Torque Converter
Newton-meter (N·m)
Definition: The newton-meter (symbol: N·m or N m) is the SI unit of torque. One newton-meter is equal to the torque resulting from a force of one newton applied perpendicularly to a moment arm which is one meter long.
History/origin: The unit was derived within the International System of Units (SI) by combining the unit of force (Newton) and the unit of distance (Meter). It was established to provide a scientific constant for rotational force.
Current use: It is the global standard for measuring engine torque in cars, motorcycles, and the tightening specifications for almost all modern mechanical fasteners.
Kilogram-meter (kgf·m)
Definition: A kilogram-meter is a non-SI metric unit of torque, defined as the torque produced by one kilogram-force acting at a distance of one meter from the axis of rotation.
History/origin: Widely used in older European and Japanese engineering standards before the global transition to the Newton-meter. It was intuitive because it directly related weight in kilograms to torque.
Current use: While largely replaced by N·m, it is still frequently found in service manuals for older cars (especially Toyotas and Hondas from the 80s/90s) and older industrial machinery.
Newton-meter (N·m) to Kilogram-meter (kgf·m) Conversion Table
| Newton-meter (N·m) [nm] | Kilogram-meter (kgf·m) [kgfm] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 nm | 0.00101972 kgfm |
| 0.1 nm | 0.01019716 kgfm |
| 1 nm | 0.10197162 kgfm |
| 2 nm | 0.20394324 kgfm |
| 3 nm | 0.30591486 kgfm |
| 5 nm | 0.50985811 kgfm |
| 10 nm | 1.01971621 kgfm |
| 20 nm | 2.03943243 kgfm |
| 50 nm | 5.09858106 kgfm |
| 100 nm | 10.19716213 kgfm |
| 1000 nm | 101.9716213 kgfm |
How to Convert Newton-meter (N·m) to Kilogram-meter (kgf·m)
1 nm = 0.10197162 kgfm
1 kgfm = 9.80665 nm
Example: convert 15 nm to kgfm:
15 nm = 15 × 0.10197162 kgfm = 1.52957432 kgfm
Did You Know?
- Did you know? Torque is what gets a car moving from a standstill. While horsepower determines top speed, torque determines acceleration—or how fast you feel that "push" into your seat!
- Kilogram-meter was the standard unit for engine torque in Europe and Japan for decades before the Newton-meter (N·m) was officially adopted as the metric standard.