Torque from one kilogram-force at one meter.
Kilogram-force meters to Pound-feet Converter — kgf m to lb ft
Convert Kilogram-force meter (kgf m) to Pound-foot (lb ft) using the exact conversion factor (1 kilogram-force meter = 7.233013851 pound-foot). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, unit comparison, history, and common uses.
Kilogram-force meters to Pound-feet converter
Converter
Torque Converter
Convert newton meters, pound-feet, pound-inches, ounce-inches, and kilogram-force meters.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
Torque from one pound-force at one foot.
Result = input x 9.80665 / 1.355817948.
Torque uses the newton meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Kilogram-force meters to Pound-feet
Kilogram-force meter and Pound-foot both measure torque, and the conversion is essential for anyone using a torque wrench specified in one unit against a bolt or engine spec given in the other. Kilogram-force meter is typically associated with can be encountered in some older European and Japanese automotive and mechanical torque specifications, while Pound-foot is typically associated with united States (automotive and mechanical torque specifications).
Formula
pound-feet = kilogram-force meters × 7.23301385121
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 kilogram-force meter equals 9.80665 base units, and 1 pound-foot equals 1.35581794833 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct kilogram-force meter-to-pound-foot factor of 7.23301385121.
Simple example
1 kgf m × 7.233013851 = 7.233013851 lb ft
1 kilogram-force meter = 7.233013851 pound-feet.
Real-world example
10 kgf m × 7.233013851 = 72.33013851 lb ft
10 kilogram-force meters = 72.33013851 pound-feet.
Conversion table
| Kilogram-force meter (kgf m) | Pound-foot (lb ft) |
|---|---|
| 1 kgf m | 7.233013851 lb ft |
| 5 kgf m | 36.16506926 lb ft |
| 10 kgf m | 72.33013851 lb ft |
| 50 kgf m | 361.6506926 lb ft |
| 100 kgf m | 723.3013851 lb ft |
| 500 kgf m | 3,616.506926 lb ft |
Reverse conversion: Pound-foot to Kilogram-force meter
7.233013851 lb ft × 0.1382549544 = 1 kgf m
7.233013851 pound-feet = 1 kilogram-force meters.
kilogram-force meters = pound-feet × 0.138254954376
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Pound-foot to Kilogram-force meter.
Kilogram-force meter vs. Pound-foot
| Aspect | Kilogram-force meter | Pound-foot |
|---|---|---|
| Family | non-SI unit, deprecated but still encountered | US/imperial customary unit |
| Typical use | Appears on some legacy torque specifications and equipment predating wider adoption of the newton-meter | US torque wrench specifications (bolt tightening) |
| Where it's used | Can be encountered in some older European and Japanese automotive and mechanical torque specifications | United States (automotive and mechanical torque specifications) |
Understanding the Kilogram-force meter
Kilogram-force meter (kgf m) measures torque. The torque produced by one kilogram-force acting at a perpendicular distance of one meter. It is classified as a non-SI unit, deprecated but still encountered.
Where it's used: Can be encountered in some older European and Japanese automotive and mechanical torque specifications
kgf·m vs. N·m. The newton-meter is the modern SI torque unit; kilogram-force meter is the older, gravity-dependent equivalent still occasionally seen on legacy specifications. 1 kgf·m equals exactly 9.80665 N·m.
Uses of the Kilogram-force meter today
- Appears on some legacy torque specifications and equipment predating wider adoption of the newton-meter
Understanding the Pound-foot
Pound-foot (lb ft) measures torque. A pound-foot is the torque from one pound-force applied at one foot of leverage: exactly 1.3558179483314004 newton-meters. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
Where it's used: United States (automotive and mechanical torque specifications)
Pound-foot vs. foot-pound. Pound-foot (torque) and foot-pound (energy/work) use the same two units but measure physically different quantities; US convention typically orders them differently to help distinguish which is meant, though usage isn't always consistent.
Uses of the Pound-foot today
- US torque wrench specifications (bolt tightening)
- US automotive engine torque specifications
- US mechanical and construction trades
History of the Pound-foot
The pound-foot follows from pound-force and the foot, both standardized through English and later international agreements, remaining the standard US automotive and mechanical torque unit even as most other measurements shifted toward metric in engineering contexts.
Historical origin. Pound-foot was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Kilogram-force meter — sources
- BIPM SI Brochure — Kilogram-force and its derivatives are non-SI units whose use is discouraged in favor of SI force/torque units.
Pound-foot — sources
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Documents the pound-foot's exact newton-meter equivalence.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many pound-feet are in 1 kilogram-force meter?
1 kilogram-force meter equals 7.233013851 pound-feet, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert kilogram-force meter to pound-foot?
Multiply the kilogram-force meter value by 7.233013851. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert pound-foot back to kilogram-force meter?
Use the reverse factor: 1 pound-foot equals 0.1382549544 kilogram-force meters. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a kilogram-force meter?
Kilogram-force meter (kgf m) measures torque. The torque produced by one kilogram-force acting at a perpendicular distance of one meter. It is classified as a non-SI unit, deprecated but still encountered.
What is a pound-foot?
Pound-foot (lb ft) measures torque. A pound-foot is the torque from one pound-force applied at one foot of leverage: exactly 1.3558179483314004 newton-meters. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
Is the kilogram-force meter to pound-foot conversion exact?
Yes. A pound-foot is the torque from one pound-force applied at one foot of leverage: exactly 1.3558179483314004 newton-meters. That fixed definition is what the converter above uses, so any rounding you see is a display choice, not a limitation of the math.
What is the difference between kgf·m vs. n·m?
The newton-meter is the modern SI torque unit; kilogram-force meter is the older, gravity-dependent equivalent still occasionally seen on legacy specifications. 1 kgf·m equals exactly 9.80665 N·m.
Where is the kilogram-force meter still used today?
Can be encountered in some older European and Japanese automotive and mechanical torque specifications