Kinetic & Potential Energy Calculator

Advanced, real-time conversion tool for physics students and professionals. Instantly calculate kinetic and potential energy with precision.

Kinetic Energy

Kinetic Energy:
0 J

Potential Energy

Potential Energy:
0 J

Energy Formulas

Kinetic Energy (KE)
KE = ½ × m × v²
m = mass, v = velocity
Potential Energy (PE)
PE = m × g × h
m = mass, g = 9.8 m/s², h = height

About This Energy Calculator

This free online Kinetic and Potential Energy Calculator is an essential tool for physics students, educators, and professionals. It provides instant, accurate calculations for kinetic energy (energy of motion) and potential energy (stored energy) based on fundamental physics formulas.

Kinetic energy represents the energy an object possesses due to its motion. It's calculated using the formula KE = ½ × m × v², where 'm' is the object's mass in kilograms and 'v' is its velocity in meters per second. Potential energy (gravitational) is the energy stored in an object due to its position in a gravitational field, calculated with PE = m × g × h, where 'g' is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s² on Earth) and 'h' is the height in meters.

Key Features and Benefits

  • Real-time calculations - See results instantly as you input values
  • Bidirectional conversion - Calculate both kinetic and potential energy simultaneously
  • Educational value - Understand the relationship between mass, velocity, height, and energy
  • Precision - Accurate calculations with support for decimal values
  • Completely free - No signup required, no hidden fees
  • Responsive design - Works perfectly on mobile, tablet, and desktop devices

Practical Applications

This tool is invaluable for solving physics problems, verifying homework solutions, designing experiments, and understanding energy conservation principles. Whether you're studying basic mechanics or working on engineering projects, our calculator helps you:

  • Determine the energy requirements for mechanical systems
  • Calculate the stopping distance for vehicles
  • Design roller coasters and other amusement park rides
  • Understand renewable energy systems like hydroelectric power
  • Analyze sports performance and biomechanics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is kinetic energy?

Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its motion. It depends on both the object's mass and its velocity. The faster an object moves or the heavier it is, the more kinetic energy it has.

What is potential energy?

Potential energy is the stored energy an object has due to its position or state. Gravitational potential energy specifically refers to energy stored in an object based on its height above a reference point in a gravitational field.

How accurate are the calculations?

Our calculator uses precise physics formulas and JavaScript's floating-point arithmetic to provide highly accurate results. For most educational and professional purposes, the calculations are accurate to 15 decimal places.

Can I use this on my mobile device?

Absolutely! Our energy calculator is fully responsive and works perfectly on all devices including smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers. The touch-friendly interface ensures easy input on any screen size.

Is this calculator free to use?

Yes, this is a completely free tool with no registration required. We believe in making physics education accessible to everyone without financial barriers.

What units should I use?

Our calculator uses the International System of Units (SI): kilograms (kg) for mass, meters per second (m/s) for velocity, meters (m) for height, and joules (J) for energy. Be sure to convert your values to these units before input.