Work calculator (force × distance)
Enter the force, the distance and the angle between the force and the motion. An angle of 0 means the force points along the motion.
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Processing and privacy: The result is calculated inside your browser and your data is not sent to any server.
How to use it
- Enter force, displacement and angle between force and motion.
- The result appears straight away and updates as you edit.
- Copy the result, or copy a link that keeps the same values to share it.
How it is calculated
W = F × d × cos θ, where F is the force, d the displacement and θ the angle between them.
Example
Inputs: Force = 50 N, Displacement = 10 m, Angle between force and motion = 0 degrees. Result: Work: 500 J; In kilojoules: 0.5 kJ; Force component along the motion: 50 N.
Limits and caveats
- Assumes the force is constant in size and direction over the displacement.
- Angles above 90 degrees give negative work, meaning the force opposes the motion.
Questions about this tool
When is the work zero?
When the force is perpendicular to the motion (90 degrees) or there is no displacement. Carrying a bag while walking level does no work on it in theory.
What unit is work measured in?
The joule: the work done by a 1 newton force over 1 meter in its direction.
What does negative work mean?
The force opposes the motion and takes energy away, like friction slowing a sliding box.