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Torque Converter

Science

Convert torque units instantly — newton-metres, foot-pounds, kilogram-force metres, and more. Perfect for car specs, fastener tightening, and engineering.

Reviewed by the thecalcu.com team · Last updated July 3, 2026

From
To
All conversionsfor 1 Newton-metres (N·m)
Newton-metres (N·m)1
Kilonewton-metres (kN·m)0.001
Kilogram-force metres (kgf·m)0.10197162
Kilogram-force cm (kgf·cm)10.197162
Foot-pounds (lbf·ft)0.73756215
Inch-pounds (lbf·in)8.8507458

What is a Torque?

A Torque Converter translates torque measurements between the unit systems used in automotive engineering, mechanical design, structural fastening, and motor specifications, newton-metres (N·m), kilonewton-metres (kN·m), kilogram-force metres (kgf·m), kilogram-force centimetres (kgf·cm), foot-pounds (lbf·ft), and inch-pounds (lbf·in).

Torque is the rotational equivalent of force, the tendency of a force applied at a distance from a pivot to cause rotation. It is calculated as force multiplied by the perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation (the moment arm). The SI unit is the newton-metre (N·m), but historical and regional conventions mean that at least five other units remain in active professional use.

In India, torque is most visibly encountered in automotive contexts. Every car brochure lists peak engine torque in N·m. Service manuals specify fastener tightening torques in N·m. Older vehicles, and Japanese-origin datasheets from manufacturers like Honda and Yamaha from the 1980s–90s, often list values in kgf·m. American automotive media and imported US-spec vehicles use lbf·ft. An Indian mechanic working across all these sources needs to convert fluently.

Beyond automotive, torque appears in structural bolt pre-tensioning (IS 4000 uses N·m), motor datasheet comparisons, gearbox selection, and robotics actuator sizing. Electric vehicles, currently expanding rapidly in India, deliver torque from zero RPM, making torque specification as important as power for EV performance evaluation.

For related mechanical quantities, see the Force Converter for the force component and the Power Converter for the energy-per-time relationship.

Why Use a Torque Converter?

Three scenarios generate most torque conversions in the Indian context:

Automotive servicing: Workshop manuals for Indian-assembled vehicles follow IS and SI standards in N·m. Manuals for imported American motorcycles (Harley-Davidson, Indian) or American-spec SUVs specify in lbf·ft. A mechanic without a converter either risks over- or under-tightening critical fasteners.

International spec comparison: An automotive journalist comparing a 300 N·m Indian diesel engine against a US car review that quotes 220 lbf·ft needs the conversion: 220 × 1.35582 = 298 N·m, essentially the same engine.

Older vehicle maintenance: Bajaj, Enfield, and Mahindra service literature from the 1980s–90s specifies torque in kgf·m. A 4 kgf·m value = 4 × 9.807 = 39.2 N·m, not the same as 4 N·m, which is the mistake made without conversion.

Who Should Use This Converter?

Automotive mechanics and service technicians following torque specifications from manuals that mix N·m, lbf·ft, and kgf·m depending on the vehicle's origin and service manual vintage.

Car enthusiasts and DIY mechanics tightening wheel lugs, head bolts, and suspension fasteners to correct specifications when modifying or maintaining Indian cars with parts sourced internationally.

Mechanical and manufacturing engineers specifying fastener pre-tension, comparing motor torque ratings across suppliers, and sizing gearboxes for Indian industrial applications.

EV engineers and technicians evaluating electric motor torque specifications from Chinese, American, and European suppliers in different unit systems for India's growing EV manufacturing sector.

Robotics and automation engineers sizing servo motors and linear actuators where torque is specified in N·m, kgf·cm, or oz·in (ounce-inch, common in hobby servo specs). Pair with the Force Converter for actuator force calculations.

What Insights Does the Torque Converter Give You?

The reference table shows all 6 torque units simultaneously. Entering 350 N·m (a typical Indian diesel car's peak torque) immediately displays: 0.35 kN·m, 35.69 kgf·m, 3,569.4 kgf·cm, 258.1 lbf·ft, 3,097.4 lbf·in, the complete cross-unit picture.

