Force Calculator

Calculate force from mass and acceleration using Newton’s second law.

About Force Calculator

Newton’s second law relates net force to the acceleration it produces. Multiplying force by the time it acts gives impulse, which equals the change in momentum. It is the net force that matters: a heavy object moving at constant speed needs zero net force however much thrust is applied against friction.

Formula

Force

F = m a

F: Net force in newtons
a: Acceleration produced

Worked example

With the default values below, Force Calculator returns Force of 280.000. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Massminimum 0 kg: 80 kg
Accelerationminimum -100 m/s2: 3.5 m/s2
Time force is appliedminimum 0.01 s: 4 s

Results

Force: 280.000 N
Weight of the Mass on Earth: 784.80 N
Change in Velocity: 14.000 m/s
Impulse Delivered: 1,120.000 N s
Force Expressed as Kilogram-Force: 28.542 kgf

Step by step

1Values used
2Force
3Force= 280.000 N
4Weight of the Mass on Earth= 784.80 N
5Change in Velocity= 14.000 m/s
6Impulse Delivered= 1,120.000 N s
7Force Expressed as Kilogram-Force= 28.542 kgf

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 3 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Force calculated?

F = m a Newton’s second law relates net force to the acceleration it produces. Multiplying force by the time it acts gives impulse, which equals the change in momentum.

Why does Force matter?

It is the net force that matters: a heavy object moving at constant speed needs zero net force however much thrust is applied against friction.

What values do I need to enter?

This calculator takes 3 inputs: Mass, Acceleration, Time force is applied. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.