Are foot-pound and pound-force foot units the same?

Numerically, one foot-pound equals one pound-force foot, but they can represent different physical quantities—energy or torque—so careful context interpretation is necessary.

What are common applications for these units?

They are widely used in mechanical engineering, automotive torque specification, ballistics energy measurement, and tool manufacturing.

Why might I use this converter instead of using joules?

This converter is useful for those working with imperial units in legacy systems or industries where foot-pounds and pound-force feet are standard, even though joules offer higher precision.

How to Convert from Foot-pound [ftlbf] to Pound-force foot [lbfft]?

Learn how to easily convert energy values between foot-pound (ft·lbf) and pound-force foot (lbf·ft), two imperial units commonly used in mechanical work, torque, and ballistics.

Foot-pound [ft*lbf]

Pound-force foot [lbf*ft]

Please check your input. It must be a valid numeric value.

Foot-pound [ftlbf] to Pound-force foot [lbfft] Conversion Table

Foot-pound [ft*lbf]	Pound-force foot [lbf*ft]

Custom Unit Conversion Table Generator – Instant Printable Conversion Tables

Start Value

Enter the starting number (positive decimal or integer ≥ 0). Example: 0.1, 1, 5.

End Value

Enter the ending number (positive decimal or integer > Start Value). Example: 10, 50, 100.

Interval

Enter the step size (positive decimal > 0 and < End Value – Start Value). Example: 1.0, 2.5.

Foot-pound [ft*lbf] to Pound-force foot [lbf*ft] Conversion Table
Foot-pound [ft*lbf]	Pound-force foot [lbf*ft]

Explore More Energy Units Converter

What Is This Tool?

This converter allows you to switch between foot-pound and pound-force foot units, both imperial measures used to quantify mechanical energy or torque. Despite their similar magnitude and notation, these units apply to slightly different contexts such as automotive torque settings or ballistics energy.

How to Use This Tool?

Enter the numerical value in the foot-pound [ft*lbf] input field
Select the target unit as pound-force foot [lbf*ft]
Click the convert button to see the corresponding value
Use the results for applications involving mechanical work or torque

Key Features

Converts values directly between foot-pound and pound-force foot units
Handles units commonly used in mechanical engineering and automotive repair
Browser-based and easy to use for quick imperial energy conversions
Supports measurement categories related to energy and torque

Examples

5 Foot-pounds [ft*lbf] equals 5 Pound-force feet [lbf*ft]
12 Foot-pounds [ft*lbf] equals 12 Pound-force feet [lbf*ft]

Common Use Cases

Quantifying small mechanical work in tools and machinery
Calculating muzzle or impact energy in ballistics contexts
Setting torque values for automotive repairs and mechanical assemblies

Tips & Best Practices

Keep in mind foot-pound and pound-force foot units can represent torque or energy, which are distinct physical concepts
Confirm the context where the unit is used to prevent misinterpretation
Use SI units like joules for higher precision in scientific scenarios
Rely on this converter for legacy or industry-specific imperial unit conversions

Limitations

Foot-pound and pound-force foot have identical magnitudes but might represent different physical quantities (torque vs energy)
These units are legacy and less precise compared to modern SI units like the joule
Careful contextual understanding is required to avoid confusion between torque and energy

Frequently Asked Questions

Are foot-pound and pound-force foot units the same?: Numerically, one foot-pound equals one pound-force foot, but they can represent different physical quantities—energy or torque—so careful context interpretation is necessary.
What are common applications for these units?: They are widely used in mechanical engineering, automotive torque specification, ballistics energy measurement, and tool manufacturing.
Why might I use this converter instead of using joules?: This converter is useful for those working with imperial units in legacy systems or industries where foot-pounds and pound-force feet are standard, even though joules offer higher precision.

Key Terminology

Foot-pound [ft*lbf]: An imperial unit of energy representing the work done by a one pound-force moving an object one foot in the force direction.
Pound-force foot [lbf*ft]: An imperial energy unit equal to the work done by a one pound-force applied through one foot displacement in the direction of the force.
Torque: A physical concept representing rotational force that shares units with energy but is distinct in meaning.

Quick Knowledge Check

What physical quantities can foot-pound and pound-force foot represent?

Only torque

Energy or torque

Only energy

Which unit is approximately equal to 1.3558 joules?

Foot-pound [ft*lbf]

Pound-force foot [lbf*ft]

Both units

Why is it important to understand the context when using these units?

Because they differ numerically

Because they might refer to torque or energy

Because they are SI units

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How to Convert from Foot-pound [ft*lbf] to Pound-force foot [lbf*ft]?

Foot-pound [ft*lbf] to Pound-force foot [lbf*ft] Conversion Table