lb, so if your import car's manual lists 108 Nm for lug nuts, set your wrench to about 80 ft-lb.

How many inch-pounds in a foot-pound? ▾

There are exactly 12 inch-pounds (in-lb) in 1 foot-pound (ft-lb), because there are 12 inches in a foot. So 89 in-lb = 7.4 ft-lb, and 25 ft-lb = 300 in-lb. Inch-pounds are used for small, delicate fasteners where ft-lb would be too coarse — bicycle stems, electronics, and small engine components.

What torque should lug nuts be? ▾

Most passenger vehicles specify 80–100 ft-lb (108–135 Nm) for lug nuts, but it varies by vehicle — always check your owner's manual. Trucks and SUVs may require 120–150 ft-lb. Over-torquing can warp brake rotors and stretch studs; under-torquing risks a wheel coming loose. Tighten in a star/crisscross pattern in two stages.

Why do European and US car specs use different torque units? ▾

Europe and most of the world use the metric SI system, where torque is measured in newton-meters (Nm). The US traditionally uses imperial units, so foot-pounds (ft-lb) are standard in American repair manuals and torque wrenches. Modern global automakers increasingly publish specs in Nm even for the US market, so converting accurately (1 ft-lb = 1.3558 Nm) is essential for DIY mechanics.