Mechanics Converter
Convert torque specs for auto repair, bolts, and wrench work
A repair manual for your car specifies lug nut torque in Nm, but your torque wrench only reads ft-lb. Get the conversion wrong and you either strip a bolt or leave a wheel loose enough to fail.
Open the torque converter →1 Newton-Meter = 0.7376 Foot-Pound
These conversions are for general reference only. Always torque fasteners to the exact specification in your vehicle or equipment's service manual, and use a calibrated torque wrench for safety-critical components like wheels, suspension, and engine mounts.
Context
Torque specs matter because both over-tightening and under-tightening a fastener can cause real failures, from stripped threads to a wheel coming loose. American torque wrenches read in foot-pounds (ft-lb) or inch-pounds (in-lb). Manuals written for imported vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles specify newton-meters (Nm), the metric standard.
Small fasteners like spark plugs or bicycle stem bolts are often specified in the smaller in-lb unit, since a single ft-lb of over-torque can crack them. Larger fasteners like lug nuts or engine mounts use ft-lb or Nm depending on the manufacturer's home market.
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Why this matters
Torquing lug nuts to a metric spec
Your car's manual specifies 110 Nm for lug nuts, but your torque wrench is calibrated in ft-lb. You need the converted number before you tighten the wheels back on.
Working on a small fastener with an in-lb wrench
A motorcycle's spark plug spec is listed in Nm, but your precision torque wrench for small fasteners only reads in-lb.
Cross-checking a bolt spec from an imported part
A replacement part from an overseas manufacturer comes with a torque spec sheet in kgf-m, an older metric unit still used in some regions, and you need it in ft-lb to match your tools.
Comparing torque specs between two repair manuals
One manual for your engine lists valve cover torque in in-lb, another aftermarket guide lists the same bolt in Nm. You want to confirm both sources agree.
Frequently asked
My lug nuts are spec'd at 100 Nm. How many ft-lb is that? →
100 Nm is about 73.8 ft-lb. Use Nm to ft-lb for any wheel, suspension, or engine torque spec listed in newton-meters.
Why do small bolts use in-lb instead of ft-lb? →
In-lb gives finer resolution for delicate fasteners like spark plugs, valve covers, and electronics housings, where even 1-2 ft-lb of over-torque can crack a component. Use in-lb to Nm when a manual specifies a small fastener in inch-pounds.
What is kgf-m and why does it still show up on some spec sheets? →
Kilogram-force meter (kgf-m) is an older metric torque unit still found on some Japanese and older European equipment manuals, predating the wider adoption of Nm. Use kgf-m to Nm to convert it into the more common modern unit.
I over-tightened a bolt past the spec. What happens? →
Over-torquing can stretch or shear the fastener, strip the threads, or crack the component it's holding, especially on aluminum parts. Under-torquing risks the fastener loosening under vibration. Always match the exact spec from your service manual using ft-lb to Nm or the reverse conversion, and use a calibrated wrench rather than estimating by feel.