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Potential Energy Calculator

Calculate gravitational potential energy from mass, height and gravity.

About Potential Energy Calculator

Potential energy is the work done lifting a mass against gravity, and it converts entirely into kinetic energy in a frictionless fall. Equating the two gives the impact speed shown. Pumped-storage hydro is exactly this equation at scale, which is why the kilowatt-hour figure is so small for everyday masses and heights.

Formula

Potential Energy

PE = m g h

m
Mass in kilograms
g
Gravitational acceleration
h
Height above the reference level

Worked example

With the default values below, Potential Energy Calculator returns Potential Energy of 9,810.00. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Massminimum 0 kg
50 kg
Heightminimum 0 m
20 m
Gravitational accelerationminimum 0.01 m/s2
9.81 m/s2

Results

Potential Energy
9,810.00 J
Potential Energy
9.810 kJ
Impact Speed if Dropped
19.81 m/s
Potential Energy
0.002725 kWh
Time to Fall That Height
2.019 s

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Potential Energy
  3. 3Potential Energy= 9,810.00 J
  4. 4Potential Energy= 9.810 kJ
  5. 5Impact Speed if Dropped= 19.81 m/s
  6. 6Potential Energy= 0.002725 kWh
  7. 7Time to Fall That Height= 2.019 s

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 6 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 Potential Energy calculated?

PE = m g h Potential energy is the work done lifting a mass against gravity, and it converts entirely into kinetic energy in a frictionless fall. Equating the two gives the impact speed shown.

Why does Potential Energy matter?

Pumped-storage hydro is exactly this equation at scale, which is why the kilowatt-hour figure is so small for everyday masses and heights.

What values do I need to enter?

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

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