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To convert from Pound-inch (lbf-in) to Newton-meter (Nm), use the following formula:
Newton-meter (Nm)
= 112 × 1.355818× Pound-inch (lbf-in)
= 0.11298483333333333333× Pound-inch (lbf-in)
With 1.355818 is the ratio between the base units Newton-meter (Nm) and Pound-foot (lbf-ft).
Let's convert 5 Pound-inch (lbf-in) to Newton-meter (Nm).
Using the formula:
5 × 0.11298483333333333333 = 0.56492416666666666665
Therefore, 5 Pound-inch (lbf-in) is equal to 0.56492416666666666665 Newton-meter (Nm).
How many pound-inches are in one newton-meter? One Newton-meter (Nm) contains 8.8507454540358661708 Pound-inches (lbf-in) — the inverse of the factor above. Multiplying by 0.11298483333333333333 takes you from pound-inches to newton-meters; multiplying by 8.8507454540358661708 brings you back.
Put in words: one pound-inch equals 0.11298483333333333333 newton-meters, so the pound-inch 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 pound-inch (lbf·in) is one pound-force applied at one inch from the axis of rotation. It is the small-torque companion to the pound-foot.
Many fasteners are tightened to far less than one pound-foot. Writing "0.4 lbf·ft" invites a decimal-point error on a shop floor; writing "5 lbf·in" does not. Small-torque work therefore uses inch units almost exclusively.
Torque screwdrivers and small click wrenches are graduated in lbf·in for exactly this range.
Confusing lbf·in with lbf·ft applies twelve times the intended torque. On a 5 lbf·in electrical terminal this shears the screw or crushes the conductor. Always check which unit the specification uses before setting a wrench.
| From | To | Multiply by |
|---|---|---|
| lbf·in | N·m | 0.112985 |
| lbf·in | lbf·ft | 0.0833333 |
| lbf·in | ozf·in | 16 |
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 Pound-inch (lbf-in) to Newton-meter (Nm):
| Pound-inches | Newton-meters |
|---|---|
| 0.000001 lbf-in | 1.1298483333333333333× 10-7 Nm |
| 0.001 lbf-in | 0.00011298483333333333333 Nm |
| 0.1 lbf-in | 0.011298483333333333333 Nm |
| 1 lbf-in | 0.11298483333333333333 Nm |
| 2 lbf-in | 0.22596966666666666666 Nm |
| 3 lbf-in | 0.33895449999999999999 Nm |
| 4 lbf-in | 0.45193933333333333332 Nm |
| 5 lbf-in | 0.56492416666666666665 Nm |
| 6 lbf-in | 0.67790899999999999998 Nm |
| 7 lbf-in | 0.79089383333333333331 Nm |
| 8 lbf-in | 0.90387866666666666664 Nm |
| 9 lbf-in | 1.0168635 Nm |
| 10 lbf-in | 1.1298483333333333333 Nm |
| 20 lbf-in | 2.2596966666666666666 Nm |
| 30 lbf-in | 3.3895449999999999999 Nm |
| 40 lbf-in | 4.5193933333333333332 Nm |
| 50 lbf-in | 5.6492416666666666665 Nm |
| 100 lbf-in | 11.298483333333333333 Nm |
| 1000 lbf-in | 112.98483333333333333 Nm |
| 10000 lbf-in | 1129.8483333333333333 Nm |
For all Torque converters, choose units using the From/To dropdowns above.