My torque screwdriver is set to 25 in·lb, but the assembly spec calls for 3 N·m. Is that close enough?

25 in·lb ≈ 2.82 N·m, which is about 6% under the 3 N·m spec. For most light fasteners that's within acceptable tolerance, but for safety-critical or sealed components, bump the setting to about 26.5 in·lb (3 N·m) to match exactly.

I set my driver to 40 in·lb for a sensor bolt, but the manual's metric column shows 5.2. Did I overtighten?

40 in·lb ≈ 4.52 N·m, which is slightly under 5.2 N·m — so you're actually a bit under spec, not over. Increase to about 46 in·lb to reach 5.2 N·m.

Why would a manufacturer give both in·lb and N·m for the same bolt instead of just one unit?

Many products are assembled and serviced in multiple countries, so listing both lets a US technician use an in·lb driver and an international technician use a metric torque wrench without either having to convert manually — a courtesy that's common in dual-market service documentation.

Inch-Pounds to Newton-Meters Converter

Enter a value to instantly convert between torque units.

From

Precision4 dp

1 Inch-Pound = 0.113 Newton-Meter

Key Formulas

Newton-Meter → Foot-Pound

ft·lb = N·m × 0.737562

Foot-Pound → Newton-Meter

N·m = ft·lb × 1.35582

Newton-Meter → Inch-Pound

in·lb = N·m × 8.85075

Inch-Pound → Newton-Meter

N·m = in·lb × 0.112985

Formula

N·m = in·lb × 0.1129848290

US precision torque drivers and screwdrivers for electronics, small engines, and instrumentation are typically calibrated in inch-pounds. When a metric assembly spec or service manual gives a value in N·m for these light fasteners, converting from inch-pounds confirms your tool is set correctly.

Source: NIST SP 811, Table B.9

Last reviewed: 2026-06-11 · see our methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Real-World Examples

Torque spec for a circuit board enclosure screw.

20 in·lb = 2.26 N·m

Spark plug torque on a small four-stroke engine.

50 in·lb = 5.65 N·m

Torque spec for a camera lens mount ring.

35 in·lb = 3.95 N·m

Torque spec for a small appliance motor mount bolt.

100 in·lb = 11.3 N·m

nm to ft lb ft lb to nm nm to in lb kgf m to nm nm to kgf m

Inch-Pounds to Newton-Meters Converter

Key Formulas

Formula

Frequently Asked Questions

Real-World Examples

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