Torque Calculator
Calculate torque from force, lever arm, and angle.
This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional financial, medical, legal, or engineering advice. See Terms of Service.
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Enter the lever arm (distance from the axis of rotation), the applied force, and the angle between the force and lever arm. The calculator computes the torque in newton-meters.
About Torque
Torque is the rotational effect of a force applied at a distance from a pivot point. It equals r x F x sin(theta), where r is the lever arm, F is the force, and theta is the angle between them. Torque is central to mechanical engineering, appearing in the design of engines, gears, bolts, and rotating machinery. The rotational form of Newton's second law states that net torque equals moment of inertia times angular acceleration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is torque?
Torque is the rotational equivalent of force. It measures the tendency of a force to cause rotation about an axis. Torque equals the force times the perpendicular distance from the axis (lever arm).
Why does the angle matter?
Only the component of force perpendicular to the lever arm produces torque. At 90 degrees, torque is maximum. At 0 or 180 degrees (force along the lever arm), torque is zero.
What are the units of torque?
Torque is measured in newton-meters (N m). While this has the same units as energy (joules), torque and energy are different physical quantities.