Gravity Vector
Understanding the Display
The Vector Arrow
The arrow shows the direction of gravity as sensed by your phone. When you lay your phone flat (screen up), the arrow points straight at you because gravity pulls "down" through the screen. Tilt your phone and watch the arrow follow gravity's direction.
X, Y, Z Axes
- X axis: Points right when holding phone in portrait mode
- Y axis: Points up toward the top of the phone
- Z axis: Points out of the screen toward you
Magnitude
The magnitude shows total gravitational acceleration. On Earth, this should be approximately 1g (9.81 m/s²). Slight variations are normal due to sensor accuracy.
Gravity Reference Values
| Location/Condition | Gravity (g) | m/s² |
|---|---|---|
| Earth (sea level, equator) | 1.00 | 9.78 |
| Earth (sea level, poles) | 1.00 | 9.83 |
| International Space Station | 0.89 | 8.7 |
| Moon surface | 0.16 | 1.62 |
| Mars surface | 0.38 | 3.72 |
| Free fall | 0.00 | 0.00 |
How Accelerometers Work
Your phone contains a tiny MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) accelerometer — essentially a microscopic weight on springs. When acceleration occurs (including gravity's constant pull), this weight shifts, and the phone measures that displacement.
When your phone is stationary, the only acceleration it detects is gravity. By measuring how gravity distributes across the X, Y, and Z axes, apps can determine your phone's orientation without a gyroscope.
Common Uses
- Screen rotation: Detects portrait vs landscape orientation
- Step counting: Detects walking motion patterns
- Gaming: Tilt-based controls in games
- Drop detection: Triggers protective measures before impact
About This Tool
This visualizer displays raw accelerometer data including the gravity component. It's useful for understanding how your phone senses orientation, testing sensor functionality, or learning about physics and acceleration.
Privacy: All sensor data is processed locally in your browser. No data is stored or transmitted anywhere.
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Gravity Vector Visualizer FAQ
What is Gravity Vector Visualizer?
Gravity Vector Visualizer is a free utility & everyday tool that helps you Visualize gravity direction with real-time accelerometer data.
How do I use Gravity Vector Visualizer?
Enter your input values, review the calculated output, and adjust inputs until you reach the result you need. The result updates in your browser.
Is Gravity Vector Visualizer private?
Yes. Calculations run locally in your browser. Inputs are not uploaded to a server by default, and refreshing the page clears session data.
Does Gravity Vector Visualizer require an account or installation?
No. You can use this tool directly in your browser without sign-up or software installation.
How accurate are results from Gravity Vector Visualizer?
This tool applies standard formulas or deterministic processing logic for estimates. For medical, legal, tax, or investment decisions, verify with a qualified professional.
Can I save or share outputs from Gravity Vector Visualizer?
You can bookmark this page and copy outputs manually. Results are not persisted in your account and are typically not embedded in the URL.