Mechanical Work Calculator
Calculate work done by a constant force over a displacement. Account for the angle between force and motion, including zero and negative work.
YOUR CALCULATION
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
Only the force component parallel to displacement contributes to work. Multiply force by distance and the cosine of their included angle. A perpendicular force does zero work and an opposing force does negative work.
W=Fd cosθ
Worked example
A10N force acting along5m does50J of work. At90° the work is0J. At180° it is−50J.
Assumptions and input details
Force and displacement magnitudes are nonnegative, each at most1e12 in base units. Angle is0–180° and refers to the force versus displacement direction, not a slope angle by itself. The force must remain constant. The result is work by the specified force; net work requires all forces.
References: OpenStax work and power
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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