What is a foot-pound per minute?

A foot-pound per minute (ft·lbf/min) is a unit of power in the US customary system. It represents the rate of doing work equal to one foot-pound of energy per minute. It is related to horsepower: 1 mechanical horsepower = 33,000 ft·lbf/min.

How many foot-pounds per minute is 1 watt?

1 watt equals 44.2537 foot-pounds per minute. This comes from 1 W = 1 J/s = 0.737562 ft·lbf/s × 60 s/min = 44.2537 ft·lbf/min.

How do I convert foot-pounds per minute back to watts?

Divide the ft·lbf/min value by 44.2537 to get watts. For example, 44,253.7 ft·lbf/min ÷ 44.2537 = 1,000 W (1 kW).

How does ft·lbf/min relate to horsepower?

One mechanical horsepower equals exactly 33,000 ft·lbf/min. Since 1 hp = 745.69987 W, dividing 33,000 by 745.69987 gives the 44.2537 conversion factor.

When is ft·lbf/min used instead of horsepower or kilowatts?

Foot-pounds per minute appear in older US mechanical engineering references, torque-speed calculations, and some HVAC and pump specifications where work rate must be expressed in base imperial units rather than the derived horsepower unit.

Watts to Foot Pounds per Minute Converter

Enter watts to instantly convert to foot-pounds per minute (ft·lbf/min), the mechanical power unit common in US engineering.

Enter Power in Watts

Watts (W)

Quick presets

1 W = 44.2537 ft·lbf/min

1 ft·lbf/min = 0.022597 W

33,000 ft·lbf/min = 1 mechanical hp

Conversion Result

Enter a watt value on the left to see the result.

Common Machinery Power Reference

Click any row to load that value.

Device / Motor	Watts	ft·lbf/min

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Summary

This tool converts a power value in watts to foot-pounds per minute (ft·lbf/min), a mechanical power unit widely used in US engineering for motors, engines, and industrial machinery. The conversion factor is 1 W = 44.2537 ft·lbf/min, derived from the definition of the watt (1 J/s) and the foot-pound force. A clickable reference table of common machinery ratings is included for quick lookup.

How it works

Enter any power value in watts into the input field.
The tool multiplies the watt value by 44.2537 to get foot-pounds per minute.
The result updates instantly as you type.
Click any row in the reference table to load that watt value automatically.
Use the Copy button to copy the result to your clipboard.

Use cases

Convert electric motor specs from watts to ft·lbf/min for US mechanical engineering documentation.
Cross-check pump or compressor datasheets that mix SI and imperial power units.
Verify engine power outputs when comparing international and domestic equipment specs.
Convert generator output ratings for use in imperial-unit engineering calculations.
Translate SI power values for machinery manuals written in US customary units.
Estimate mechanical work rate in foot-pounds per minute for drivetrain analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-19 · Reviewed by Nham Vu