Torque Calculator - Force × Distance
Calculate torque from force and lever arm distance, shown in newton-meters, pound-feet, and pound-inches.
Newton-meters
15.0000 N·m
Pound-feet
11.0634 lb-ft
Pound-inches
132.7612 lb-in
How to Calculate Torque
Torque is a rotational force, calculated as Force × Distance from the pivot point (the lever arm length), when the force is applied perpendicular to the lever arm. Enter a force and a distance in any combination of common units, and this calculator converts everything to newton-meters internally, then shows the result in newton-meters (N·m), pound-feet (lb-ft), and pound-inches (lb-in) at once.
Example
Applying 50 N of force at the end of a 0.3 m wrench gives a torque of 50 × 0.3 = 15 N·m, which is equivalent to about 11.06 lb-ft, or 132.7 lb-in — the kind of specification commonly found in a torque wrench setting for tightening bolts.
Common Use Cases
- Setting a torque wrench to the manufacturer's specified value for bolts and fasteners.
- Converting a manufacturer's torque specification between metric and imperial units.
- Physics and mechanical engineering coursework involving rotational force and levers.
FAQs
Does the angle of the applied force matter?
Yes — this calculator assumes the force is applied perpendicular (at 90°) to the lever arm, which produces the maximum possible torque for a given force and distance. If the force is applied at an angle, the effective torque is reduced by a factor of sin(angle).
What is the difference between lb-ft and lb-in?
Both measure torque in the imperial system, but lb-ft uses a one-foot lever arm as the reference while lb-in uses a one-inch lever arm. Since a foot is 12 inches, 1 lb-ft equals exactly 12 lb-in.
Why is force sometimes given in kilogram-force?
Kilogram-force is a non-SI unit still used informally in some regions and specifications, representing the force exerted by one kilogram of mass under standard gravity (9.80665 m/s²). This calculator converts it to newtons automatically for the torque calculation.