My manual lists a bolt torque of 1.2 kgf·m, but my wrench reads N·m and ft·lb. What do I set?

1.2 kgf·m × 9.80665 ≈ 11.8 N·m (about 8.7 ft·lb). Set your wrench to 11.8 N·m, or the nearest available setting.

I see a torque spec written as 'm·kgf' instead of 'kgf·m' — is that a different unit?

No. 'm·kgf', 'kg·m' and 'kgf·m' name the same unit. Multiply by 9.80665 to get N·m.

A vintage car manual gives 4.5 kgf·m for wheel bolts — that seems low compared to modern cars. Is the manual correct?

4.5 kgf·m ≈ 44.1 N·m (about 32.5 ft·lb). Confirm the figure and its unit against a second source before use. Under-tightened wheel bolts can work loose.

Kilogram-Force Meters to Newton-Meters Converter

Enter a value to instantly convert between torque units.

From

Precision4 dp

1 Kilogram-Force Meter = 9.8066 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 = kgf·m × 9.80665

Some service manuals give torque in kilogram-force meters (kgf·m, also written kg·m or m·kgf). Convert to N·m or ft·lb to set a wrench marked in those units.

Source: NIST SP 811, Table B.9

Reviewed by the Convert Calc editorial team · Last reviewed: 2026-10-06 · see our methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Real-World Examples

One kilogram-force meter. 1 kgf·m = 9.81 N·m.

1 kgf·m = 9.81 N·m

Example kgf·m value from a service manual.

3.5 kgf·m = 34.32 N·m

Half a kilogram-force meter. Example value.

0.5 kgf·m = 4.9 N·m

Example value. Confirm the torque against your service manual.

10 kgf·m = 98.07 N·m

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

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Mechanics