Foot Pounds to Calories
Type a value in either box to convert between foot pounds and calories. The factor is 0.324048.
| Foot Pounds | Calories |
|---|---|
| 1 ft·lb | 0.324048 cal |
| 2 ft·lb | 0.648097 cal |
| 3 ft·lb | 0.972145 cal |
| 5 ft·lb | 1.620241 cal |
| 10 ft·lb | 3.240483 cal |
| 25 ft·lb | 8.101207 cal |
| 50 ft·lb | 16.202413 cal |
| 100 ft·lb | 32.404827 cal |
How to use
- Enter a value in the Foot Pounds field.
- The Calories figure appears immediately — no button to press.
- Typing in the Calories field converts back to Foot Pounds the same way.
- Use the reference table for the values that come up most often.
Foot Pounds to Calories formula
To convert foot pounds to calories, multiply by 0.324048267.
cal = ft·lb × 0.324048267
Why this factor: the foot-pound and the calorie are both defined against the joule, so dividing one definition by the other gives 0.324048267 directly. Both definitions are set out in full below.
To go the other way, divide by 0.324048267 — or use the Calories to Foot Pounds converter, which is the same calculation reversed.
Worked example
Given 500 ft·lb, multiplying by 0.324048267 yields 162.024133 cal.
500 ft·lb × 0.324048267 = 162.024133 cal
The converter above does this for any value you type, in either direction.
What is a foot-pound?
A foot-pound is the work done by one pound-force acting through one foot.
Definition: About 1.3558179 joules.
Where it is used: US mechanical work and torque figures, fastener specifications, and firearm muzzle energy.
Worth knowing: As a torque unit it is properly 'pound-foot' (lbf·ft); as an energy unit it is 'foot-pound'. The numbers coincide but the quantities differ.
What is a calorie?
A calorie is the energy needed to warm one gram of water by one degree Celsius.
Definition: The thermochemical calorie is defined as exactly 4.184 joules.
Where it is used: Chemistry and physics literature, and older engineering references.
Worth knowing: The 'calories' on a nutrition label are actually kilocalories — 1,000 of these. A 500-Calorie meal is 500 kcal, or about 2.1 million joules.
Foot Pounds vs Calories
The foot-pound is a US customary unit while the calorie is a specialized unit. That is why the factor between them is not a round number: the two systems were defined independently and only later tied together by exact agreement.
Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in a foot-pound?
One foot-pound equals 0.324048267 calories.
What is the formula to convert foot pounds to calories?
Multiply the number of foot pounds by 0.324048267. To reverse it, divide by 0.324048267 instead.
How do I convert calories back to foot pounds?
Divide by 0.324048267, which is the same as multiplying by 3.08596003.
How many calories are in 10 foot pounds?
10 ft·lb works out to 3.240483 cal.
Is there anything to watch out for with foot pounds?
As a torque unit it is properly 'pound-foot' (lbf·ft); as an energy unit it is 'foot-pound'. The numbers coincide but the quantities differ.
How is the foot-pound defined?
About 1.3558179 joules.