How many foot-pounds are in one joule?

One joule equals 0.737562 foot-pounds (ft·lbf). Conversely, 1 ft·lbf = 1.35582 J.

What is a foot-pound (ft·lbf)?

A foot-pound is a unit of energy (or work) in the imperial system. It equals the energy transferred when a one-pound force acts through a displacement of one foot. It is also used for torque in the US, but torque ft·lbf and energy ft·lbf are dimensionally equivalent.

How do I convert kilojoules to foot-pounds?

Multiply your kJ value by 737.562 to get ft·lbf. For example, 1 kJ = 737.562 ft·lbf. You can also type directly into the kJ field in this tool.

Is foot-pound the same as pound-foot?

The terms foot-pound (ft·lbf) and pound-foot (lb·ft) refer to the same quantity. "Foot-pound" is traditional for energy/work; "pound-foot" is often used for torque in automotive contexts, but the unit size is identical.

How many joules are in 1 foot-pound?

1 ft·lbf = 1.35581794833 joules exactly (by definition of the international foot and pound-force).

Where is the foot-pound unit commonly used?

Foot-pounds appear frequently in US automotive (engine torque), firearms (muzzle energy), archery (draw energy), and mechanical engineering contexts. Most other countries use joules or newton-meters.

Joules to Foot-Pounds Converter

Name: Joules to Foot-Pounds Converter
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Enter joules or foot-pounds for instant bidirectional energy conversion. Includes a reference table for common values.

Joules ↔ Foot-Pounds Converter

Joules (J)

Kilojoules (kJ)

⇅

Foot-Pounds (ft·lbf)

ft·lbf

1 ft·lbf = 1.35581795 J — 1 J = 0.737562 ft·lbf

Quick Reference Table

Common joule values in foot-pounds (1 J = 0.737562 ft·lbf)

Joules (J)	kJ	ft·lbf

1 ft·lbf = 1.35581794833 J — international foot and pound-force definition

Common real-world references

Typical car engine torque: 150–400 ft·lbf (200–540 J equivalent as a torque magnitude)
9mm pistol muzzle energy: ~500 J (370 ft·lbf)
.308 rifle muzzle energy: ~3,600 J (2,650 ft·lbf)
Snapping a pencil: ~1 J (0.74 ft·lbf)
One food calorie (kcal): 4,184 J (3,085 ft·lbf)

Summary

Enter joules or foot-pounds for instant bidirectional energy conversion. Includes a reference table for common values.

How it works

Enter a value in the Joules field to see the foot-pound (and kJ) equivalent instantly.
Enter a value in the Foot-Pounds field to reverse-convert back to joules and kJ.
The kJ field also accepts input and converts in both directions.
All fields update in real time — no button click needed.
Click any row in the reference table to load that value into the converter.

Use cases

Convert torque specs from newton-meters to foot-pounds for automotive work.
Translate physics homework answers between SI joules and imperial ft·lbf.
Compare firearm muzzle energy ratings given in foot-pounds against joule figures.
Convert impact energy specifications in structural engineering between unit systems.
Verify bow or crossbow draw energy figures reported in both joules and foot-pounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-07-22 · Reviewed by Nham Vu