Newtonmetern

Newtonmeter, abbreviated N·m, is the SI derived unit used to express torque, also known as the moment of force. It represents the product of a force in newtons and the distance from the pivot in meters, and it quantifies how strongly a force tends to rotate an object about an axis. Torque is a vector quantity, perpendicular to the plane of rotation, and its magnitude is given by the force times lever arm (with appropriate angle between force and lever arm).

Because energy and torque share the same unit, the context distinguishes their meaning. Work or energy is the integral of torque with respect to angular displacement, W = ∫ τ dθ. Since angles are measured in radians (dimensionless), 1 joule of energy corresponds to 1 newton-meter of torque under rotation through one radian. Thus 1 N·m is numerically equal to 1 J, though the quantities are conceptually different: torque is a rotational force, energy is a scalar quantity describing capacity to do work.

Notation and conversions are straightforward. The unit is commonly written as Nm or N·m. In imperial terms, 1 N·m equals about 0.73756 ft·lbf. In practical engineering contexts, torque values are encountered across a wide range, from tens to thousands of N·m, depending on the application such as automotive engines, motors, or mechanical systems.