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To convert from Kilogram-centimeter (kg-cm) to Newton-meter (Nm), use the following formula:
Newton-meter (Nm)
= 0.09806649999787735× Kilogram-centimeter (kg-cm)
Let's convert 5 Kilogram-centimeter (kg-cm) to Newton-meter (Nm).
Using the formula:
5 × 0.09806649999787735 = 0.49033249998938675
Therefore, 5 Kilogram-centimeter (kg-cm) is equal to 0.49033249998938675 Newton-meter (Nm).
How many kilogram-centimeters are in one newton-meter? One Newton-meter (Nm) contains 10.197162130000000063 Kilogram-centimeters (kg-cm) — the inverse of the factor above. Multiplying by 0.09806649999787735 takes you from kilogram-centimeters to newton-meters; multiplying by 10.197162130000000063 brings you back.
Put in words: one kilogram-centimeter equals 0.09806649999787735 newton-meters, so the kilogram-centimeter is the smaller unit of this pair. Converting between them never changes the amount of torque being measured — only the size of the unit you count it in.
A kilogram-centimeter (kgf·cm) is one kilogram-force acting at one centimetre from the axis. It is one hundredth of a kilogram-meter.
If you have ever bought a hobby servo, you have seen this unit. Servo torque is published almost universally in kgf·cm — a common 9 g micro servo is rated around 1.8 kgf·cm, a standard-size servo around 10–20 kgf·cm.
The rating tells you how much weight the servo can hold at a given arm length: 10 kgf·cm means it can just support 10 kg at 1 cm from the shaft, or 1 kg at 10 cm, or 0.5 kg at 20 cm. Doubling the arm halves the load it can hold.
| From | To | Multiply by |
|---|---|---|
| kgf·cm | N·m | 0.0980665 |
| kgf·cm | kgf·m | 0.01 |
| kgf·cm | lbf·in | 0.867962 |
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 |
Here are some quick reference conversions from Kilogram-centimeter (kg-cm) to Newton-meter (Nm):
| Kilogram-centimeters | Newton-meters |
|---|---|
| 0.000001 kg-cm | 9.806649999787735× 10-8 Nm |
| 0.001 kg-cm | 0.00009806649999787735 Nm |
| 0.1 kg-cm | 0.009806649999787735 Nm |
| 1 kg-cm | 0.09806649999787735 Nm |
| 2 kg-cm | 0.1961329999957547 Nm |
| 3 kg-cm | 0.29419949999363205 Nm |
| 4 kg-cm | 0.3922659999915094 Nm |
| 5 kg-cm | 0.49033249998938675 Nm |
| 6 kg-cm | 0.5883989999872641 Nm |
| 7 kg-cm | 0.68646549998514145 Nm |
| 8 kg-cm | 0.7845319999830188 Nm |
| 9 kg-cm | 0.88259849998089615 Nm |
| 10 kg-cm | 0.9806649999787735 Nm |
| 20 kg-cm | 1.961329999957547 Nm |
| 30 kg-cm | 2.9419949999363205 Nm |
| 40 kg-cm | 3.922659999915094 Nm |
| 50 kg-cm | 4.9033249998938675 Nm |
| 100 kg-cm | 9.806649999787735 Nm |
| 1000 kg-cm | 98.06649999787735 Nm |
| 10000 kg-cm | 980.6649999787735 Nm |
For all Torque converters, choose units using the From/To dropdowns above.