Torque is a rotational force — this calculates it from a linear force applied at a distance from a pivot point.
How it works
Force is multiplied by the lever-arm distance from the pivot to give torque, assuming the force is applied perpendicular to the lever arm.
What this does not include
This does not include converting torque into horsepower at a given rotational speed — for that, use this site’s torque to horsepower calculator instead.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the force applied and the distance from the pivot point.
A worked example
A 50 N force applied at a 0.3 m lever arm: torque = force × distance = 50 × 0.3 = 15 N·m.
A 100 N force at 0.5 m: torque = 50 N·m.
What the variables mean
| Variable | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Force | Applied force, perpendicular to the lever arm |
| Distance | Lever arm length — distance from the pivot to where force is applied |
Edge cases worth knowing
Torque scales with the lever arm, not just the applied force. A wrench extension lets a smaller force produce the same torque as a larger force on a shorter handle — the entire reason longer wrenches make bolts easier to turn.
A distance of zero produces zero torque regardless of force — a force applied exactly at the pivot point has no leverage to rotate anything.
Frequently asked questions
What’s a real-world example of torque?
Turning a wrench — the same force produces more torque (and loosens a bolt more easily) the farther out on the handle it’s applied.
What happens if the force isn’t perpendicular to the lever arm?
Only the perpendicular component of the force contributes to torque — this calculator assumes a fully perpendicular force, the simplest and most common case.
What are the units of torque?
Newton-meters (N·m) in SI units — the same units as energy, though torque and energy are conceptually different quantities.
