What is torque and how is it measured?

Torque is the rotational equivalent of force - it measures the twisting force that causes rotation. SI unit: Newton-meters (N*m). US: pound-feet (lb-ft) or pound-inches (lb-in). Formula: torque = force x distance from pivot. Example: pushing a 10N force at 0.5m from a bolt = 5 N*m.

How do I convert lb-ft to N-m?

Multiply pound-feet by 1.35582 to get Newton-meters. Examples: 100 lb-ft = 135.58 N*m, 200 lb-ft = 271.16 N*m, 400 lb-ft = 542.32 N*m. Reverse: N*m x 0.7376 = lb-ft.

What is typical engine torque for different vehicles?

Engine torque ranges: Economy cars = 100-200 N*m (74-148 lb-ft), Sedans = 200-350 N*m, Sports cars = 350-600 N*m, Trucks = 400-700 N*m, Electric vehicles: Tesla Model S Plaid = 1,420 N*m (1,047 lb-ft) at the wheels, Semi trucks = 1,000-2,000 N*m.

What is the difference between torque and horsepower?

Torque measures rotational force (lb-ft or N*m). Horsepower measures the rate of doing work (power). They are related: HP = (torque lb-ft x RPM) / 5,252. At 5,252 RPM, torque in lb-ft equals horsepower. Diesel engines make high torque at low RPM; gasoline sports engines make high HP at high RPM.

Torque Converter

Convert between N·m, lbf·ft, kgf·m, ozf·in and more torque units.

About Torque Units

Torque is a rotational force, the product of force and the perpendicular distance from the axis. The SI unit is the Newton-meter (N·m). In automotive engineering, pound-force foot (lbf·ft) is common in the US. Kilogram-force meter (kgf·m) is used in older engineering texts.

Quick Reference Table

Unit	In N·m
1 lbf·ft	1.35582 N·m
1 lbf·in	0.11298 N·m
1 kgf·m	9.80665 N·m
1 kgf·cm	0.09807 N·m
1 ozf·in	0.00706 N·m

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Understanding Torque Units

Torque is rotational force. The SI unit is Newton-metres (N·m). In the US, pound-feet (lb·ft) and pound-inches (lb·in) are common for automotive and fastener applications. Car engine torque (e.g., "400 lb·ft at 4,500 RPM") indicates pulling power at a given speed. Power and torque are related by P = τ × ω — an engine producing 300 lb·ft at 5,000 RPM generates approximately 285 horsepower.

Torque Conversion Reference

Unit	N·m	Use
1 lb·ft	1.35582	US automotive specs
1 lb·in	0.11298	Small fasteners
1 kgf·m	9.80665	Older metric specs
1 oz·in	0.00706	RC vehicles, small motors

Torque vs Power — Understanding the Difference

Torque and power are related but distinct. Torque is rotational force; power is how fast that force does work. A diesel truck engine produces massive torque (1,500–2,000 N·m) at low RPM for pulling heavy loads. A Formula 1 engine produces moderate torque but at extremely high RPM, generating over 700 kW. The formula is P (kW) = τ (N·m) × ω (rad/s) / 1000. A wrench applies torque; tightening it quickly means more power. This is why electric motors (peak torque at 0 RPM) accelerate faster off the line than combustion engines.