A torque specification
100 N·m is about 73.756215 lbf·ft. At a 0.25 m perpendicular lever arm, the corresponding ideal force is 400 N.
Convert a moment of force
Force units are explicit: lbf is pound-force, kgf is kilogram-force. Signed torque values are supported.
Converted amount
100 newton meters (N·m)
pound-force feet (lbf·ft)
400newtons at your lever arm
89.9235772pounds-force at your lever arm
A conversion does not establish a safe tightening specification. Use the equipment maker’s specified procedure and torque.
Equivalent units
| Unit | Amount |
|---|---|
| newton meters (N·m) | 100 |
| newton centimeters (N·cm) | 10,000 |
| millinewton meters (mN·m) | 100,000 |
| kilonewton meters (kN·m) | 0.1 |
| pound-force feet (lbf·ft) | 73.7562149 |
| pound-force inches (lbf·in) | 885.074579 |
| ounce-force inches (ozf·in) | 14,161.1933 |
| kilogram-force meters (kgf·m) | 10.1971621 |
| kilogram-force centimeters (kgf·cm) | 1,019.71621 |
Displayed values are rounded. CSV uses the available JavaScript numeric precision; it cannot restore precision absent from the input.
Calculations and CSV generation run locally in your browser. No measurement data is uploaded by this tool.
How to use the Torque Converter
- 01
Enter a signed torque amount and select the source and target torque units. lbf and kgf refer to force, not mass.
- 02
Enter a positive perpendicular lever arm in meters for the force estimate. The arm must be the distance from the pivot to the force’s line of action.
- 03
Read the conversion and estimated force. Copy the result or export the torque-equivalent table for your notes.
Examples
Inch-pounds and foot-pounds
12 lbf·in equals 1 lbf·ft. The same force acting through twelve inches has the same moment as acting through one foot.
A kilogram-force unit
1 kgf·m equals 9.80665 N·m. The kilogram-force is defined using standard gravity and is distinct from a kilogram of mass.
Torque conversion through newton meters
Each listed unit is expressed as a factor of N·m. For pound-force units, the calculation uses the international pound’s mass and standard gravity, then the international inch or foot for the lever distance. This keeps force and length conventions consistent across lbf·in and lbf·ft.
Lever length and applied force
For perpendicular force, torque magnitude equals force times lever arm. The force estimate divides signed torque by a positive arm. If force is applied at another angle, the perpendicular distance is shorter than the physical handle length. Extensions and adapters may also change the effective arm; that geometry is not inferred here.
Torque is not an energy reading
Torque and energy share the same base dimensions, but they describe different quantities. A torque value alone does not tell you the work done without an angular displacement. Use a torque unit label such as N·m for a moment of force rather than interpreting the number as an energy in joules.
What to know
- No tightening recommendation, fastener-strength calculation, adapter correction, or torque-wrench calibration is performed.
- The auxiliary force model assumes a rigid lever and a perpendicular applied force.
- Decimal and scientific notation are supported; commas and unit text are not. Calculations use JavaScript floating-point numbers and displayed results are rounded.
Common questions
Is lb-ft the same as lbf·ft?
Torque specifications often abbreviate pound-force feet as lb-ft. This tool writes lbf·ft explicitly so the force meaning is clear. Check the original specification if its notation is ambiguous.
Can I enter a negative torque?
Yes. The sign is preserved and can indicate opposite rotation under your chosen axis convention. The diagram-free force estimate uses the same sign.
Does this choose a safe tightening torque?
No. It converts a value you already have. Required torque depends on the equipment, fastener, lubrication, procedure, and other factors specified by its manufacturer.
Can the lever arm be zero?
No. A nonzero torque cannot be produced by finite perpendicular force at zero distance from the pivot. Enter a positive arm.