Torque Calculator

Introduction

Torque is the turning force that makes things spin or rotate. Think of it like using a wrench to turn a bolt - the harder you push and the longer the wrench, the more turning force you create. This torque calculator helps you find out how much turning force you have when you know the force you're using and how far from the center you're pushing.

To use this tool, you need two things: the force (measured in Newtons) and the distance from the turning point (measured in meters). The calculator will multiply these numbers to give you the torque in Newton-meters. This is useful for many real-world problems, like figuring out how much force you need to open a door, turn a steering wheel, or tighten a screw. If you need to calculate the basic force in your system first, try our Force Calculator.

How to use our Torque Calculator

Enter your force, distance, and angle values to find torque. Pick what you want to solve for and click calculate to get your answer.

Force: Type in how hard you push or pull. Pick your units like newtons or pounds.

Distance/Lever Arm: Enter how far from the center point your force acts. Choose meters, feet, or other units.

Angle: Set the angle between your force and lever arm. Use 90 degrees for the most torque.

System Efficiency: Enter how well your system works as a percent. Use 100% if there's no energy loss.

Safety Factor: Add a safety number to make your design stronger. Use 1 for no extra safety.

Direction: Pick if the turning goes clockwise or the other way around.

Calculation Tabs: Switch between basic torque, power math, or special systems like gears and pulleys.

Quick Presets: Click a preset button to load common examples like a wrench or door handle.

Results: See your answer in both metric and imperial units after you click calculate.

Understanding Torque

Torque is a twisting force that makes things rotate. Think of it like turning a door handle or using a wrench to tighten a bolt. When you push or pull on something that can spin around a point, you create torque. The farther away from the center you push, the easier it becomes to turn the object. For rotating objects with significant mass and speed, you might also want to calculate their Momentum Calculator to understand their motion better.

How Torque Works

Torque depends on three main things. First is the force you apply - how hard you push or pull. Second is the distance from where you push to the center of rotation. This distance is called the lever arm. Third is the angle at which you apply the force. Pushing straight down at 90 degrees gives you the most torque. When dealing with springs or elastic materials, the Spring Force Calculator can help determine the forces involved.

Real-World Examples

You use torque every day without thinking about it. Opening a door is easier when you push at the handle far from the hinges. A longer wrench makes it easier to loosen tight bolts. Bicycle pedals use torque to turn the wheels. Car engines produce torque to make vehicles move. Even simple tasks like turning a steering wheel or opening a jar lid involve torque. In vehicles experiencing rapid rotation or turns, the G Force Calculator can help understand the forces passengers experience.

Measuring Torque

We measure torque in Newton-meters (N⋅m) in the metric system or pound-feet (lb⋅ft) in the imperial system. One Newton-meter means applying one Newton of force at

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the formula for calculating torque?

The basic formula for torque is τ = r × F × sin(θ). This means torque equals the distance from the pivot point times the force times the sine of the angle between them. When the force is at 90 degrees to the lever arm, sin(90°) = 1, so the formula becomes τ = r × F.

What units is torque measured in?

Torque is measured in Newton-meters (N⋅m) in the metric system and pound-feet (lb⋅ft) or pound-inches (lb⋅in) in the imperial system. The calculator shows results in both unit systems so you can use what works best for you.

How do I calculate torque for multiple forces?

Click the Multiple Forces tab and add each force one by one. Enter the force value, distance, angle, and direction for each one. The calculator adds up all the torques to give you the net torque. Forces going clockwise add together, while forces going the other way subtract.

What angle gives the most torque?

An angle of 90 degrees between the force and lever arm gives the most torque. At this angle, all your force goes into turning. At 0 degrees or 180 degrees, you get zero torque because the force just pushes or pulls along the lever arm without causing rotation.

How does the safety factor work?

The safety factor makes your design stronger than needed. A safety factor of 2 means your system can handle twice the calculated torque. This helps prevent breaks or failures. Use 1 for exact calculations or higher numbers for safer designs.

What is the difference between torque and power?

Torque is the turning force at one moment, while power is how fast work gets done. Power equals torque times rotational speed. A high torque at low speed can have the same power as low torque at high speed. Use the Rotational Power tab to calculate between them.

How do I use the belt and pulley calculator?

Enter the diameter of both pulleys and the input torque. The calculator finds the output torque using the pulley ratio. A bigger driven pulley gives more torque but turns slower. A smaller driven pulley gives less torque but spins faster.

What does system efficiency mean?

System efficiency tells you how much energy gets lost to friction and heat. At 100% efficiency, all input energy becomes useful work. Real systems are usually 70-95% efficient. Lower efficiency means you need more input force to get the same output torque.

Can I solve for force or distance instead of torque?

Yes! In the Basic Torque tab, click the Solve For buttons to choose what you want to find. You can solve for torque when you know force and distance, force when you know torque and distance, or distance when you know torque and force.

What are the quick presets for?

The preset buttons load common real-world examples to help you understand typical torque values. Try the wrench preset to see torque for tightening bolts, or the door handle preset for opening doors. These give you a starting point for your own calculations.