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Torque Converter: lb-ft, N·m, lb-in, kgf·m, With Fastener Context

Convert torque between lb-ft, N·m, lb-in, and kgf·m, and see which common bolt grades and sizes land in that range. Not a bare unit box: cross-referenced against the same verified bolt torque dataset as the torque calculator.

Converted

lb-ft

50.00

N·m

67.79

lb-in

600.00

kgf·m

6.91

Roughly the torque of

  • Grade 5 7/16-14, dry
  • Grade 2 1/2-13, dry
  • Class 8.8 M12, lubed
  • Grade 8 7/16-14, lubed
  • Grade 2 9/16-12, lubed

For an exact figure with the formula shown, use the bolt torque calculator.

This is a rough cross-reference, not a torque specification. The fastener matches above are approximate (within 10% of your converted value) and assume default dry/lubed conditions from the torque calculator. When a fastener or joint has a manufacturer's torque spec, use that instead.

Common conversion factors

FromToMultiply by
lb-ftN·m1.35582
N·mlb-ft0.73756
lb-ftlb-in12
lb-inlb-ft0.08333
kgf·mN·m9.80665
kgf·mlb-ft7.23301
Fastener cross-reference drawn from the same verified dataset as the bolt torque chart and calculator (Machinery's Handbook, 31st ed., Torque and Tension in Fasteners, p.1653-1655; metric proof stresses per ISO 898-1). Unit conversion factors are standard SI/USC definitions. Last verified: 2026-07-18.

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Why this is more than a unit box

Converting lb-ft to N·m is a one-line formula, and plenty of generic converters already do it. What most of them don't do is tell you anything useful about the number once you have it. This converter cross-references your converted value against the same verified bolt torque dataset behind the bolt torque chart and calculator, so a figure like 50 lb-ft comes back not just as "67.8 N·m" but as roughly which common bolt grades and sizes actually get torqued to that range. That context is the point.

The four units, and where each shows up

lb-ft (pound-feet) and N·m (newton-meters) are the two units most torque wrenches and most published specs use for standard fastener sizes, roughly 1/4" and up or M6 and up. lb-in (pound-inches) is the same US customary unit at a finer scale, common for small fasteners like electronics enclosures, instrument panels, and small machine screws, where a spec in lb-ft would read as an awkward fraction. kgf·m (kilogram-force meters) is an older metric unit that predates the newton as the standard metric force unit; it still turns up in some older manuals and equipment documentation, particularly from manufacturers that used kilogram-force units before standardizing on SI.

Reading the fastener cross-reference

The matches shown are existing rows from the bolt torque dataset whose dry or lubed torque value lands within about 10% of your converted figure, not a calculation specific to your exact number. Treat it as an intuition check, "oh, that's roughly what a 1/2-13 Grade 8 needs dry", not as a substitute for looking up or calculating the actual spec for the fastener you're working with. If nothing appears, your value is either well outside the common range this dataset covers, or falls in a gap between the specific grades and sizes it lists.

Typical torque wrench ranges

Small clicker or beam wrenches for electronics and light assembly work commonly cover roughly 10 to 150 lb-in. General automotive and shop wrenches typically cover about 10 to 150 lb-ft, which spans the range most passenger-vehicle wheel, suspension, and engine fasteners fall into. Larger 1/2" and 3/4" drive wrenches extend well past 250 lb-ft for structural and heavy equipment work. Matching the wrench's rated range to the actual fastener, not just to whatever wrench is on hand, matters for accuracy: a wrench used near the bottom or top of its range is typically less accurate than one used in its middle third.

Converting is the easy part

The arithmetic in this converter is exact and simple; multiplying by a constant is not where torque specs go wrong. Where they go wrong is applying the right number to the wrong condition, a dry-assumed spec used on a lubricated bolt, or the wrong unit read off a spec sheet from a manufacturer using different conventions than the tool in your hand. Always confirm which unit a spec is actually written in before converting it, and treat any fastener match here as a rough sanity check, not a substitute for the manufacturer's actual torque specification when one exists.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert lb-ft to N·m?

Multiply by 1.3558179483. 50 lb-ft equals about 67.8 N·m. To go the other way, divide N·m by the same factor. This converter does the math for both directions plus lb-in and kgf·m at once.

What is the difference between lb-ft and lb-in?

They measure the same thing, torque, at two different scales: 1 lb-ft equals 12 lb-in. Larger fasteners are usually specified in lb-ft (or N·m), while small fasteners like electronics or instrument screws are often specified in lb-in (or N·cm) because the numbers in lb-ft would be awkwardly small.

Is kgf·m still used for torque specs?

Less commonly than lb-ft or N·m today, but it still shows up in older manuals and some non-US equipment documentation, especially from Japan and other markets that used kilogram-force units before standardizing on newtons. 1 kgf·m equals about 7.233 lb-ft or 9.807 N·m.

Can I use this to find what torque a bolt needs?

This converter shows which common bolt grades and sizes land near a torque value you already have, as a rough cross-reference. For the actual answer, that is, working out the correct torque for a specific bolt, grade, and condition, use the bolt torque calculator, which shows the full formula and lets you set the exact nut factor and preload.

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