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Multiple conversions
To convert from Newton-meter (Nm) to Centinewton-meter (cNm), use the following formula:
Centinewton-meter (cNm)
= 100× Newton-meter (Nm)
To convert from Newton-meter (Nm) to Decinewton-meter (dNm), use the following formula:
Decinewton-meter (dNm)
= 10× Newton-meter (Nm)
To convert from Newton-meter (Nm) to Kilogram-meter (kgm), use the following formula:
Kilogram-meter (kgm)
= 19.806649999787735× Newton-meter (Nm)
= 0.10197162130000000063× Newton-meter (Nm)
To convert from Newton-meter (Nm) to Kilogram-centimeter (kg-cm), use the following formula:
Kilogram-centimeter (kg-cm)
= 10.09806649999787735× Newton-meter (Nm)
= 10.197162130000000063× Newton-meter (Nm)
To convert torque from newton-meters (N·m) to pound-feet (lbf·ft), divide by 1.355818.
The factor combines the two imperial definitions involved: one pound-force is 4.44822 N, and one foot is 0.3048 m, so 4.44822 × 0.3048 = 1.355818.
A workshop manual specifies a wheel nut at 110 N·m and your torque wrench reads in pound-feet:
Torque figures are safety-critical. A wheel nut, cylinder head bolt or suspension fastener that is 35% under-torqued — the error you get by using the newton-meter number directly on a pound-foot wrench — can work loose in service. The same mistake in reverse over-torques by the same margin and can stretch or snap the fastener.
Always confirm which scale your wrench is set to before applying the number.
| Newton-meters | Pound-feet |
|---|---|
| 10 N·m | 7.38 lbf·ft |
| 25 N·m | 18.4 lbf·ft |
| 100 N·m | 73.8 lbf·ft |
| 200 N·m | 147.5 lbf·ft |
A rough field check: multiply by 0.74, or take three quarters and subtract a touch.
To convert from Newton-meter (Nm) to Pound-inch (lbf-in), use the following formula:
Pound-inch (lbf-in)
= 11.355818 × 12× Newton-meter (Nm)
= 8.8507454540358661708× Newton-meter (Nm)
With 11.355818 is the ratio between the base units Pound-foot (lbf-ft) and Newton-meter (Nm).
To convert from Newton-meter (Nm) to Ounce-inch (ozf-in), use the following formula:
Ounce-inch (ozf-in)
= 11.355818 × 10.005208333271755643× Newton-meter (Nm)
= 141.61192893883987621× Newton-meter (Nm)
With 11.355818 is the ratio between the base units Pound-foot (lbf-ft) and Newton-meter (Nm).
A newton-meter (N·m) is the SI unit of torque — the twisting force that makes something rotate. One newton-meter is produced when a force of one newton acts at a perpendicular distance of one metre from the axis of rotation.
The distance matters as much as the force. Pushing on a spanner with 20 N at 0.5 m from the bolt gives 10 N·m. The same 20 N applied through a spanner twice as long gives 20 N·m — identical effort, double the turning effect. This is why a breaker bar loosens a bolt that a short wrench cannot.
The distance is always measured perpendicular to the line of the force. Pulling at an angle reduces the effective lever arm and therefore the torque.
Both work out to the same base units (kg·m²/s²), but they describe different things and must never be interchanged:
Standards keep them apart deliberately: energy is written in J, torque in N·m.
| Torque | Typical example |
|---|---|
| 5 N·m | bicycle stem bolt |
| 25 N·m | car spark plug |
| 110 N·m | car wheel nut |
| 400 N·m | family car engine peak |