Torque
Embed This Widget
Add the script tag and a data attribute to embed this widget.
Embed via iframe for maximum compatibility.
<iframe src="https://unitfyi.com/iframe/glossary/torque-def-eng/" width="420" height="400" frameborder="0" style="border:0;border-radius:10px;max-width:100%" loading="lazy"></iframe>Paste this URL in WordPress, Medium, or any oEmbed-compatible platform.
https://unitfyi.com/glossary/torque-def-eng/Add a dynamic SVG badge to your README or docs.
[](https://unitfyi.com/glossary/torque-def-eng/)Use the native HTML custom element.
Definition
Torque is the rotational equivalent of force, equal to the applied force multiplied by the perpendicular distance from the pivot point, measured in newton-meters (N·m) or pound-feet (lb·ft).
Explanation
A 20 N force applied 0.5 m from a bolt produces 10 N·m of torque. Car engine torque—typically 200–600 N·m for passenger vehicles—determines acceleration feel at low speeds, while horsepower governs top-end performance. Torque wrenches allow fasteners to be tightened to precise specifications, preventing both under-tightening (joint failure) and over-tightening (stripped threads).
RELATED ARTICLES
From automotive specs to bolt tightening, torque units explained — N·m, lb·ft, kgf·m, and how torque relates to power.
Pressure Units Explained: Pascal, PSI, Bar, and ATMA practical guide to pressure units used in weather, engineering, medicine, and diving — with conversion factors and real-world reference points.
Density Units: kg/m³, g/cm³, and Specific GravityA practical guide to density units — how they relate, what common materials weigh per volume, and why objects float or sink.
RELATED TERMS
Stress
Stress is the internal force per unit area within a material resulting from externally applied forces, measured in pascals (Pa) or pounds per square inch (psi).
Strain
Strain is the dimensionless ratio of a material's deformation (change in length) to its original length under applied stress: ε = ΔL/L₀.
Viscosity
Viscosity is a fluid's resistance to deformation or flow, quantifying internal friction between fluid layers; dynamic viscosity is measured in pascal-seconds (Pa·s) or centipoise (cP).
RPM
RPM (revolutions per minute) is a unit of rotational speed measuring how many complete turns an object makes in one minute.
Tensile Strength
Tensile strength is the maximum stress a material can withstand while being stretched before it fractures, measured in megapascals (MPa) or pounds per square inch (psi).