Mechanical power rate.
Foot-pounds per second to Watts Converter — ft-lb/s to W
Convert Foot-pound per second (ft-lb/s) to Watt (W) using the exact conversion factor (1 foot-pound per second = 1.355817948 watt). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Foot-pounds per second to Watts converter
Converter
Engineering Converter
Convert common stress, force, torque, power, and energy units used in engineering.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
The watt is one joule per second.
Result = input x 1.355817948 / 1.
Power units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Foot-pounds per second to Watts
Foot-pound per second and Watt both measure a quantity used in structural or mechanical engineering — commonly stress, pressure, force, torque, power, or energy — where converting between the unit conventions used in different regions, industries, or equipment specifications is a routine part of design work. Specifically: Mechanical power rate, and the watt is one joule per second.
Formula
watts = foot-pounds per second × 1.35581794833
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 foot-pound per second equals 1.35581794833 base units, and 1 watt equals 1 base unit, so dividing one by the other gives the direct foot-pound per second-to-watt factor of 1.35581794833.
Simple example
1 ft-lb/s × 1.355817948 = 1.355817948 W
1 foot-pound per second = 1.355817948 watts.
Real-world example
100 ft-lb/s × 1.355817948 = 135.5817948 W
100 foot-pounds per second = 135.5817948 watts.
Conversion table
| Foot-pound per second (ft-lb/s) | Watt (W) |
|---|---|
| 1 ft-lb/s | 1.355817948 W |
| 10 ft-lb/s | 13.55817948 W |
| 50 ft-lb/s | 67.79089742 W |
| 100 ft-lb/s | 135.5817948 W |
| 500 ft-lb/s | 677.9089742 W |
| 1,000 ft-lb/s | 1,355.817948 W |
Reverse conversion: Watt to Foot-pound per second
1.355817948 W × 0.7375621493 = 0.9999999998 ft-lb/s
1.355817948 watts = 0.9999999998 foot-pounds per second.
foot-pounds per second = watts × 0.737562149277
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Watt to Foot-pound per second.
Understanding the Foot-pound per second (ft-lb/s)
Mechanical power rate.
Understanding the Watt
Watt (W) measures power. The watt is the SI derived unit of power: one joule of energy per second. It is classified as a SI derived unit.
Where it's used: Standard scientific and everyday power unit worldwide
Uses of the Watt today
- Electrical appliance power ratings worldwide
- Light bulb brightness-equivalent labeling
- Engine and motor power specifications (alongside horsepower)
History of the Watt
The watt is named after James Watt, whose improvements to the steam engine in the late 18th century were commercially pivotal; ironically, Watt himself used horsepower (a unit he helped popularize) to market his engines. The watt was formally adopted as a unit at the 1889 General Conference on Weights and Measures and became the SI derived unit of power in the 20th century.
Historical origin. Watt was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Watt — sources
- BIPM SI Brochure — Coherent derived units — Defines the watt as the SI unit of power.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts are in 1 foot-pound per second?
1 foot-pound per second equals 1.355817948 watts, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert foot-pound per second to watt?
Multiply the foot-pound per second value by 1.355817948. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert watt back to foot-pound per second?
Use the reverse factor: 1 watt equals 0.7375621493 foot-pounds per second. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a foot-pound per second?
Foot-pound per second (ft-lb/s) is a unit of engineering.
What is a watt?
Watt (W) measures power. The watt is the SI derived unit of power: one joule of energy per second. It is classified as a SI derived unit.
Is the foot-pound per second to watt conversion exact?
Yes. Both foot-pound per second and watt are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 1.355817948 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.
Why do engineering unit conventions vary so much by region and industry?
Pressure, force, and stress can be expressed in metric (pascal, newton), US customary (psi, pound-force), or older and industry-specific units (atmosphere, torr, kip) depending on the country, industry, and even the equipment manufacturer, which is why engineers routinely need to convert between them when working across specs from different sources.