Work (Energy) Calculator

How it is calculated

In physics, mechanical work is the energy transferred when a force moves an object along a path. The tool uses the simplest form: W = F × d, where F is the force in newtons (N) and d is the distance in metres (m). With those units the result is in joules (J), because 1 J = 1 N·m. The formula assumes the force is constant and points in the same direction as the movement. If the force acts at an angle θ to the motion, only the component along the path counts: W = F × d × cos θ, and you would multiply the force by cos θ yourself before entering it. The tool does not check the sign or range, so a negative force gives negative work, meaning energy taken from the object.

Common mistakes

• Entering the mass in kilograms instead of the force in newtons; to get the weight of an object, multiply the mass by 9.81 first.
• Entering the distance in centimetres or kilometres, which gives a result off by a factor of 100 or 1,000.
• Ignoring the angle: pulling a sled with a rope at 30 degrees only transfers F × cos 30° of the force along the path.
• Confusing work with power; power is work divided by time and is measured in watts.
• Using the total distance of a round trip, when a force that points back along the return path does negative work.