Inch-Pound to Foot-Pound Conversion: Formula, Torque Chart and Examples
Updated 3 November 2026.
How do you convert inch-pounds to foot-pounds?
To convert inch-pounds to foot-pounds, divide the inch-pound value by 12, because one foot is 12 inches. For example, 240 in-lb divided by 12 equals 20 ft-lb. To convert the other way, multiply foot-pounds by 12. One foot-pound equals 1.35582 newton-metres, and one inch-pound equals 0.112985 newton-metres.
Torque values appear in inch-pounds, foot-pounds and newton-metres depending on who wrote the manual, which country the equipment came from and how large the fastener is. This guide gives you the exact conversion factors, worked examples you can check by hand, and reference tables for the values technicians use most often.
What inch-pounds and foot-pounds measure
Torque is a turning force. It equals the force applied multiplied by the distance from the pivot to the point where the force acts. An inch-pound (in-lb) is one pound of force acting one inch from the pivot. A foot-pound (ft-lb) is one pound of force acting one foot from the pivot.
Because one foot is 12 inches, one foot-pound is exactly 12 inch-pounds. The relationship is a definition, not a measurement, so the factor of 12 never changes. Newton-metres (N·m) are the SI unit of torque: one newton of force acting one metre from the pivot.
Inch-pound to foot-pound formula
Foot-pounds = inch-pounds ÷ 12
Inch-pounds = foot-pounds × 12
To include metric units:
Newton-metres = foot-pounds × 1.35582
Newton-metres = inch-pounds × 0.112985
Foot-pounds = newton-metres × 0.737562
Inch-pounds = newton-metres × 8.85075
Worked examples
Example 1: 300 in-lb to ft-lb
300 ÷ 12 = 25 ft-lb. In metric, 300 × 0.112985 = 33.90 N·m.
Example 2: 45 ft-lb to in-lb
45 × 12 = 540 in-lb. In metric, 45 × 1.35582 = 61.01 N·m.
Example 3: 85 in-lb to ft-lb
85 ÷ 12 = 7.08 ft-lb. Low values like this are usually specified in inch-pounds because a foot-pound wrench is too coarse to set them accurately. In metric, 85 × 0.112985 = 9.60 N·m.
Example 4: 200 N·m to ft-lb and in-lb
200 × 0.737562 = 147.5 ft-lb, and 200 × 8.85075 = 1,770 in-lb. Manuals for European and Asian equipment often give N·m, so this conversion is useful when a site only has an imperial torque wrench.
Example 5: setting an inch-pound wrench from a foot-pound specification
A specification calls for 18 ft-lb, but the only wrench that reads accurately in that range is scaled in inch-pounds. 18 × 12 = 216 in-lb. Set the wrench to 216 in-lb. The metric equivalent is 24.4 N·m.
Inch-pound to foot-pound conversion table
Values are rounded to three decimal places. Calculate directly from the formula when you need a value that is not listed.
| Inch-pounds (in-lb) | Foot-pounds (ft-lb) | Newton-metres (N·m) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.083 | 0.113 |
| 2 | 0.167 | 0.226 |
| 5 | 0.417 | 0.565 |
| 10 | 0.833 | 1.130 |
| 12 | 1.000 | 1.356 |
| 15 | 1.250 | 1.695 |
| 20 | 1.667 | 2.260 |
| 24 | 2.000 | 2.712 |
| 25 | 2.083 | 2.825 |
| 30 | 2.500 | 3.390 |
| 36 | 3.000 | 4.067 |
| 40 | 3.333 | 4.519 |
| 48 | 4.000 | 5.423 |
| 50 | 4.167 | 5.649 |
| 60 | 5.000 | 6.779 |
| 72 | 6.000 | 8.135 |
| 75 | 6.250 | 8.474 |
| 80 | 6.667 | 9.039 |
| 90 | 7.500 | 10.169 |
| 96 | 8.000 | 10.847 |
| 100 | 8.333 | 11.299 |
| 120 | 10.000 | 13.558 |
| 144 | 12.000 | 16.270 |
| 150 | 12.500 | 16.948 |
| 180 | 15.000 | 20.337 |
| 200 | 16.667 | 22.597 |
| 240 | 20.000 | 27.116 |
| 250 | 20.833 | 28.246 |
| 300 | 25.000 | 33.895 |
| 360 | 30.000 | 40.675 |
| 400 | 33.333 | 45.194 |
| 480 | 40.000 | 54.233 |
| 500 | 41.667 | 56.492 |
| 600 | 50.000 | 67.791 |
| 720 | 60.000 | 81.349 |
| 1,000 | 83.333 | 112.985 |
| 1,200 | 100.000 | 135.582 |
Foot-pound to inch-pound conversion table
| Foot-pounds (ft-lb) | Inch-pounds (in-lb) | Newton-metres (N·m) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | 1.36 |
| 2 | 24 | 2.71 |
| 3 | 36 | 4.07 |
| 5 | 60 | 6.78 |
| 10 | 120 | 13.56 |
| 15 | 180 | 20.34 |
| 20 | 240 | 27.12 |
| 25 | 300 | 33.90 |
| 30 | 360 | 40.67 |
| 35 | 420 | 47.45 |
| 40 | 480 | 54.23 |
| 45 | 540 | 61.01 |
| 50 | 600 | 67.79 |
| 60 | 720 | 81.35 |
| 75 | 900 | 101.69 |
| 80 | 960 | 108.47 |
| 100 | 1,200 | 135.58 |
| 120 | 1,440 | 162.70 |
| 150 | 1,800 | 203.37 |
| 200 | 2,400 | 271.16 |
| 250 | 3,000 | 338.95 |
| 300 | 3,600 | 406.75 |
| 400 | 4,800 | 542.33 |
| 500 | 6,000 | 677.91 |
Newton-metre to foot-pound conversion table