Practical torque scale:

  • < 5 N·m: small electronics fasteners, sensor connections, spark plugs
  • 5–50 N·m: small engine fasteners, bicycle components, motorcycle controls
  • 50–250 N·m: car engine fasteners, wheel lugs, medium motor output
  • 250–1,000 N·m: car peak engine torque, large motor ratings
  • 1–10 kN·m: truck and commercial vehicle engines, wind turbine shafts
  • > 10 kN·m: large industrial machinery, ship propulsion, heavy cranes

How to use this Torque calculator

  1. Select your source unit from the FROM dropdown, e.g. Newton-metres (N·m).
  2. Enter your value, e.g. 350 for a diesel engine's peak torque.
  3. Select your target unit from the TO dropdown, e.g. Foot-pounds (lbf·ft).
  4. The result appears instantly, 350 N·m = 258.1 lbf·ft.
  5. Use ⇅ to swap FROM and TO with one click.
  6. View the reference table to see your torque in all 6 units at once.
  7. Copy the URL to share or bookmark the conversion.

Formula & Methodology

All units convert to and from newton-metres (N·m) using exact multipliers:

| Unit | Symbol | N·m (toBase) |
|---|---|---|
| Newton-metre | N·m | 1 (base) |
| Kilonewton-metre | kN·m | 1,000 |
| Kilogram-force metre | kgf·m | 9.80665 (exact standard gravity) |
| Kilogram-force centimetre | kgf·cm | 0.0980665 (= 9.80665 ÷ 100) |
| Foot-pound-force | lbf·ft | 1.3558179483 (= 0.45359237 × 9.80665 × 0.3048) |
| Inch-pound-force | lbf·in | 0.11298482903 (= lbf·ft ÷ 12) |

Conversion formula: Result = Input × (F_from ÷ F_to)

Derivation of lbf·ft:
1 lbf·ft = 1 pound-force × 1 foot
= (0.45359237 kg × 9.80665 m/s²) × 0.3048 m
= 4.44822162 N × 0.3048 m
= 1.35581795 N·m

Worked example, fastener tightening:

An American service manual specifies cylinder head bolts to 75 lbf·ft. The Indian mechanic's torque wrench reads in N·m.

75 lbf·ft × 1.35582 N·m/lbf·ft = 101.7 N·m

Set the torque wrench to 102 N·m.

Common torque reference values:

| Application | Torque |
|---|---|
| Spark plug (petrol car) | 15–25 N·m |
| Wheel lug nut (Indian car) | 85–120 N·m |
| Tata Nexon diesel (peak) | 260 N·m |
| Mahindra Scorpio diesel (peak) | 360 N·m |
| Royal Enfield 650 Twin (peak) | 52 N·m = 38.4 lbf·ft |
| Tata Nexon EV (electric motor) | 245 N·m from 0 RPM |

