The foot-pound and the inch-pound are two of many different units used to measure work and torque. These two customary units are equal to the force of 1 lb. acting through the distance of one foot and 1 lb. acting through the distance of one inch. Because both units are based on the pound and a customary unit of length, converting one to the other is a straightforward process.
To remember the conversion factor for foot-pounds to inch-pounds, just think of how many inches there are in one foot.
Enter the foot-pound value into the calculator. Double-check the display to ensure that the value is correct.
Multiply the foot-pound value by 12, the conversion factor for foot-pounds to inch-pounds. The result is the foot-pound value expressed in inch-pounds. For example, 20 foot-pounds is equivalent to 240 inch-pounds because 12 x 20 = 240.
Identify the units used by adding the symbol for inch-pounds to the result. For example, write the example result from the previous step as "240 in lb."
Tips
References
Tips
- To remember the conversion factor for foot-pounds to inch-pounds, just think of how many inches there are in one foot.
About the Author
David Robinson has written professionally since 2000. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Royal Meteorological Society. He has written for the "Telegraph" and "Guardian" newspapers in the U.K., government publications, websites, magazines and school textbooks. He holds an honors Bachelor of Arts in geography and education and a teaching certificate from Durham University, England.