Work Calculator
Find the work done by a force moving an object over a distance, including forces applied at an angle.
How to use the Work Calculator
- Enter the force and pick its unit.
- Enter the distance moved and pick its unit.
- Enter the angle between force and motion and pick its unit – 0° when pushing straight in the direction of motion.
- Enter the time taken and pick its unit.
- Press Calculate. The result updates automatically as you type, and you can switch the result unit at any time.
About the Work Calculator
In physics, work has a precise meaning: energy transferred when a force moves something. Only the part of the force pointing along the motion counts. Pulling a wagon by a handle angled 30° upward does less work on the wagon per meter than pulling it horizontally with the same force, because some of the pull is lifting rather than moving it forward.
If the force is perpendicular to the motion (θ = 90°), no work is done, which is why carrying a bag horizontally at constant height does no work on the bag in the physics sense, even though it tires you out. When the force opposes the motion, as friction does, the work is negative and energy is removed. Adding the time taken gives the average power.
Formula
W = F × d × cos θ
P = W ÷ t
F is the force, d the displacement and θ the angle between them. Work is in joules (1 J = 1 N·m). Example: pushing a crate with 50 N for 10 m in the direction of motion does 50 × 10 × cos 0° = 500 J of work.
Example calculation
Using the default values:
- Force = 50 N
- Distance moved = 10 m
- Angle between force and motion = 0 °
the calculator returns:
- Work done: 500 J
- Force component along the motion: 50 N
Frequently asked questions
What is the unit of work?
The joule (J), equal to one newton of force acting over one meter. In US units, work is often given in foot-pounds (1 ft·lb ≈ 1.356 J).
Is work a vector?
No. Work is a scalar: it has size and sign but no direction, even though it comes from two vectors (force and displacement).
How are work and energy related?
The work-energy theorem says the net work done on an object equals its change in kinetic energy.
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