Torque Converter

About This Tool

This Torque Converter is a vital tool for mechanical engineers, automotive technicians, and physicists. Torque, or moment of force, is the measure of a force's ability to cause rotational motion around an axis. The base unit for all calculations is the newton meter (N·m), the standard SI unit for torque.

From tightening the bolts on an engine to designing robotic arms, understanding and converting torque values is fundamental. This tool bridges the gap between the SI standard (newton meter) and the imperial/U.S. customary units like pound-force foot (lbf·ft) and pound-force inch (lbf·in), which are prevalent in the United States.

Tips & Features

• The Newton Meter Standard: All torque units are converted by relating their value back to the newton meter (N·m). This is the torque from a one-newton force applied perpendicularly to a one-meter long lever arm.
• Torque vs. Work: While the units for torque (force × distance) are dimensionally equivalent to the units for work or energy (e.g., joules), they describe different physical concepts. Torque is a vector quantity that causes rotation, whereas work is a scalar quantity representing energy transfer. To avoid confusion, the unit 'joule' is not used for torque.
• Common Units: In the U.S. automotive industry, pound-force foot (lbf·ft) is the standard for engine torque ratings, while the smaller pound-force inch (lbf·in) is used for lighter applications. The newton meter (N·m) is the global standard in scientific and most modern engineering contexts.