Torque Converter
Convert between torque units: newton metres, foot pounds, inch pounds and more, instantly. No signup. Ideal for mechanics, engineering, cars and DIY.
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This torque converter turns any torque between units, newton metres, foot pounds, inch pounds and more, directly in your browser. Enter a value and its unit, and see the equivalent in others. No account, no install, so you can convert torque for mechanics, engineering and DIY on any device in seconds.
How to Convert Torque Units Step by Step
- Enter the torque. Type the torque value you want to convert into the input field, such as a specification for tightening a bolt or an engine figure.
- Choose the starting unit. Select the unit your torque is in, whether newton metres, foot pounds, inch pounds, or another torque unit.
- Convert to other units. The tool converts your torque into the other units, showing the equivalent values so you can see the torque expressed however you need.
- Read the equivalents. See your torque in the relevant units at once, letting you understand and compare it across metric and imperial units.
- Use the converted value. Apply the converted torque to your mechanical, engineering, or DIY task, working in whichever unit your tools or specification use.
What Torque Is and How It Is Measured
Torque is a measure of rotational or twisting force, such as the force applied when tightening a bolt or produced by an engine. It is measured in units that combine force and distance: newton metres in the metric system, and foot pounds and inch pounds in the imperial system. These different units reflect the metric and imperial systems, both common in mechanical and engineering contexts, so converting between them is often needed.
The metric unit, the newton metre, and the imperial units, foot pounds and inch pounds, relate by specific conversion factors that are not round numbers. Within imperial, foot pounds and inch pounds relate by the factor between feet and inches, while converting between the metric newton metre and the imperial units involves a specific factor. These non round factors make torque conversions fiddly to do by hand and easy to get wrong.
Torque conversion matters particularly because torque specifications must often be followed accurately, such as tightening bolts to a specified torque. Specifications and torque wrenches may use metric or imperial units, so if your specification is in one and your tool in another, you must convert accurately to apply the correct torque. Getting this wrong could mean over or under tightening, with real consequences, which is why accurate conversion matters.
Torque converters are used by mechanics, engineers, car enthusiasts, and anyone doing DIY involving torque specifications. Because torque appears in both metric and imperial units, and specifications must be followed precisely, a converter that handles the units accurately is genuinely useful. It ensures you can apply the correct torque whatever units your specification and tools use, avoiding the errors that come from the fiddly, non round conversion factors between torque units.
Metric Versus Imperial Torque Units
| Unit | System | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Newton metre | Metric | The metric torque unit |
| Foot pound | Imperial | Common for larger torques |
| Inch pound | Imperial | For smaller torques |
| Converting | Between systems | Non round factors, use a converter |
Who Uses a Torque Converter
Pro Tips for Torque Conversions
Common Torque Conversion Mistakes to Avoid
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert between torque units?
Enter your torque value and select its unit, whether newton metres, foot pounds, inch pounds or another, and the tool converts it into the other units, showing the equivalent values. This lets you express a torque in whatever unit you need and compare it across metric and imperial units. Since the conversion factors are specific and not round numbers, the converter applies them exactly, giving accurate results. This matters especially for torque, since specifications such as tightening bolts must often be followed precisely, and an inaccurate conversion could mean over or under tightening.
What is torque and how is it measured?
Torque is a measure of rotational or twisting force, such as the force applied when tightening a bolt or produced by an engine. It is measured in units that combine force and distance: newton metres in the metric system, and foot pounds and inch pounds in the imperial system. These reflect the metric and imperial systems, both common in mechanical and engineering contexts. Because torque appears in both systems, and the units relate by specific factors, converting between them is often needed, particularly since torque specifications must frequently be followed precisely with tools that may use either system.
What is the difference between metric and imperial torque units?
The metric torque unit is the newton metre, while the imperial units are foot pounds and inch pounds. Within imperial, foot pounds and inch pounds differ by the factor between feet and inches, with foot pounds used for larger torques and inch pounds for smaller ones. Converting between the metric newton metre and the imperial units involves a specific, non round conversion factor. Both systems are common in mechanical and engineering contexts, so you may encounter torque specifications and tools in either, making accurate conversion between the metric and imperial torque units important for applying the correct torque.
Why does accurate torque conversion matter?
Because torque specifications must often be followed precisely, such as tightening bolts to a specified torque, and specifications or torque wrenches may use metric or imperial units. If your specification is in one unit and your tool in another, you must convert accurately to apply the correct torque. Getting this wrong could mean over tightening, which can damage or break components, or under tightening, which can leave fasteners loose, both with real consequences. This is why accurate torque conversion matters: the converter applies the specific, non round factors exactly, so you apply the correct torque as specified rather than a wrong value from an estimate.
What is the difference between foot pounds and inch pounds?
Foot pounds and inch pounds are both imperial torque units, but they differ by the factor between feet and inches, so a torque in foot pounds is a much larger value in inch pounds, or conversely a much smaller number. Foot pounds are typically used for larger torques, while inch pounds are used for smaller ones. It is important to be clear which unit a torque specification uses, since confusing foot pounds and inch pounds would give a badly wrong torque, potentially over or under tightening by a large factor. So always check which imperial unit a specification is in before converting or applying it.
How do I follow a torque spec with a different unit wrench?
If your torque specification is in a different unit than your torque wrench, convert the specification to your wrench's units using the converter, then set and apply that converted torque. For example, if a specification is in newton metres but your wrench reads in foot pounds, convert the newton metre figure to foot pounds and set your wrench accordingly. Because torque must be applied precisely, use the converter for an accurate conversion rather than estimating, and double check the figure before tightening, especially for critical fasteners, so you apply exactly the specified torque with your tool.
Who needs a torque converter?
Torque converters are used by mechanics, engineers, car enthusiasts, and anyone doing DIY involving torque specifications. Mechanics convert torque when a specification and their wrench use different systems. Engineers convert between metric and imperial torque in specifications and calculations. Car enthusiasts convert torque figures for working on vehicles. People doing DIY convert specifications to match their tools. Anyone with a torque specification in one unit and tools in another uses conversion to follow it accurately. Because torque appears in both systems and must often be applied precisely, a converter is genuinely useful for all these mechanical and engineering needs.
Is the torque converter free?
Yes, it is completely free with no account and no usage limit. You can convert as many torque values between units as you like, as often as you like, at no cost. It runs entirely in your browser on any device, so there is nothing to download or install, and the equivalent torques in other units appear instantly whenever you enter a value and choose its unit, helping with mechanics, engineering, cars and DIY torque conversions accurately.