Work from one pound-force over one foot.
Foot-pounds to kWhs Converter — ft-lb to kWh
Convert Foot-pound (ft-lb) to kWh (kWh) using the exact conversion factor (1 foot-pound = 3.766161e-7 kwh). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Foot-pounds to kWhs 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.
A kilowatt-hour is 3.6 million joules.
Result = input x 1.355817948 / 3.6e+6.
Energy units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Foot-pounds to kWhs
Foot-pound and kWh 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: Work from one pound-force over one foot, and a kilowatt-hour is 3.6 million joules.
Formula
kwhs = foot-pounds × 3.766161e-7
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 foot-pound equals 1.35581794833 base units, and 1 kwh equals 3600000 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct foot-pound-to-kwh factor of 3.766161e-7.
Simple example
1 ft-lb × 3.766161e-7 = 3.766161e-7 kWh
1 foot-pound = 3.766161e-7 kwhs.
Real-world example
100 ft-lb × 3.766161e-7 = 0.0000376616 kWh
100 foot-pounds = 0.0000376616 kwhs.
Conversion table
| Foot-pound (ft-lb) | kWh (kWh) |
|---|---|
| 1 ft-lb | 3.766161e-7 kWh |
| 10 ft-lb | 0.0000037662 kWh |
| 50 ft-lb | 0.0000188308 kWh |
| 100 ft-lb | 0.0000376616 kWh |
| 500 ft-lb | 0.000188308 kWh |
| 1,000 ft-lb | 0.0003766161 kWh |
Reverse conversion: kWh to Foot-pound
3.766161e-7 kWh × 2655223.737 = 1.000000009 ft-lb
3.766161e-7 kwhs = 1.000000009 foot-pounds.
foot-pounds = kwhs × 2655223.7374
For a page dedicated to this direction, see kWh to Foot-pound.
Understanding the Foot-pound (ft-lb)
Work from one pound-force over one foot.
Understanding the kWh
kWh (kWh) measures energy. A kilowatt-hour is the energy of one kilowatt of power sustained for one hour: exactly 3,600,000 joules. It is classified as a Non-SI unit accepted for use with SI.
Where it's used: Used worldwide for electricity billing
Uses of the kWh today
- Residential and commercial electricity billing worldwide
- Battery capacity ratings (especially electric vehicles)
- Energy policy and grid-scale power statistics
History of the kWh
The kilowatt-hour became the standard electricity billing unit as power utilities expanded in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, since it conveniently matches the scale of typical household electricity consumption, unlike the much smaller joule.
Historical origin. kWh was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
kWh — sources
- BIPM SI Brochure — Non-SI units accepted for use with SI — Lists the kilowatt-hour among accepted non-SI energy units.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many kwhs are in 1 foot-pound?
1 foot-pound equals 3.766161e-7 kwhs, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert foot-pound to kwh?
Multiply the foot-pound value by 3.766161e-7. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert kwh back to foot-pound?
Use the reverse factor: 1 kwh equals 2,655,223.737 foot-pounds. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a foot-pound?
Foot-pound (ft-lb) is a unit of engineering.
What is a kwh?
kWh (kWh) measures energy. A kilowatt-hour is the energy of one kilowatt of power sustained for one hour: exactly 3,600,000 joules. It is classified as a Non-SI unit accepted for use with SI.
Is the foot-pound to kwh conversion exact?
Yes. A kilowatt-hour is the energy of one kilowatt of power sustained for one hour: exactly 3,600,000 joules. That fixed definition is what the converter above uses, so any rounding you see is a display choice, not a limitation of the math.
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.