Gravitational Potential Energy Calculator

How it is calculated

The tool computes PE = m × g × h, where m is the mass in kilograms, g is the gravitational acceleration in m/s² and h is the height in metres above the level you choose as zero. The result is in joules. If the gravity field is left empty or is not above zero, the tool uses 9.80665 m/s², the standard value, so 9.81 and 9.80665 differ slightly. Mass must be above zero. Height may be negative, which gives negative energy for an object below the reference level. There is no unit conversion, and the formula holds only where g stays about constant, i.e. for heights small compared with the planet's radius.

Common mistakes

• Entering the weight in newtons or pounds instead of the mass in kilograms. The weight is already m × g, so g would be counted twice.
• Measuring height from the wrong reference. Energy depends on the height above the level you call zero, not above sea level.
• Entering height in centimetres or feet. The field is in metres.
• Using Earth's g for another planet or the Moon without changing the gravity field.
• Using the formula over very large heights, such as orbits, where g is no longer constant and PE = m·g·h is not accurate.