Inch Poundsto Foot Pounds Converter
Free Inch poundsto foot pounds Converter for force pressure & torque units. Enter a value to see equivalent measurements across systems.
Reviewed by Manoj Kumar, Mathematics Educator
Formula
Foot-Pounds = Inch-Pounds / 12
Since there are exactly 12 inches in one foot, dividing inch-pounds by 12 gives foot-pounds. To convert foot-pounds to inch-pounds, multiply by 12. For newton-meters, multiply inch-pounds by 0.112985 or foot-pounds by 1.35582.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Converting Carburetor Bolt Torque
Problem:A small engine manual specifies carburetor mounting bolts at 48 inch-pounds. What is this in foot-pounds?
Solution:ft-lbs = inch-pounds / 12\nft-lbs = 48 / 12 = 4.0000 ft-lbs\nNm = 48 x 0.112985 = 5.4233 Nm
Result:48 in-lbs = 4.0000 ft-lbs = 5.4233 Nm
Example 2: Converting Foot-Pounds to Inch-Pounds
Problem:A torque specification is 7.5 foot-pounds. Express this in inch-pounds for a more precise torque wrench.
Solution:in-lbs = ft-lbs x 12\nin-lbs = 7.5 x 12 = 90.0000 in-lbs\nNm = 7.5 x 1.35582 = 10.1687 Nm
Result:7.5 ft-lbs = 90.0000 in-lbs = 10.1687 Nm
Frequently Asked Questions
How many inch-pounds are in one foot-pound?
There are exactly 12 inch-pounds in one foot-pound. This relationship comes directly from the fact that there are 12 inches in one foot. Since torque is calculated as force multiplied by the distance from the pivot point, a force of one pound applied at a distance of one foot produces the same torque as that pound applied at twelve inches. This makes the conversion straightforward: divide inch-pounds by 12 to get foot-pounds, or multiply foot-pounds by 12 to get inch-pounds.
When should I use inch-pounds versus foot-pounds?
Inch-pounds are typically used for smaller, more precise torque applications such as tightening screws on electronics, small engine carburetor adjustments, firearm scope mounts, and delicate mechanical assemblies. Foot-pounds are used for larger fasteners and heavier applications like automotive lug nuts, engine cylinder head bolts, and structural bolting. As a general guideline, if the torque specification is less than about 20 foot-pounds (240 inch-pounds), using inch-pounds provides better granularity and precision.
Can I use a foot-pound torque wrench for inch-pound specifications?
While mathematically you can convert the values, most foot-pound torque wrenches lack the precision needed for accurate inch-pound work. A typical foot-pound wrench has a minimum setting around 10 ft-lbs (120 in-lbs) and increments of 1 ft-lb (12 in-lbs). For specifications requiring exact inch-pound values like 30 in-lbs (2.5 ft-lbs), you need a dedicated inch-pound torque wrench that can measure in smaller increments, typically 1 in-lb. Using the wrong scale wrench can result in over-tightening delicate fasteners.
Are inch-pounds and inch-ounces related?
Yes, inch-ounces are an even smaller unit of torque. There are 16 inch-ounces in one inch-pound, following the standard ounce-to-pound conversion. Inch-ounces are used for extremely delicate applications like adjusting watch mechanisms, calibrating precision instruments, or setting drag on fishing reels. To convert inch-ounces to inch-pounds, divide by 16. To convert inch-ounces to foot-pounds, divide by 192 (16 times 12).
References
Reviewed by Manoj Kumar, Mathematics Educator · Editorial policy