Inch-Pounds to Foot-Pounds Converter

Convert a torque between inch-pounds and foot-pounds instantly in either direction.

Applies the exact 1 ft-lb = 12 in-lb relationship to work, energy, and torque values.

Updated August 8, 2026

CreatorFrank Zhao

Loading calculator…

Introduction / overview

Inch-Pounds to Foot-Pounds Converter turns a torque value between the two most common imperial torque units: inch-pounds ( $\mathrm{in\text{-}lb}$ ) and foot-pounds ( $\mathrm{ft\text{-}lb}$ ). Type into either field and the matching value in the other unit appears instantly.

Because one foot is exactly twelve inches, one foot-pound is exactly twelve inch-pounds: $1\ \mathrm{ft\text{-}lb} = 12\ \mathrm{in\text{-}lb}$ . The conversion works exactly in both directions.

This is the tool for the everyday mismatch where a service manual or spec sheet lists foot-pounds but the torque wrench in front of you reads inch-pounds — or the reverse. It shows up constantly in automotive work, bicycle repair, and machine assembly. Mistaking one unit for the other is a twelve-times error, and it is easy to do because both units share the word “pounds”.

How to use / quick start

1Enter the torque value in the field whose unit you already have — Inch-pounds or Foot-pounds.
2The other field updates automatically with the equivalent value, so you can start from either unit and read the result you need.
3Check the unit label next to the result and apply that value with your tool — for example, if your spec is in inch-pounds but your wrench reads foot-pounds, use the foot-pounds number.

Example: converting 24 in-lb to foot-pounds

Type $24$ in the Inch-pounds field. The calculator divides by the exact twelve inches per foot:

24\ \mathrm{in\text{-}lb} \div 12

=

2\ \mathrm{ft\text{-}lb}

So 24 inch-pounds is exactly 2 foot-pounds. Typing 2 into the Foot-pounds field instead gives exactly 24 inch-pounds back — the conversion is equally easy in the reverse direction.

Calculation method

Torque is the turning effect of a force applied at a distance from a pivot, which is why torque units always pair a force with a length. Inch-pounds use inches as the arm length, foot-pounds use feet. Because one foot is exactly twelve inches, the two units differ by exactly a factor of twelve:

\tau_{\mathrm{ft\text{-}lb}} = \frac{\tau_{\mathrm{in\text{-}lb}}}{12}

\tau_{\mathrm{in\text{-}lb}}

=

12 \times \tau_{\mathrm{ft\text{-}lb}}

A few things worth knowing about the math:

Both directions are supported — the calculator treats whichever field you type in as the starting point and works out the other one automatically.
The factor of 12 is exact, so this conversion never multiplies by a rounded decimal — your input keeps its precision. Only results that repeat forever, like $89/12 = 7.4166\ldots$ , are shortened in the display.

Frequently asked questions

Why does 89 in-lb show as 7.417 ft-lb instead of an exact number?

Because $89 / 12 = 7.41666\ldots$ is a repeating decimal that continues forever. The display rounds it to a readable value, so you see $7.417\ \mathrm{ft\text{-}lb}$ . The conversion relationship itself is exact — the rounding only affects how many digits are shown.

Limitations

•This tool converts between inch-pounds and foot-pounds only. It does not judge whether a torque value is right for a given bolt, nut, or assembly — that depends on material, thread, lubrication, and the component's own specification.
•Torque has a direction. A negative value is treated as torque in the opposite rotational direction, not as an error, so it converts normally.
•Values that do not divide evenly produce repeating decimals, which are shown rounded for readability — for example, 89 in-lb displays as about 7.417 ft-lb.