Nm to Ft-Lbs and Inch-Lbs Torque Converter
Torque converted three ways at once, with the common fastener specs already worked out.
Enter a number.
Why Google gives the wrong answer for Nm to inch pounds
Search for that phrase and Google's own answer box currently returns a figure in the tens of millions. It is reading nm as nanometer, a unit of length, rather than Nm as newton-meter, a unit of torque. The capitalization carries the meaning: N is the symbol for newton, n is the prefix nano.
If a converter gives you a wildly large number for a torque spec, this is almost always why.
The formulas
in-lb = Nm × 8.8507458
1 ft-lb = 12 in-lb (exact)
Both multipliers are rounded values derived from exact definitions of the pound-force and the foot. Factors per the NIST Guide to the SI, Appendix B, where factors printed in boldface are exact and the rest are rounded to the digits shown.
Some pages ranking for this conversion publish 0.72756 as the foot-pound factor. That figure is wrong. The correct value is 0.7375621.
Torque conversion table
| Newton-meters | Foot-pounds | Inch-pounds |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Nm | 3.69 | 44.3 |
| 8 Nm | 5.90 | 70.8 |
| 10 Nm | 7.38 | 88.5 |
| 12 Nm | 8.85 | 106.2 |
| 15 Nm | 11.06 | 132.8 |
| 20 Nm | 14.75 | 177.0 |
| 25 Nm | 18.44 | 221.3 |
| 35 Nm | 25.81 | 309.8 |
| 40 Nm | 29.50 | 354.0 |
| 50 Nm | 36.88 | 442.5 |
| 60 Nm | 44.25 | 531.0 |
| 80 Nm | 59.00 | 708.1 |
| 100 Nm | 73.76 | 885.1 |
| 120 Nm | 88.51 | 1062.1 |
| 150 Nm | 110.63 | 1327.6 |
| 200 Nm | 147.51 | 1770.1 |
Reading a torque spec
Converting a number isn't the same as calibrating a tool. A torque wrench that reads in ft-lb still needs to be accurate, and a converted figure inherits whatever precision the original spec had. If a manual gives 25 Nm, treat 18.4 ft-lb as the target rather than 18.44.
For a specific vehicle or component, use the figure in your own service manual. Torque specs vary by trim, thread condition, and whether the fastener is lubricated, so a general chart isn't a substitute.
Common questions
How many foot-pounds is 25 Nm?
25 newton meters is 18.44 foot-pounds, or 221.3 inch-pounds. The factor is 0.7375621 for foot-pounds and 8.8507458 for inch-pounds. Watch the capital N: nm with a lower-case n is the nanometer, a unit of length, not torque.
What is the exact Nm to ft-lb conversion factor?
One newton-meter equals 0.7375621 foot-pounds. Some pages publish 0.72756, which is incorrect. The inch-pound factor is 8.8507458.
Why does Google give a huge number for Nm to inch pounds?
Google's inline answer reads nm as nanometer rather than Nm as newton-meter, so it returns a length conversion instead of a torque one. The capital N matters: Nm is newton-meter, nm is nanometer.
When are inch-pounds used instead of foot-pounds?
Inch-pounds are normal for small fasteners, electronics, and bicycle components, where a foot-pound figure would be an awkward fraction.
Related converters and guides
Sources
- NIST Guide to the SI, Appendix B: Conversion Factors. National Institute of Standards and Technology. Source for every conversion factor on this page. NIST prints exact factors in boldface and rounds the rest to the digits shown, which is the convention this site follows.
- Google search results for "nm to inch pounds" and "nm to ft lbs", observed August 2026. Source for two claims on this page: that Google's answer box reads nm as nanometer, and that a page currently ranking for this term publishes 0.72756 as the foot-pound factor. Both were true on that date and either could change.