Convert energy units — joules, kilowatt-hours, calories, BTU, electron volts and more.
| Unit | Name | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 0.001 cal | 0.00308596 ft·lb | |
| 0.01 cal | 0.0308596 ft·lb | |
| 0.1 cal | 0.308596 ft·lb | |
| 1 cal | 3.08596 ft·lb | |
| 5 cal | 15.4298 ft·lb | |
| 10 cal | 30.8596 ft·lb | |
| 50 cal | 154.298 ft·lb | |
| 100 cal | 308.596 ft·lb | |
| 1000 cal | 3085.96 ft·lb |
Formula: Foot-Pound = Calorie × 3.086
Multiply any calorie value by 3.086 to get foot-pound.
Reverse: Calorie = Foot-Pound × 0.324
Common calorie values — factor: 1 cal = 3.086 ft·lb
| Calorie (cal) | Foot-Pound (ft·lb) | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cal | 3.086 ft·lb | 1 cal |
| 5 cal | 15.43 ft·lb | 5 cal |
| 10 cal | 30.86 ft·lb | Small candy |
| 50 cal | 154.3 ft·lb | 50 cal |
| 100 cal | 308.6 ft·lb | Short walk |
| 500 cal | 1,543 ft·lb | Snack |
| 1,000 cal | 3,086 ft·lb | Light meal |
| 5,000 cal | 1.543e+04 ft·lb | Meal |
| 1e+04 cal | 3.086e+04 ft·lb | Large meal |
| 5e+04 cal | 1.543e+05 ft·lb | Daily intake fraction |
| 1e+05 cal | 3.086e+05 ft·lb | 100 kcal |
| 5e+05 cal | 1.543e+06 ft·lb | 500 kcal workout |
| 1e+06 cal | 3.086e+06 ft·lb | 1 Mcal |
| 1.000e+09 cal | 3.086e+09 ft·lb | 1 Gcal |
| 1.000e+12 cal | 3.086e+12 ft·lb | 1 Tcal |
1 cal = 3.086 ft·lb. Memorize for instant estimates.
Use 3.086 as a quick mental multiplier.
Multiply result by 0.324 to recover the original cal value.
Torques bolts and fasteners to specified ft·lb values using a torque wrench.
Rates firearm muzzle energy in ft·lb for US ammunition comparisons.
Calculates impact energy absorption in ft·lb for US building codes.
Measures and compares engine torque output in ft·lb on a dyno.
Specifies fall arrest and impact energy in ft·lb for OSHA compliance.
Evaluates hunting cartridge terminal energy in ft·lb for ethical dispatch.
The calorie (cal) was defined in 1824 as the heat needed to raise 1 gram of water by 1°C. There are two versions: the small calorie (cal = 4.184 J) and the large calorie or kilocalorie (kcal = 4,184 J), which is the 'Calorie' used in nutrition.
The calorie remains standard in chemistry for heat of reaction measurements. In the US, food packaging uses 'Calories' (with capital C) which are actually kilocalories — a persistent source of confusion.
Interesting fact: The confusion between cal and kcal means that a food label saying '200 Calories' actually means 200 kcal = 200,000 cal = 836,800 joules. The SI unit for food energy is the kilojoule.
The foot-pound (ft·lb) is an Imperial unit of energy equal to the work done when a force of one pound-force moves an object one foot, equaling 1.35582 joules. It has been used in British and American engineering since the 18th century.
Foot-pounds are standard in US mechanical engineering for torque specifications, engine output (often ft·lb of torque), and ballistic energy measurements. Rifle bullet energies are commonly quoted in foot-pounds in American publications.
Interesting fact: A typical 9mm pistol bullet has about 350 ft·lb of muzzle energy. The torque specification for tightening a car wheel bolt is typically 80–100 ft·lb. One horsepower equals 550 ft·lb per second.
Converting calorie to foot-pound is common across energy, nutrition, engineering, and science. Different sectors use different energy units — joules in physics, kcal in nutrition, kWh in electricity, and BTU in HVAC — making accurate conversion essential for cross-disciplinary work and international comparisons.
Quick reference: 5 cal = 15.43 ft·lb and 10 cal = 30.86 ft·lb. Reverse: 1 ft·lb = 0.324 cal. Exact factor: 1 cal = 3.086 ft·lb.
All conversions use IEEE 754 double-precision arithmetic, accurate to at least 8 significant figures.