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Frequently Asked Questions

A torque converter (in the unit-conversion sense) is a tool that translates a torque value between different units, such as from newton-metres (N·m) to foot-pounds (lbf·ft), or from kilogram-force metres (kgf·m) to N·m. Torque is a rotational force, the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis. It appears in car engine specifications, bolt tightening procedures, motor datasheets, and structural fastener standards.
Newton-metres (N·m) is the SI unit of torque: 1 N·m is the torque produced by a 1-newton force applied at 1 metre from the pivot. Foot-pounds (lbf·ft) is the imperial unit: 1 lbf·ft is the torque from a 1 pound-force applied at 1 foot from the pivot. The conversion is 1 lbf·ft = 1.35582 N·m. Indian car brochures typically list engine torque in N·m, while American automotive media uses lbf·ft, the same figure in different units.
Popular Indian cars span a wide torque range. Small hatchbacks like the Maruti Swift 1.2L petrol produce about 113 N·m (83 lbf·ft). The Hyundai Creta 1.5L diesel delivers 250 N·m (184 lbf·ft). The Mahindra Thar diesel produces 300 N·m (221 lbf·ft). Performance vehicles like the Kia Seltos 1.4T produce 242 N·m (179 lbf·ft). Larger SUVs and pickup trucks typically deliver 350–500 N·m. For reference, 1 N·m ≈ 0.738 lbf·ft.
Multiply lbf·ft by 1.35582 to get N·m. For example, an American motorcycle specification of 80 lbf·ft = 80 × 1.35582 = 108.5 N·m. To convert N·m to lbf·ft, divide by 1.35582 (or multiply by 0.73756). This conversion is needed daily by Indian automotive journalists translating American press releases, and by mechanics working on imported American motorcycles and ATVs.
Fastener torque specifications vary by bolt grade, size, and application. An M10 Grade 8.8 bolt is typically tightened to 45–50 N·m; an M12 Grade 8.8 bolt to 80–90 N·m. Spark plugs in most petrol cars require 15–25 N·m. Wheel lug nuts on Indian passenger cars are typically torqued to 85–120 N·m. American-specification fasteners in lbf·ft or lbf·in require conversion, an inch-pound (lbf·in) is 1/12 of a foot-pound = 0.11298 N·m.
Torque is a rotational force (N·m); power is the rate of work done (watts). They are related by: Power = Torque × Angular velocity. In formula: P (W) = T (N·m) × ω (rad/s). At 3,000 RPM (= 314.16 rad/s), an engine producing 150 N·m delivers 150 × 314.16 = 47,124 W = 47.1 kW. High torque at low RPM gives strong low-speed pulling power; high power at high RPM gives top speed. Diesel engines favour torque; petrol engines favour power. See the [Power Converter](/power-converter/) for power unit conversions.
Kilogram-force metre (kgf·m) is the torque from a 1 kgf (= 9.80665 N) force at 1 metre, equal to 9.80665 N·m. It was the standard torque unit in the older metric gravitational system, still common in older Indian engineering drawings, some Japanese technical documents, and automotive data from the 1970s–1990s. 1 kgf·m ≈ 9.807 N·m. Older Maruti and Bajaj manuals list torque in kgf·m, so mechanics still need this conversion when following original service literature.
Select your source unit from the FROM dropdown, for example, 'Newton-metres (N·m)'. Enter your value, such as 350 for a diesel engine's peak torque. Choose your target unit from the TO dropdown, for example, 'Foot-pounds (lbf·ft)'. The result appears instantly: 350 N·m = 258.1 lbf·ft. Use the ⇅ swap button to reverse, and view the reference table to see your torque in all 6 units simultaneously.
Inch-pounds (lbf·in) is 1/12 of a foot-pound, equal to 0.11298 N·m. It is used for small fastener torque specifications, particularly in electronics, small engines, and precision instruments where foot-pounds would be too coarse a unit. A motorcycle engine's cam cover bolt might require 8 lbf·in (0.90 N·m). Torque wrenches for small fasteners are often graduated in lbf·in or its metric equivalent (N·cm or N·mm).
Torque scales enormously across applications. A 10 mm Allen key applied with 20 N hand force at 0.1 m = 2 N·m. A car wheel lug nut is torqued to ~100 N·m. A car engine peaks at 150–500 N·m. A large wind turbine gearbox sees input torques of 2,000–5,000 kN·m. ISRO rocket turbopumps operate at extreme torque-speed combinations. Bridge bearing bolts may be pre-tensioned to several kN·m. This converter handles all these scales within a single interface.
The maximum torque an engine produces determines the size of the clutch plate, gearbox shafts, and driveshaft required. Indian commercial vehicles (Tata, Ashok Leyland, Mahindra) have heavy-duty transmissions sized for engine torques of 400–1,800 N·m. The trend toward higher-torque diesel and electric powertrains in India's EV transition requires proportionally stronger drivetrain components. Electric motors, which produce peak torque from zero RPM, impose different but often larger peak loads than equivalent combustion engines.
Electric motors produce their maximum torque from zero RPM, while petrol engines build torque across an RPM band, peaking typically between 2,000 and 4,500 RPM. An Ola S1 Pro electric scooter produces 58 N·m from standstill. The Tata Nexon EV delivers 245 N·m immediately available from rest. In contrast, the equivalent petrol Nexon peaks at 170 N·m at 3,500 RPM. This instant-torque characteristic makes EVs feel quicker off the line despite sometimes lower peak power figures. See the [Force Converter](/force-converter/) for the underlying force concepts.
Also known as
Nm to lb-ftnewton metre to foot poundtorque unit conversionft-lb to Nmkgf-m to Nmtorque unit calculatorlb-ft to Nmwrench torque converterengine torque converter