Torque specifications on a bolt, engine part, or torque wrench are commonly given in either newton-meters (metric) or foot-pounds (US customary) — this converts between the two.
How it works
Multiplying newton-meters by 0.7375621493 gives foot-pounds; dividing foot-pounds by that same constant gives newton-meters back.
What this does not include
This does not include inch-pounds, a smaller torque unit sometimes used for smaller fasteners — this calculator covers the foot-pound and newton-meter pairing only.
How to use this calculator
- Enter a value in either newton-meters or foot-pounds — the other field fills in automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Why does torque unit conversion matter so much for bolts?
Over-tightening a bolt using the wrong unit’s numeric value (reading a foot-pound spec as newton-meters, or vice versa) can strip threads or leave a fastener dangerously loose — the two units differ enough to matter.
What tools typically show these units?
Torque wrenches, especially ones sold internationally, often support switching between newton-meter and foot-pound readouts.
Is this the same as force, like pounds of push?
No — torque measures rotational force (a twisting effort around an axis), distinct from linear force like pounds of straight-line push or pull.
