Solve common physics problems with clear inputs, unit checks, and step-by-step working.

Physics Calculator

This Physics Calculator helps you quickly compute core quantities like speed, acceleration, force, work, power, and more—without switching between multiple tools. Choose a mode, enter values with units, and get a clean result plus a readable breakdown of the math.

It’s designed for students, lab work, and practical engineering checks where you want both the answer and the reasoning. If you’re exploring multiple topics, you can also browse the All Calculators page to find related tools, especially in the Scientific Calculators hub.

Each mode uses standard SI formulas, validates common sign/unit issues, and applies your chosen rounding settings. For broader technical tools, you may also want the Engineering Calculators category when your work crosses into applied design.

Calculator Tool

Tip: Pick the mode that matches what you’re solving, then enter values in SI units. You can adjust rounding in Advanced.

Advanced Rounding + extra unit hints (layout stays stacked)
Rounding: 2 decimals

Applies to results and intermediate steps shown below.

Results

Enter your values and press Calculate. Results will appear here with a step-by-step breakdown and copy controls.

How it works

This tool runs calculations locally in your browser using standard SI formulas. You pick a mode, enter numeric values, and the calculator validates common constraints (for example, time must be greater than zero in formulas that divide by time). Results are shown with a clear substitution step so you can verify units and signs.

Rounding is controlled by the Advanced setting. The result, conversions, and intermediate steps follow the same decimal policy so the display stays consistent. Explore more tools in Scientific Calculators if you’re working across multiple topics.

Formulas (all modes)

Speed: v = d / t
Acceleration: a = (v − u) / t
Force: F = m * a
Work: W = F * d
Power: P = W / t
Kinetic Energy: KE = 0.5 * m * v²
Momentum: p = m * v

More formulas

Density: ρ = m / V
Pressure: p = F / A
Ohm’s Law (Voltage): V = I * R
Ohm’s Law (Current): I = V / R
Ohm’s Law (Resistance): R = V / I
Potential Energy: PE = m * g * h
Hooke’s Law: F = k * x
Spring Energy: E = 0.5 * k * x²
Wave Speed: v = f * λ
Frequency: f = 1 / T
Electric Charge: Q = I * t
Electric Current: I = Q / t
Electric Power: P = V * I

Variables & units (SI)

d distance (m), t time (s), u initial velocity (m/s), v final velocity (m/s), a acceleration (m/s²), m mass (kg), F force (N)

Variables continued

W work (J), P power (W), KE kinetic energy (J), p momentum (kg·m/s), ρ density (kg/m³), V volume (m³), A area (m²), V voltage (V), I current (A), R resistance (Ω), PE potential energy (J), g gravity (m/s²), h height (m), k spring constant (N/m), x extension (m), λ wavelength (m), f frequency (Hz), T period (s), Q charge (C)

Use cases

These are practical situations where a quick physics check helps you make decisions or confirm homework and lab results:

  • School problems: compute speed and acceleration from a distance-time or velocity-time scenario, then confirm the sign matches the direction you chose.
  • Lab measurements: estimate density from mass and volume to compare materials or check whether a sample matches an expected range.
  • Simple mechanics: calculate force from mass and acceleration for push/pull estimates or basic motion analysis.
  • Energy checks: find kinetic energy and momentum to compare how changing speed affects safety or impact potential.
  • Electronics basics: compute voltage using Ohm’s law for quick sanity checks on circuits and component selections.

Examples

Example 1: Speed

Distance d = 120 m, time t = 15 s. Speed v = d / t = 120 / 15 = 8 m/s. In km/h, that’s 8 × 3.6 = 28.8 km/h.

Example 2: Force

Mass m = 6 kg, acceleration a = 2.5 m/s². Force F = m * a = 6 × 2.5 = 15 N. This is the net force required to produce that acceleration (ignoring friction and other forces).

Example 3: Ohm’s Law (Voltage)

Current I = 0.35 A, resistance R = 120 Ω. Voltage V = I * R = 0.35 × 120 = 42 V. If your measured voltage differs, check meter range and whether R is the total circuit resistance.

Common Mistakes

  • Mixing units (e.g., entering distance in km while assuming meters) without converting first.
  • Using time = 0 in formulas that divide by time (speed, acceleration, power), which is mathematically invalid.
  • Forgetting sign conventions: negative acceleration can be valid, but negative mass or negative area/volume is not physically meaningful.
  • Confusing pressure units: Pa is N/m², while kPa is 1000 Pa—easy to misread in results.
  • Using resistance in Ω but entering current in mA without converting to A (e.g., 350 mA = 0.35 A).

