What is moment of force (torque)?

Moment of force, commonly called torque, is a measure of the turning or twisting effect a force has around a pivot point. It equals the force applied multiplied by the perpendicular distance from the pivot to the line of action of the force.

How do I convert N·m to lbf·ft?

Divide the newton-meter value by 1.3558179483, or multiply it by about 0.737562. For example, 30 N·m equals roughly 22.13 lbf·ft.

What is 1 pound-force-foot in newton-meters?

1 pound-force-foot (lbf·ft) equals exactly 1.3558179483 newton-meters.

Why does the angle matter in a torque calculation?

Only the component of force perpendicular to the lever arm produces rotation, so torque equals force times distance times the sine of the angle between them. A force applied at 90 degrees (perpendicular) produces the maximum torque; a force applied along the lever arm itself, at 0 degrees, produces none.

What's the difference between moment of force and moment of inertia?

Moment of force, or torque, is the twisting effect of a force, measured in units like N·m. Moment of inertia is an object's resistance to changes in rotational speed, measured in units like kg·m². The two are related by τ = Iα, but they measure different things and are never interchangeable.

How many N·cm are in a N·m?

1 newton-meter equals exactly 100 newton-centimeters.

What is a kip-foot used for?

A kip-foot equals 1,000 pound-force-feet and is used in US structural and civil engineering to keep large bending moment and torque calculations in more manageable numbers.

Is kgf·m the same unit torque wrenches use?

Many torque wrenches, especially older or non-US models, are marked in kgf·m or kgf·cm alongside or instead of N·m. They measure the same physical quantity, so converting between them is a straightforward unit conversion.

Is this calculator accurate enough for engineering use?

The underlying conversion factors are exact and internationally standardized, so the math itself is reliable. For torque-critical applications like fastener specifications, always follow the manufacturer's stated value and tolerance rather than a converted approximation.

Is this moment of force converter free to use?

Yes, it is completely free, requires no registration, and runs entirely in your browser with no usage limits.

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Moment of Force Conversions

11 units · torque calculator

Moment of Force (Torque) Converter

Convert instantly between newton-meters, pound-force-feet, kilogram-force-meters, ounce-force-inches and more, then calculate torque directly from a force, lever arm length and angle — all calculated in your browser.

11Torque units

1.3558N·m in 1 lbf·ft

0msServer round-trips

From

lbf·ft

To

N·m

1.3558179483N·m

N·m = lbf·ft × 1.3558179483

Force

Force unit

Lever arm

Length unit

Angle (°)

Show torque in

15 N·m

τ = F × r × sinθ = 50 N × 0.3 m × sin(90°) = 15 N·m

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Torque concepts & formulas

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Quick conversion table

Common values for your selected units in the converter above, updated automatically.

Pound-Force-Foot	Newton-Meter

Moment of force unit reference

What each unit means, its exact size in newton-meters, and where you'll typically see it used.

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Frequently asked questions

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