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Potential Energy Calculator

Enter the mass of an object and how high it is lifted to find its gravitational potential energy.

kg

The mass of the object in kilograms.

m

The height above your reference level, in metres.

Advanced
m/s²

Standard gravity is 9.80665 m/s². Change it for another planet, for example 1.62 for the Moon.

This result is an estimate only. Double-check important figures before relying on them.

How it is calculated

  • Potential energy (joules) = mass (kg) × g (m/s²) × height (m)
  • Standard gravity: g = 9.80665 m/s²
  • 1 kilojoule = 1,000 joules

For the energy of motion, use the kinetic energy calculator. For forces, see the force calculator.

Worked example

A 10 kg object lifted 5 m:

  • PE = 10 × 9.80665 × 5 = 490.33 J

A 70 kg person on a 30 m high platform has 70 × 9.80665 × 30 ≈ 20.6 kJ.

Why your number may differ

Using 9.8 or 9.81 for g changes the last digits. This formula works near the Earth’s surface, where g is about constant. For very large heights, gravity gets weaker.

Frequently asked questions

What is the formula for potential energy?

Gravitational potential energy = mass × g × height. With mass in kilograms, g in m/s² and height in metres, the answer is in joules.

What value of g should I use?

Use 9.80665 m/s² for standard gravity, or 9.8 or 9.81 for school work. It varies slightly across the Earth.

Why does height need a reference?

Potential energy is measured from a chosen level, usually the ground. A negative height below that level gives negative energy.

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