Convert torque between inch-pounds and foot-pounds quickly, with a clear direction switch to help avoid wrench-setting unit mistakes.
How to use our Inch-Pounds to Foot-Pounds Converter
- Choose a direction under Convert: either inch-pounds to foot-pounds or foot-pounds to inch-pounds.
- Enter your number in Torque value. Use the value from your manual, fastener chart, or torque wrench, and enter digits only.
- Pick how many digits to show with Round result to, then click Calculate.
- Read Converted torque first, then check Rule used to make sure you converted the value in the correct direction.
- Do a quick sanity check: if you converted from in-lb to ft-lb, the answer should usually be smaller; if you converted from ft-lb to in-lb, the answer should usually be larger.
Definitions
In-lb: Inch-pounds, a torque unit often used for lower wrench settings.
Ft-lb: Foot-pounds, a torque unit equal to 12 inch-pounds.
Torque value: The number you enter before conversion.
Converted torque: The same torque expressed in the other unit.
Rule used: The conversion step the calculator applied: divide by 12 or multiply by 12.
Round result to: How many digits appear after the decimal point in the displayed answer.
Torque: A turning force, such as the twist used to tighten a bolt.
Common mistakes and quick fixes
Mistake: Picking the wrong option under Convert and dividing when you meant to multiply.
Fix: Check Rule used after calculating. In-lb to ft-lb divides by 12, while ft-lb to in-lb multiplies by 12.
Mistake: Typing letters or unit text into Torque value , such as "120 in-lb".
Fix: Enter numbers only in Torque value . The calculator already knows the units from your Convert choice.
Mistake: Using too few digits in Round result to and thinking a small torque became zero.
Fix: Increase Round result to to 2, 3, or 4 decimal places when the result is small.
Mistake: Reading Converted torque correctly but missing the target unit.
Fix: Use Unit note and your Convert direction together so you set the wrench in ft-lb or in-lb, not the original unit.
Mistake: Getting a very small Converted torque in ft-lb and trying to set it on a large ft-lb wrench.
Fix: Read Practical note . Very small ft-lb values are often easier to set on an inch-pound wrench.
Limitations & Key Assumptions / Boundary Conditions
- This tool converts units only. It does not tell you the correct torque spec for your bike, car, tool, or fastener.
- The math assumes the exact relationship 1 ft-lb = 12 in-lb, so any difference from a manual usually comes from rounding, not the conversion itself.
- Negative values are allowed mathematically because they are valid numbers, but real torque wrench settings are usually positive.
- Displayed results depend on Round result to. More rounding can hide small differences that still matter for low torque settings.
- This page treats in-lb and ft-lb as torque units for wrench settings. It does not handle other unit systems such as N m.
Methodology
Conversion method
The calculator uses one exact unit relationship:
1 foot = 12 inches. Because torque here is being expressed in foot-pounds or inch-pounds, converting between these two units is a simple factor-of-12 change.
ft-lb = in-lb / 12
in-lb = ft-lb * 12
How each mode works
If Convert is set to inch-pounds to foot-pounds, the entered Torque value is divided by 12.
If Convert is set to foot-pounds to inch-pounds, the entered Torque value is multiplied by 12.
The displayed Rule used mirrors that choice so users can double-check direction before setting a wrench.
Worked mini-example
Suppose your manual gives 120 in-lb and you want ft-lb.
ft-lb = 120 / 12 = 10
So the converted torque is 10 ft-lb.
If you start with 8.7 ft-lb and want in-lb:
in-lb = 8.7 * 12 = 104.4
So the converted torque is 104.4 in-lb.
Rounding and display
The calculator rounds the shown answer to the number chosen in Round result to. If normal rounding would make a small nonzero result look like 0, the display keeps extra decimal places so the result is not misleading.
Results are shown in plain decimal form, not scientific notation, to make wrench settings easier to read.
Assumptions behind the result
This tool assumes you entered a real numeric torque value and chose the correct conversion direction. It is designed for torque-only unit conversion and practical wrench-setting checks, not for choosing the correct specification for a fastener or part.