Dedicated converter

newton per mm to lbs per inch

N/mm and lbs/in are the two dialects of spring rate — how much force a spring adds per unit of compression. Coilover shoppers meet both constantly; this converter translates exactly between them.

The Converter

N/mm → lbf/in
N/mm
lbf/in
Precision
Quick values

Total Working

Formula k(lbf/in) = k(N/mm) × 5.7101471547
Substitute
Result
1 N/mm = 5.7101471547 lbf/in
Newtons per millimeter (N/mm) Pounds per inch (lbf/in)
1 5.7101
5 28.5507
10 57.1015
20 114.2029
30 171.3044
40 228.4059
50 285.5074
60 342.6088
80 456.8118
100 571.0147

The exact factor

1 N/mm = 5.7101471547 lbf/in

Derived from the defined constants 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg and gₙ = 9.80665 m/s² — no measurement error, only display rounding.

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How the spring-rate factor works

Convert the force and the length separately: 1 N = 0.2248089431 lbf, and one millimeter of travel is 1/25.4 of an inch — so per inch you get 25.4× the force. Multiply: 0.2248089 × 25.4 = 5.7101472.

Example: an 8 kg/mm-equivalent coilover spring of 78.5 N/mm converts to 78.5 × 5.71015 = 448.2 lbf/in — sold in the US as a “450 lb spring”.

Reading spring catalogs

Japanese and European catalogs list N/mm (or kgf/mm — multiply kgf/mm by 9.80665 to get N/mm first). US catalogs list lbs/in. Typical passenger-car rates run 20–60 N/mm (115–345 lbf/in); motorsport springs run far higher.

Mixing the units up by 5.7× is a common and expensive suspension-ordering mistake — always convert, never assume.

Questions, answered

Frequently asked

What is 10 N/mm in lbs per inch? +
10 × 5.7101472 = 57.10 lbf/in.
How do I convert kg/mm spring rates? +
kgf/mm × 9.80665 = N/mm, then × 5.7101472 = lbf/in. Shortcut: kgf/mm × 55.997 ≈ lbf/in.
How do I go from lbs/in back to N/mm? +
Divide by 5.7101472 (or multiply by 0.1751268). A 500 lb/in spring is 87.56 N/mm.
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