Gravitational Potential Energy Calculator
Compute the potential energy an object gains by being lifted, using PE = mgh. Gravity defaults to Earth's 9.81 m/s² but can be changed for other planets.
Inputs explained
- Mass (kg) — The object's mass in kilograms.
- Height (m) — Height above the reference level, in metres.
- Gravitational acceleration (m/s²) — Local gravity; 9.81 on Earth, 1.62 on the Moon.
How to use it
- Fill in the fields above — each input has a hint describing exactly what to enter
- Press Calculate to get your result instantly, right on this page
- Copy the result, save the tool to favorites, or share and embed it anywhere
Understanding the result
Example: Lifting a 10 kg object 5 metres on Earth stores 10 × 9.81 × 5 = 490.5 joules of potential energy.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there a field for gravitational acceleration instead of a fixed 9.81? Gravity varies by location — the Moon's surface gravity is about 1.62 m/s² and Mars is about 3.71 m/s² — so changing this field lets you compute potential energy for other planets or bodies, not just Earth.
Is height measured from the ground or from the object's starting point? It's measured as the vertical rise between the object's starting and ending position, so if you lift something partway up and set it down again, height should reflect only the net vertical change, not the total distance travelled.
Is the Gravitational Potential Energy Calculator free to use? Yes — it is completely free, with no sign-up, no download and no usage limits. You can use it as often as you need.
Is my data private? Yes. The calculation runs entirely in your browser — the values you enter are never sent to our servers, stored or shared with anyone.
What information do I need? Just the following: Mass (kg), Height (m), Gravitational acceleration (m/s²). Each field includes a hint explaining exactly what to enter.
Can I use it on my phone? Yes — the tool is fully responsive and works on any device, and the same calculator is available in the EasyWorkCalcs mobile app.
Privacy
Everything you enter into the Gravitational Potential Energy Calculator is processed entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, stored or shared — your data stays on your device.