Work Calculator

W = F × d × cosθ or W = m × g × h
Choose how work should be calculated.
Quick summary
Select a mode, enter the required values, then click Calculate.
Force may be positive or negative.
Displacement may be positive or negative.
If left empty, angle defaults to 0°.
Mass must be 0 or greater.
Height may be positive or negative.
Custom gravity must be greater than 0.

Results

Work
J
Work
kJ
Work
Wh
Work
kWh
Work
ft·lbf
All results are derived from SI units first.

Use this Work Calculator to calculate mechanical work from force, displacement, and the angle between them. The calculator also supports work associated with lifting a mass vertically.

Calculation Methods

For a constant force:

W = F × d × cos(θ)

Where θ is the angle between the force and displacement directions.

For lifting a mass through a vertical height:

W = m × g × h

Example

If a constant 60 N force moves an object 5 m at an angle of 30° to the displacement:

W = 60 × 5 × cos(30°)

W ≈ 259.8 J

Important Note

Only the component of force parallel to the displacement contributes to work. At 0°, work is F × d; at 90°, the force does zero work on that displacement; and angles greater than 90° can produce negative work.

The simple formula assumes a constant force. A force that changes with position generally requires a more detailed calculation.

Source

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