Convert Joules to Foot-pounds
1 joule is 0.737562 ft·lbf. One joule is exactly 0.737562149277 foot-pounds.
One joule is 0.73756215 foot-pounds. To convert joules to foot-pounds, multiply by 0.73756215; to go the other way, divide by 0.73756215 or multiply by 1.3558179. The factor is exact rather than rounded: it follows from NIST Special Publication 811. The SI unit: one newton acting through one metre.
Factor checked against the defining standard · How we check
- Joules × 0.73756215
value * 0.7375621492770.738 ft·lbf
1 joule in every energy unit
| Unit | Value | Exact factor |
|---|---|---|
| joules (as entered) | 1 J | — |
| kilojoules | 0.001 kJ | × 0.001 |
| calories | 0.2390057361 cal | × 0.239005736138 |
| kilocalories | 0.0002390057361 kcal | × 0.000239005736138 |
| watt-hours | 0.0002777777778 Wh | × 0.000277777777778 |
| kilowatt-hours | 0.0000002777777778 kWh | × 0.000000277777777778 |
| British thermal units | 0.0009478171203 BTU | × 0.000947817120313 |
| foot-pounds | 0.7375621493 ft·lbf | × 0.737562149277 |
Factors are entered by hand from NIST Special Publication 811 rather than derived from a units library, so the ones that terminate are exact rather than rounded.
How do you convert joules to foot-pounds?
- 1.Take the measurement in joules.
- 2.Multiply by 0.73756215 — that is how many foot-pounds fit in one joule.
- 3.To go back the other way, divide by 0.73756215, or multiply by 1.3558179.
Worked example: 25 joules to foot-pounds
- Formula
- J × 0.73756215 = ft·lbf
- Arithmetic
- 25 × 0.73756215 = 18.439054 ft·lbf
- Answer
- 25 J = 18.439054 ft·lbf
The factor is rounded for display; the figure above is computed from the full value.
Joules to foot-pounds conversion table
| Joules | Foot-pounds |
|---|---|
| 1 J | 0.737562 ft·lbf |
| 2 J | 1.475124 ft·lbf |
| 3 J | 2.212686 ft·lbf |
| 4 J | 2.950249 ft·lbf |
| 5 J | 3.687811 ft·lbf |
| 6 J | 4.425373 ft·lbf |
| 7 J | 5.162935 ft·lbf |
| 8 J | 5.900497 ft·lbf |
| 9 J | 6.638059 ft·lbf |
| 10 J | 7.375621 ft·lbf |
| 12 J | 8.850746 ft·lbf |
| 15 J | 11.063432 ft·lbf |
| 20 J | 14.751243 ft·lbf |
| 25 J | 18.439054 ft·lbf |
| 50 J | 36.878107 ft·lbf |
| 100 J | 73.756215 ft·lbf |
| 200 J | 147.51243 ft·lbf |
| 300 J | 221.268645 ft·lbf |
| 500 J | 368.781075 ft·lbf |
| 1000 J | 737.562149 ft·lbf |
| 2000 J | 1,475.124299 ft·lbf |
| 5000 J | 3,687.810746 ft·lbf |
| 10000 J | 7,375.621493 ft·lbf |
What is a joule?
The SI unit: one newton acting through one metre. Dropping a small apple one metre releases about one joule.
What is a foot-pound?
A pound-force acting through one foot. The same arithmetic as the torque unit of that name, and a different quantity: this one is work done, not twist applied.
How many foot-pounds are in a joule?
One joule is 0.73756215 foot-pounds. Going the other way, one foot-pound is 1.3558179 joules. Both figures come from the same defined relation rather than from a measurement, which is why they are the same today as they were in 1959.
Every energy unit here
| Unit | Symbol | One of these is |
|---|---|---|
| Joules | J | the base unit |
| Kilojoules | kJ | 1000 joule |
| Calories | cal | 4.184 joule |
| Kilocalories | kcal | 4184 joule |
| Watt-hours | Wh | 3600 joule |
| Kilowatt-hours | kWh | 3600000 joule |
| British thermal units | BTU | 1055.0559 joule |
| Foot-pounds | ft·lbf | 1.3558179 joule |
Source: NIST Special Publication 811 — the thermochemical calorie is exactly 4.184 J
Questions people actually ask
- How many foot-pounds are in a joule?
- 0.73756215. A pound-force acting through one foot. The same arithmetic as the torque unit of that name, and a different quantity: this one is work done, not twist applied.
- How do I convert foot-pounds back to joules?
- Divide by 0.73756215, or multiply by 1.3558179 — they are the same operation.
Other energy conversions
Foot-pounds to joules — the same conversion the other way.