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Work (Energy) Calculator

Find the work done by a force over a distance.

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.

Worked example

Someone pushes a crate with a steady force of 50 N over a distance of 12 m, in the direction of motion. Work = 50 N × 12 m = 600.00 J. That is 600 joules of energy transferred to the crate, which goes into kinetic energy if there is no friction, or into heat if friction balances the push. Doubling the distance to 24 m would double the work to 1,200 J.

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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.

About this calculator

This calculator applies the basic physics definition of mechanical work, W = F × d — force multiplied by the distance moved in the direction of that force — measured in joules when force is in newtons and distance is in meters.

It's used to solve textbook problems like how much work is done pushing a box across a floor or lifting a weight, and it forms the foundation engineers use when calculating the energy a machine, motor, or muscle needs to expend to move a load a given distance.

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Comments (1)

  • Editorial team

    The tool multiplies force in newtons by distance in metres and has no angle input, so it assumes the force acts along the direction of motion. If you pull a sled with a rope at an angle, multiply the force by the cosine of that angle first. A negative force is accepted and gives negative work, meaning the force opposes the motion, as friction does. Would an angle input make this more useful for your problems?

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