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Inch-Pounds to Newton-Meters: Torque Converter

Convert pound-force inches and newton-meters with an editable comparison for other torque units.

  • Formula & worked example
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Calculator inputs

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How to use this calculator

  1. Enter the known values in the units shown. Results update as you type.
  2. Where results are editable, change one to solve backwards. Lock a value to hold it fixed.
  3. Use the worked example to check the method. Reset restores the starting fields.

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Inputs and results stay in this browser tab. Bookify does not upload or store the values you enter.

Formula and method

12 lbf·in equals one lbf·ft or exactly 1.3558179483314004 N·m. One lbf·in equals 0.1129848290276167 N·m.

N·m = lbf·in × 0.1129848290276167; lbf·ft = lbf·in ÷ 12

Worked example

Enter these known values and leave the other values blank.

Torque in pound-force inches
12 lbf·in
Torque in newton-meters
1.3558 N·m
Torque in another selected unit
1.3558 J/rad

Assumptions and limitations

  • The pound in lbf·in and lbf·ft means pound-force, not pound-mass. The exact force definition uses the international pound and standard gravity of 9.80665 m/s².
  • These are representations of a torque. A numeric unit conversion does not determine a safe fastener tightening torque, clamping force or material limit.
  • Torque can be signed relative to a chosen rotation direction. Zero and negative values are supported. Extra displayed digits do not improve measurement accuracy.
  • One N·m equals one J/rad in the torque interpretation. Torque and energy have related dimensions but represent different physical quantities.
  • The optional ton-force units distinguish metric tonnes (1,000 kg), US short tons (2,000 lb) and imperial long tons (2,240 lb). Their moment arm is one meter.
  • The poundal-foot option uses the absolute poundal force unit. It is not a synonym for pound-force foot.

Common questions

Can I convert in the opposite direction?

Yes. Enter the known value in any editable field. The other representations update in their selected units; changing a unit preserves the physical quantity.

Are inch-pounds and foot-pounds interchangeable?

They differ by a factor of 12. A reading of 12 lbf·in is one lbf·ft; treating it as 12 lbf·ft would multiply the torque by 12.

References

Pound-force inches use the exact international pound and inch with standard gravity. Pound-force feet use the exact international pound and foot with standard gravity. Kilogram-force centimeters use standard gravity and exactly one centimeter. Kilogram-force meters use standard gravity exactly, replacing a rounded reciprocal. Metric tonne-force meters use exactly 1000 kilograms and standard gravity. US short-ton-force meters use exactly 2000 international pounds and standard gravity. Imperial long-ton-force meters use exactly 2240 international pounds and standard gravity. Poundal feet use exactly one international pound times the square of the international foot per second squared.

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