Nm to lb-ft Converter
Convert torque between newton-metres and pound-feet instantly, both directions.
Convert torque between newton-metres (Nm) and pound-feet (lb-ft) — the two most common torque units. Useful whenever you compare a European engine spec with a US one, or set a torque wrench.
Conversion Formula
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the torque in newton-metres.
- Read the pound-feet result instantly.
Common Conversions
| Newton-metres | Pound-feet |
|---|---|
| 100 | 73.8 |
| 200 | 147.5 |
| 300 | 221.3 |
| 400 | 295.0 |
| 500 | 368.8 |
What Torque Units Measure
Both newton-metres and pound-feet measure torque — a rotational, or twisting, force. One newton-metre is one newton of force applied at the end of a one-metre lever; one pound-foot is one pound of force at the end of a one-foot lever. They describe the same physical quantity, just in metric vs imperial units, which is why converting between them is a simple fixed factor.
When You Need This Conversion
Torque conversion comes up constantly: comparing a European engine's Nm rating against a US engine's lb-ft, setting a torque wrench whose scale differs from the spec, or reading fastener torque values in a service manual. Note that lb-ft (pound-feet, a torque unit) is different from ft-lb of work — though numerically identical, the order signals torque vs energy by convention.
Worked Example
Frequently Asked Questions
Multiply newton-metres by 0.7376. For example, 400 Nm × 0.7376 = 295 lb-ft.
Multiply pound-feet by 1.3558. For example, 300 lb-ft × 1.3558 = 407 Nm.
The US uses pound-feet (imperial) while Europe uses newton-metres (metric/SI). They measure the same thing, just in different units.
A newton-metre is smaller — one lb-ft equals about 1.36 Nm, so torque numbers in Nm are larger than the same torque in lb-ft.
Both exist. US wrenches are often marked in lb-ft (or in-lb for small values), while metric wrenches use Nm. Convert before tightening to spec.