Potential Energy Calculator

Calculate gravitational potential energy, mass, or height with unit and gravity presets

Mass 0 kg
Height 0 m
Potential Energy 0 J
Gravity 9.81 m/s²
Enter mass and height to see the visualization
Potential Energy
0 J
PE = m Ɨ g Ɨ h

Energy Equivalents

Logarithmic energy scale
1 J 100 J 10 kJ 1 MJ 100 MJ

Clickable Reference — Gravity by Planet

BodyGravity (m/s²)PE of 1 kg at 1 m
Moon try it1.621.62 J
Mars try it3.713.71 J
Venus try it8.878.87 J
Earth try it9.8079.81 J
Jupiter try it24.7924.79 J

Clickable Reference — Common Scenarios

ScenarioMassHeightPE (Earth)
Phone lifted to table try it0.15 kg1.5 m2.2 J
Book to shelf try it2 kg1.5 m29.4 J
Backpack overhead try it8 kg2 m157 J
Person climbing stairs try it70 kg3 m2,059 J
Car on hydraulic lift try it1,500 kg1.8 m26.5 kJ
Skydiver at 100 m try it80 kg100 m78.5 kJ

How the Potential Energy Formula Works

Gravitational potential energy is stored energy caused by position in a gravity field. Near a planet's surface, the formula is:

PE = m Ɨ g Ɨ h

Where m is mass in kilograms, g is gravity in meters per second squared, and h is height in meters. The result is in joules (J). Double any one of these values and potential energy doubles too.

This tool also rearranges the same formula when needed: m = PE / (g Ɨ h) and h = PE / (m Ɨ g). Inputs in pounds, feet, watt-hours, and other units are converted to SI units internally for consistent math, then displayed back in the unit you selected.

This model assumes constant gravity and ignores air resistance, friction, and system losses. It is ideal for education and rough planning. For critical engineering decisions, validate with full system calculations.

About This Tool

This potential energy calculator is for students, educators, and engineers who need fast and trustworthy gravitational energy checks. Instead of manually rearranging formulas and converting units, you can switch between finding energy, mass, or height in one place and test scenarios in seconds.

The interactive sliders let you explore how changing mass or height affects energy in real time. Planet gravity cards make it easy to compare energy stored on Earth vs. the Moon, Mars, or Jupiter.

Everything runs locally in your browser. No inputs are sent to any server, and nothing is stored.

Privacy & Limitations

  • All calculations run entirely in your browser -- nothing is sent to any server.
  • Results are computed using standard formulas and should be verified for critical applications.

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Potential Energy Calculator FAQ

What is Potential Energy Calculator?

Potential Energy Calculator is a free engineering & physics tool that helps you Calculate gravitational potential energy, mass, or height with unit and gravity presets.

How do I use Potential Energy Calculator?

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 Potential Energy Calculator 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 Potential Energy Calculator 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 Potential Energy Calculator?

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 Potential Energy Calculator?

You can bookmark this page and copy outputs manually. Results are not persisted in your account and are typically not embedded in the URL.

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