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Newton-Meters to Foot-Pounds

Although foot-pound (ft-lb) is commonly used for torque, the word order should be reserved for work and energy. The correct unit name for torque is the pound-force foot (lbf.ft), or pound-foot (lb-ft), where pound is a unit of force. Learn more
Use this conversion tool to convert between newton-meters (Nm) and pound-feet (lb-ft), both of which are units of work, energy or torque.

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Table of contents:

How to convert newton-meters (Nm) to pound-feet

One Newton meter/metre (Nm) = 0.7376 lbf.ft (frequently expressed as ft-lb or foot pounds, but technically lbf.ft is correct) representing 1 lbf acting at 1 ft from the centre of rotation. To convert your Nm figure to lbf.ft, simply multiply it by 0.7376.

Note: We express pound force as lbf in the definition above in order to distinguish it from lb mass, but it can also be written as lb-ft. The use of ft/lb for torque is incorrect, although frequently seen and quoted in magazines.

Pound-feet and foot-pounds

There has been much debate around whether it is correct to use foot-pounds when referring to torque, with the term "pound-foot" being proposed to reduce confusion with foot-pound, a unit of work. This terminology was suggested by British physicist Arthur Mason Worthington in his 1900 book 'Dynamics of Rotation' while he was a professor of physics at the Royal Naval Engineering College in Devonport.

In an article on EngineLabs, Greg Acosta explains why pound-feet (or pound-force foot) is the correct term to use, referencing the industry standard adopted by the Society of Automotive Engineers:

The industry standard for measuring an engine’s power output is SAE Standard J1349, which is the standard adopted by SAE to specify a basis for net engine power and torque ratings. “SAE standard J1349, Table 1 lists the units of measure used in the standard as “N-m or lb-ft” for torque and “kW or hp” for the horsepower ratings,” says Gary W. Pollak, P.E., Program Manager for the Society of Automotive Engineers. 2

Newton-meters and pound-feet are both units of torque in the International System of Units. Torque is a measure of the rotational force that causes an object to turn about an axis. 3

If your calculation involves inch-pounds and foot pounds for energy, you can convert between inch-pounds and foot-pounds here.

The chart below features some of the most common torque conversions for newton-meters (Nm) and pound-feet.

Newton-meters to pound-feet chart

Newton-meters Pound-feet
1 Nm0.738 lb-ft
2 Nm1.475 lb-ft
3 Nm2.213 lb-ft
4 Nm2.950 lb-ft
5 Nm3.688 lb-ft
6 Nm4.425 lb-ft
7 Nm5.163 lb-ft
8 Nm5.900 lb-ft
9 Nm6.638 lb-ft
10 Nm7.376 lb-ft
Newton-meters Pound-feet
10 Nm7.376 lb-ft
20 Nm14.751 lb-ft
30 Nm22.127 lb-ft
40 Nm29.502 lb-ft
50 Nm36.878 lb-ft
60 Nm44.254 lb-ft
70 Nm51.629 lb-ft
80 Nm59.005 lb-ft
90 Nm66.381 lb-ft
100 Nm73.756 lb-ft
200 Nm147.512 lb-ft
300 Nm221.269 lb-ft
400 Nm295.025 lb-ft
500 Nm368.781 lb-ft
600 Nm442.537 lb-ft
700 Nm516.294 lb-ft
800 Nm590.050 lb-ft
900 Nm663.806 lb-ft
1000 Nm737.562 lb-ft
Note: conversions are rounded to max 3 decimal places.

How to convert pound-feet to newton-meters (Nm)

One pound-foot (lb-ft) is equal to 1.356 newton-meters (Nm). To convert pound-feet to newton-meters, multiply your figure by 1.356.

Again, note that we express pound force as lbf to distinguish it from lb mass.

Pound-feet to newton-meters chart

Pound-feet Newton-meters
1 lb-ft1.356 Nm
2 lb-ft2.712 Nm
3 lb-ft4.067 Nm
4 lb-ft5.423 Nm
5 lb-ft6.779 Nm
6 lb-ft8.135 Nm
7 lb-ft9.491 Nm
8 lb-ft10.847 Nm
9 lb-ft12.202 Nm
10 lb-ft13.558 Nm
20 lb-ft27.116 Nm
30 lb-ft40.675 Nm
40 lb-ft54.233 Nm
50 lb-ft67.791 Nm
60 lb-ft81.349 Nm
70 lb-ft94.907 Nm
80 lb-ft108.465 Nm
90 lb-ft122.024 Nm
100 lb-ft135.582 Nm
150 lb-ft203.373 Nm
200 lb-ft271.164 Nm
250 lb-ft338.954 Nm
300 lb-ft406.745 Nm
Note: conversions are rounded to max 3 decimal places.

For any figures not represented in our Nm and lb-ft chart, please use the converter at the top of the page.

Calculator by Alastair Hazell.

References

  1. A.M Worthington. Dynamics of Rotation.
  2. EngineLabs. Pound-feet or foot-pounds–which one is it?.
  3. Khan Academy. What is torque?.