Euler Column Buckling Calculator
Calculate ideal elastic critical axial load using the weakest second moment and an entered effective-length factor.
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Result
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Calculation steps
Work through one step at a time or reveal the complete calculation. The steps use your current inputs.
How to calculate
Convert E and I to SI and apply the ideal slender, straight elastic-column Euler equation.
Pcr=π² E I/(K L)²
Worked example
E=200 GPa, I=1000000 mm⁴, L=2 m and K=1 give ideal critical load about 493480.22 N. Doubling effective length quarters that load.
Assumptions and input details
Weakest-axis I and end-restraint K must be supplied. No slenderness applicability check without area/radius of gyration, no imperfections, yielding, eccentricity, residual stress, local buckling or structural safety factor. Load ratio is descriptive, not a permissible-load assessment.
Unit definitions
Unit selection is independent of language. Each selector contains only units for its physical quantity. Calculations use defined base units internally.
Choose from 23 length definitions, including explicitly labelled regional measures. Area conversions square the length factor; geometric volumes cube it.
Regional measures are not interchangeable merely because their names look similar. This is a documented selection, not a claim to include every historical unit.
NIST measurement tables · Japanese traditional units · Mainland China and Hong Kong unit distinctions
Using this calculator
Can I enter my own problem?
Yes. Replace the example values with your own inputs. The result, calculation steps, tables and applicable diagrams update from those inputs. Blank or invalid values clear the result; example values are never silently substituted for missing inputs.
Are the results exact?
Results use floating-point arithmetic and displayed rounding. Read the formula, assumptions and any stated data precision before interpreting the result.
Is my input uploaded?
The calculation runs in your browser. No account, file upload or external AI service is required. Inputs are not saved between page reloads.
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