Divide newton-meters by 1.35582 to get foot-pounds. For example, 100 N·m ÷ 1.35582 ≈ 73.8 ft·lbf. To go the other way, multiply ft·lbf by 1.35582. This conversion appears constantly in automotive work: European car specs use N·m while US repair manuals often list ft·lbf.

A kilogram-force meter (kgf·m) is the torque produced by a one-kilogram weight hanging at the end of a one-meter arm. One kgf·m equals 9.80665 N·m (the standard acceleration due to gravity). Older Japanese and European engineering documents and some torque wrenches still use kgf·m or its smaller cousin kgf·cm.

Both use the same unit, but they are different physical quantities. Work (or energy) is force applied in the direction of motion over a distance. Torque is a rotational force — force applied perpendicular to a lever arm. Although 1 N·m of torque and 1 J of work are numerically equal, the context distinguishes them. Torque is sometimes written as N·m (or N m) while energy is written as joules to avoid ambiguity.

It depends on the market. European and Japanese specifications typically use N·m. US specifications traditionally use ft·lbf (foot-pounds force) — sometimes shortened to "ft-lb" or "lb-ft." in·lbf (inch-pounds) appears for smaller fasteners. If you are following a repair manual from a different region, use this converter to translate between them before using your torque wrench.