Nm to Ft-lbs Converter

How to convert newton-meters to foot-pounds

1 newton-meter = 0.7375621493 foot-pounds. To convert newton-meters to foot-pounds, divide by 1.355817948 (or multiply by 0.7375621493). A newton-meter is a force of one newton applied one meter from the pivot. A foot-pound (ft·lbf) is one pound-force applied one foot from the pivot, exactly 1.3558179483314 N·m.

Worked examples

• 25 newton-meters = 18.4391 ft·lb (25 ÷ 1.3558179)
• 110 newton-meters = 81.1318 ft·lb (110 ÷ 1.3558179)
• 300 newton-meters = 221.269 ft·lb (300 ÷ 1.3558179)

Where this conversion comes up

Newton-meters are used for torque wrench settings, engine and electric-motor specs outside the US; foot-pounds for lug nuts, engine torque and torque wrenches in the US. One newton-meter is 0.7376 foot-pounds. Torque specs in a metric manual convert this way: 110 N·m for lug nuts is 81 ft·lb, 25 N·m for a spark plug is 18 ft·lb. Small fasteners are often in inch-pounds (12 in·lb = 1 ft·lb).

Quick estimate

Multiply by 0.74, or take three quarters and subtract 1.7%.

Common mistakes

• Multiplying instead of dividing. A foot-pound is larger than a newton-meter, so the number of foot-pounds must come out smaller: 25 newton-meters = 18.4391 ft·lb.
• Rounding too early. Keep the full factor until the last step; rounding 0.738 to 0.74 first puts large values noticeably off.

Going the other way? Use the ft-lbs to nm converter.