How to Use a Torque Wrench: Settings, Maintenance, & More

A torque wrench is a unique tool that can be adjusted to tighten nuts and bolts to a specific torque level, which is measured in foot-pounds or meters per kilogram. To adjust your torque wrench, loosen the cap on the bottom of the handle by turning it counterclockwise. Once it’s loose, slide the handle up or down the wrench until the tip of the handle rests on the horizontal hash mark closest to your desired setting. The horizontal hash marks on the wrench are in multiples of 10 and are used to measure larger changes in the torque. Next, make minor adjustments by twisting the handle clockwise to increase the torque, or counterclockwise to lower the torque. The vertical hash marks on the handle itself are labeled with single digits and are used to make minor changes. For example, to reach 202 foot pounds (2,660 meters per kilogram), slide the handle up to the 200 hash mark, then twist the handle itself until the 2 is lined up with the hash marks on the handle. Screw the cap on the bottom of the handle clockwise to tighten it and lock your torque setting in at its current level. Keep in mind that a torque wrench can only be used to tighten nuts or bolts. You’ll need to use a different tool to loosen them back up in the future. To learn how to use a dial torque wrench, read on!