Ft-Lbs to Nm Converter
Enter a value and click Calculate to see the derivation.
Torque specifications cross the imperial/metric line constantly: a workshop manual prints one figure while the tool in your hand is marked in the other. This page handles the imperial-to-metric direction, enter any foot-pounds figure above to convert ft-lbs to Nm, along with six other torque units, and the working is shown step by step underneath. If you have seen the same measurement written as lb-ft to Nm, that is the identical conversion; the notation differs, the quantity does not. Going the other way? Use the Nm to ft-lbs converter instead.
How to Convert Ft-Lbs to Nm
To convert a torque value from foot-pounds to newton-meters, multiply the ft-lb figure by 1.3558. That factor is the exact number of newton-meters in one foot-pound (1.3558179483314003), derived from the international pound and the standard value of gravity, and it is the same constant the calculator on this page uses.
So 50 ft-lbs × 1.3558 = 67.79 Nm, and 100 ft-lbs × 1.3558 = 135.58 Nm. The reverse direction divides by the same number rather than multiplying.
For a mental shortcut, treat it as ×1.36, a newton-meter is the smaller unit, so the Nm figure always comes out about a third larger than the ft-lb figure you started with. Doubling a number and knocking off a third gets you close enough to sanity-check a reading before you reach for the exact value. For anything you are actually going to torque up, use the precise factor.
Ft-Lbs to Nm Conversion Table
Common foot-pound values with their newton-meter equivalents, rounded to two decimal places.
| Foot-pounds (ft-lbs) | Newton-meters (Nm) |
|---|---|
| 5 ft-lbs | 6.78 Nm |
| 10 ft-lbs | 13.56 Nm |
| 15 ft-lbs | 20.34 Nm |
| 20 ft-lbs | 27.12 Nm |
| 25 ft-lbs | 33.90 Nm |
| 30 ft-lbs | 40.67 Nm |
| 40 ft-lbs | 54.23 Nm |
| 50 ft-lbs | 67.79 Nm |
| 60 ft-lbs | 81.35 Nm |
| 70 ft-lbs | 94.91 Nm |
| 80 ft-lbs | 108.47 Nm |
| 90 ft-lbs | 122.02 Nm |
| 100 ft-lbs | 135.58 Nm |
| 120 ft-lbs | 162.70 Nm |
| 150 ft-lbs | 203.37 Nm |
Ft-Lbs to Nm FAQ
How many Nm is one foot-pound?
One foot-pound is approximately 1.36 Nm. The exact conversion factor is 1.3558179483314003 newton-meters per foot-pound, so 1 ft-lb ≈ 1.36 Nm for everyday work.
How do I convert ft-lbs to Nm?
Multiply the foot-pounds figure by 1.3558 to get newton-meters. For example, 50 ft-lbs × 1.3558 = 67.79 Nm. To go the other way, divide the Nm value by the same factor.
Is lb-ft the same as ft-lb?
Yes. lb-ft, lbf-ft and ft-lb all describe the same unit of torque, a force of one pound acting at a distance of one foot. The different notations are a matter of house style, not different quantities, so a torque spec written in lb-ft converts to Nm exactly the same way. Note that this is distinct from the foot-pound used as a unit of energy, despite sharing a name.
What is 100 ft-lbs in Nm?
100 ft-lbs equals 135.58 Nm. The calculation is 100 × 1.3558 = 135.58 newton-meters.