Quick Tips

  • Keep inputs in SI units first (m, s, kg, N, J, W, Pa, A, Ω) to avoid conversion mistakes.
  • Use the Advanced rounding setting when you need clean homework-friendly values or more precise lab reporting.
  • When velocity can be negative, decide a direction first (e.g., “forward is positive”) and stay consistent.
  • Check the secondary conversion card for sanity (like km/h, kW, g/cm³, kPa) before copying results.
  • If a result seems extreme, revisit units and confirm that denominators like time, area, or volume are not tiny by mistake.

Trust & Notes

Accuracy & method: Runs locally in your browser using standard SI formulas and clear unit handling.
Rounding policy: Controlled by the Advanced decimal setting; the same precision is applied to the result and shown steps.
Privacy-first: No inputs are sent anywhere—everything stays on your device.
Last Updated: January 2026
Sources & references: Standard physics textbooks and SI unit conventions.

FAQ

Which units should I use for the best results?

Use SI units whenever possible: meters (m) for distance, seconds (s) for time, kilograms (kg) for mass, newtons (N) for force, joules (J) for work and energy, watts (W) for power, pascals (Pa) for pressure, amperes (A) for current, and ohms (Ω) for resistance. The calculator also shows common conversions like km/h, kW, g/cm³, and kPa as a secondary insight. If you enter mixed units, convert first so the formula inputs match their stated units.

Can acceleration or velocity be negative?

Yes—negative velocity and negative acceleration can be physically meaningful, depending on your chosen direction. In one-dimensional problems, you typically pick a positive direction (for example, “to the right”), and values pointing the other way become negative. The tool allows negative velocity inputs for modes where direction matters, and it allows negative acceleration because objects can slow down or accelerate in the opposite direction. However, quantities like mass, time, area, and volume must remain greater than zero.

Why does the calculator reject time, area, or volume values of zero?

Several modes divide by a quantity, such as time in speed, acceleration, and power, or area in pressure, or volume in density. A zero denominator would make the formula undefined (division by zero), so the tool blocks it to prevent misleading outputs. In real measurements, a value of exactly zero for time, area, or volume usually indicates a data-entry mistake or missing unit conversion. Enter a realistic positive value, then confirm the displayed unit label matches what you intended to measure.

How is rounding applied, and what should I choose?

Rounding is controlled by the Advanced decimal setting (0–8). The calculator applies the chosen precision consistently to the final result and the step-by-step display so you see a coherent calculation story. For quick checks, 2 decimals is usually enough. For classroom work, you might choose 1–3 decimals depending on the problem statement. For lab reporting, you can match the precision of your measurement tools. If you need significant figures rather than fixed decimals, use a decimal level that reflects your data quality.

What does the “Secondary insight” card show?

The secondary card provides a helpful conversion or context that pairs naturally with the primary result. For speed, it shows km/h. For power, it switches to kW when values are large enough to be meaningful. For density, it shows g/cm³ for quick material comparisons. For pressure, it shows kPa. When the mode doesn’t have a standard conversion, the card gives a concise interpretation or cross-check to help you spot errors. The goal is to make the output easier to verify at a glance.

Is the animated bar an exact measurement tool?

The animated bar is a visual guide to relative magnitude, not a replacement for the numeric result. It uses a sensible range per mode (for example, typical speeds or everyday pressures) and fills proportionally up to that range. If your value exceeds the display maximum, the bar clamps at the end so the visualization stays readable, but the exact number is still shown clearly in the result. Use the bar to quickly judge “low vs typical vs high,” then rely on the numeric output for final work.

How do I copy results cleanly for homework or reports?

Use the copy buttons under the results. “Copy Result” captures only the mode name plus the final value and units—ideal for short answers. “Copy Full Summary” includes your inputs with units and the step-by-step substitution, which is useful for showing method. “Copy Page Summary” gives a brief explanation of what this Physics Calculator does and lists the supported modes along with the website URL. Copy works on desktop and mobile using the Clipboard API, with a fallback method if needed.

Does this tool store or send my data anywhere?

No. The calculator runs locally in your browser, and it does not transmit input values to a server. When you enter numbers, compute results, and copy text, those actions happen on your device. This design is helpful for privacy and also makes the tool fast and responsive. If you refresh the page or press Reset, the tool clears the displayed values and results. For best practice, still avoid entering sensitive personal data—physics inputs are usually measurements, so privacy concerns are typically minimal.

FAQ Schema

Related calculators

Quick navigation

Copied!
🚧
Coming Soon

This calculator is being built.

×