Torque from one pound-force at one foot.
Pound-feet to Kilogram-force meters Converter — lb ft to kgf m
Convert Pound-foot (lb ft) to Kilogram-force meter (kgf m) using the exact conversion factor (1 pound-foot = 0.1382549544 kilogram-force meter). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, unit comparison, history, and common uses.
Pound-feet to Kilogram-force meters 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 kilogram-force at one meter.
Result = input x 1.355817948 / 9.80665.
Torque uses the newton meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Pound-feet to Kilogram-force meters
Pound-foot and Kilogram-force meter 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. Pound-foot is typically associated with united States (automotive and mechanical torque specifications), while Kilogram-force meter is typically associated with can be encountered in some older European and Japanese automotive and mechanical torque specifications.
Formula
kilogram-force meters = pound-feet × 0.138254954376
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 pound-foot equals 1.35581794833 base units, and 1 kilogram-force meter equals 9.80665 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct pound-foot-to-kilogram-force meter factor of 0.138254954376.
Simple example
1 lb ft × 0.1382549544 = 0.1382549544 kgf m
1 pound-foot = 0.1382549544 kilogram-force meters.
Real-world example
10 lb ft × 0.1382549544 = 1.382549544 kgf m
10 pound-feet = 1.382549544 kilogram-force meters.
Conversion table
| Pound-foot (lb ft) | Kilogram-force meter (kgf m) |
|---|---|
| 1 lb ft | 0.1382549544 kgf m |
| 5 lb ft | 0.6912747719 kgf m |
| 10 lb ft | 1.382549544 kgf m |
| 50 lb ft | 6.912747719 kgf m |
| 100 lb ft | 13.82549544 kgf m |
| 500 lb ft | 69.12747719 kgf m |
Reverse conversion: Kilogram-force meter to Pound-foot
0.1382549544 kgf m × 7.233013851 = 1 lb ft
0.1382549544 kilogram-force meters = 1 pound-feet.
pound-feet = kilogram-force meters × 7.23301385121
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Kilogram-force meter to Pound-foot.
Pound-foot vs. Kilogram-force meter
| Aspect | Pound-foot | Kilogram-force meter |
|---|---|---|
| Family | US/imperial customary unit | non-SI unit, deprecated but still encountered |
| Typical use | US torque wrench specifications (bolt tightening) | Appears on some legacy torque specifications and equipment predating wider adoption of the newton-meter |
| Where it's used | United States (automotive and mechanical torque specifications) | Can be encountered in some older European and Japanese automotive and mechanical torque specifications |
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.
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
Pound-foot — sources
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Documents the pound-foot's exact newton-meter equivalence.
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.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many kilogram-force meters are in 1 pound-foot?
1 pound-foot equals 0.1382549544 kilogram-force meters, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert pound-foot to kilogram-force meter?
Multiply the pound-foot value by 0.1382549544. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert kilogram-force meter back to pound-foot?
Use the reverse factor: 1 kilogram-force meter equals 7.233013851 pound-feet. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
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.
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.
Is the pound-foot to kilogram-force meter 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 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.
Where is the pound-foot still used today?
United States (automotive and mechanical torque specifications)