| Newton-metres (N·m) | Foot-pounds (ft-lb) | Inch-pounds (in-lb) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.74 | 8.9 |
| 5 | 3.69 | 44.3 |
| 10 | 7.38 | 88.5 |
| 20 | 14.75 | 177.0 |
| 25 | 18.44 | 221.3 |
| 50 | 36.88 | 442.5 |
| 100 | 73.76 | 885.1 |
| 150 | 110.63 | 1,327.6 |
| 200 | 147.51 | 1,770.1 |
| 250 | 184.39 | 2,212.7 |
| 500 | 368.78 | 4,425.4 |
| 1,000 | 737.56 | 8,850.7 |
Torque unit conversion factors
| From | To | Multiply by |
|---|---|---|
| in-lb | ft-lb | 0.0833333 (or divide by 12) |
| ft-lb | in-lb | 12 |
| in-lb | N·m | 0.112985 |
| ft-lb | N·m | 1.35582 |
| N·m | ft-lb | 0.737562 |
| N·m | in-lb | 8.85075 |
| kgf·m | N·m | 9.80665 |
| kgf·m | ft-lb | 7.23301 |
| in-oz | in-lb | 0.0625 (or divide by 16) |
Common mistakes when converting torque
Multiplying instead of dividing. Going from in-lb to ft-lb the number gets smaller. If your answer is larger than the figure you started with, you have multiplied by 12 instead of dividing.
Rounding too early. Convert once from the original figure and round only the final value, to the resolution of your wrench.
Mixing up torque and energy. Foot-pounds is also a unit of work. For torque, many engineers write lbf-ft to make the distinction clear. The conversion factor is the same.
Ignoring the lubrication condition. The same torque produces different bolt tension on dry and lubricated threads. Use the value the manufacturer gives for the condition stated in the manual.
Using a wrench outside its accurate range. Torque wrenches are least accurate at the bottom of their scale. Choose an inch-pound wrench for small values rather than setting a large foot-pound wrench near zero.
Why accurate torque matters on power generation equipment
Generator sets, gas turbines and their auxiliary systems rely on correctly tightened fasteners on cylinder heads, exhaust manifolds, couplings, flanges, busbar connections and mounting points. Under-tightened joints can loosen under vibration and thermal cycling. Over-tightened joints can stretch bolts, strip threads or crack castings. Either outcome can lead to leaks, misalignment or an unplanned outage.
Always work from the original equipment manufacturer’s maintenance manual and torque sequence. Convert units carefully, record the value and wrench used, and have critical joints checked. Disciplined procedures like these are part of how power plant operations and maintenance teams protect availability, and they matter just as much during power generation asset refurbishment and engine overhauls such as Caterpillar 3500 series maintenance.
Other engineering conversions
USP&E publishes a set of quick reference guides for engineers and site teams:
kW to amps conversion formulas
Generator sizing chart: kVA to amps
Fahrenheit to Celsius conversion chart
Gas pressure conversion data for natural gas generators
Frequently asked questions
How many inch-pounds are in a foot-pound?
There are exactly 12 inch-pounds in one foot-pound. A foot is 12 inches, so the same force applied at a lever arm one foot long produces 12 times the torque of that force applied at one inch.
How do you convert in-lb to ft-lb?
Divide the inch-pound value by 12. For example, 360 in-lb divided by 12 is 30 ft-lb. If you prefer to multiply, use the factor 0.0833333.
How do you convert ft-lb to in-lb?
Multiply the foot-pound value by 12. For example, 25 ft-lb multiplied by 12 is 300 in-lb.
How many newton-metres is one foot-pound?
One foot-pound equals 1.35582 newton-metres, and one newton-metre equals 0.737562 foot-pounds.
How many newton-metres is one inch-pound?
One inch-pound equals 0.112985 newton-metres, and one newton-metre equals 8.85075 inch-pounds.
Is ft-lb the same as lb-ft?
For torque, yes. Both describe a force in pounds acting at a distance in feet. Many engineers write lbf-ft or lb-ft for torque and reserve ft-lbf for work or energy, but the numerical conversion is the same.
Why do small fasteners use inch-pounds?
Small fasteners need low torque values. Writing 90 in-lb is clearer and easier to set on a small torque wrench than 7.5 ft-lb, so manufacturers often specify inch-pounds below roughly 20 ft-lb.
Should I round torque values when converting?
Round only at the end, and only to the resolution of your torque wrench. Converting through several units and rounding at each step adds error. Always check the converted figure against the manufacturer’s specification.
Work with USP&E
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