How to use the potential energy calculator
The result panel stays hidden until you select Calculate. Changing a value or unit clears the previous result, so select Calculate again after an edit. The calculation uses PE = m × g × h and lists the supplied values, unit conversions, and arithmetic in Formula & steps.
- Enter a positive number in Mass (m), then choose Mass unit.
- Enter zero or a positive number in Height (h), then choose Height unit.
- Choose Gravity assumption (g). Select Custom to edit Gravity value (m/s²); a preset fills that field for you.
- Select Calculate to show potential energy, the formula, conversions, and intermediate values.
- Select Copy result or Download result (.txt) for the plain-text output. Select Reset to clear the calculation and restore the default units and Earth preset.
What units does a gravitational potential energy calculator support?
Mass unit lists Kilograms (kg), Grams (g), Pounds (lb), Slugs, and Metric tons (t). Height unit lists Meters (m), Centimeters (cm), Kilometers (km), Feet (ft), Inches (in), and Miles (mi). Gravity assumption (g) lists Earth, Moon, Mars, Jupiter, and Custom. With Custom selected, enter Gravity value (m/s²). The result statistics show J, kJ, kcal, ft·lb, kWh, and BTU. Download result (.txt) also includes cal.
What does PE = mgh calculate?
The calculator converts Mass (m) to kilograms and Height (h) to meters, then multiplies those values by Gravity value (m/s²). With these entries:
Mass (m): 2 kg
Height (h): 5 m
Gravity assumption (g): Earth
Potential energy: 98.0665 JThe result also appears in kJ, kcal, ft·lb, kWh, and BTU. The downloaded text includes the calorie value and the same calculation steps.
What inputs does the calculator reject?
Mass must be a finite number greater than zero. Height must be finite and zero or positive. Gravity must be finite and greater than zero. Empty and non-numeric entries fail validation, as do negative values and values above 1e12. The calculator also rejects a result that is not finite. Height zero produces zero potential energy.
The selected gravity stays constant across the supplied height. The calculator does not adjust gravity for altitude or calculate kinetic, elastic, or electrical potential energy.
When this calculation fits
- Compare the same mass and height with the Earth and Moon presets to see how the selected gravity changes the result.
- Enter a source value in Pounds (lb) and Feet (ft), then review the converted kilogram and meter values under Formula & steps.
- Keep the displayed formula and intermediate values with Copy result or Download result (.txt).
Which science calculator should you use?
Mass, height, and gravity are the inputs here. Use the Kinetic Energy Calculator for mass and speed. Use the Force Calculator for mass and acceleration. Use the Density Calculator for mass and volume. Browse Science Calculators for the other listed science calculations.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate gravitational potential energy with mass and height?
Multiply mass in kilograms by the selected gravity value and height in meters: PE = m × g × h. The calculator performs the mass and height conversions before showing the result.
Can I use pounds and feet in the potential energy calculator?
Select Pounds (lb) in Mass unit and Feet (ft) in Height unit. The calculation converts both entries to kilograms and meters before applying the formula.
Can I enter custom gravity for gravitational potential energy?
Select Custom in Gravity assumption (g), then enter a positive number in Gravity value (m/s²). The other choices are Earth, Moon, Mars, and Jupiter.
What happens if height is zero or mass is negative?
Height zero is accepted and gives zero potential energy. A negative height, or a mass that is zero or negative, displays an input error.
Does the calculator send my values anywhere?
The calculation runs in the browser, and the page script does not send entered values through a network request. Download result (.txt) creates a local text download. If Copy result cannot reach the clipboard, the result remains available for manual selection.