Potential Energy Calculator
Calculate gravitational potential energy from an object's mass, height, and gravitational acceleration. The calculator converts your selected units automatically and provides results in joules, kilojoules, calories, and foot-pounds.
Calculate Potential Energy
Enter the mass, vertical height, and gravitational acceleration.
How to Use the Potential Energy Calculator
This calculator determines how much gravitational potential energy an object stores because of its position above a reference point. You only need the object's mass, vertical height, and local gravitational acceleration.
Enter the Object's Mass
Enter the object's mass and select kilograms, grams, pounds, ounces, milligrams, or tonnes.
Enter the Vertical Height
Add the vertical distance between the object and your chosen zero-energy reference level.
Select Gravity and Calculate
Use Earth's standard gravity or choose another preset, then press the calculation button.
What Is Gravitational Potential Energy?
Gravitational potential energy is stored energy caused by an object's position in a gravitational field. An object gains potential energy when it is raised above a chosen reference point. When the object falls, this stored energy can change into kinetic energy.
For example, a book placed on a shelf has more gravitational potential energy than the same book resting on the floor. The energy increases when the object's mass, height, or gravitational acceleration increases.
What Affects Potential Energy?
- Mass: A heavier object stores more potential energy at the same height.
- Height: Raising an object higher increases its stored gravitational energy.
- Gravity: Stronger gravitational acceleration produces more potential energy.
- Reference point: Height must be measured from a clearly selected zero-energy level.
Potential Energy Calculation Example
Suppose a construction worker lifts a 12-kilogram toolbox to a platform 4 meters above the ground. Using Earth's standard gravity of 9.80665 m/s²:
Given values
- Mass = 12 kg
- Height = 4 m
- Gravity = 9.80665 m/s²
The toolbox stores approximately 470.72 joules of gravitational potential energy relative to the ground.
Common Gravity Values
Gravitational acceleration is different on each planet or celestial body. Use the appropriate value when calculating potential energy outside Earth.
| Location | Gravity, m/s² | Relative to Earth |
|---|---|---|
| Earth | 9.80665 | 1.00 g |
| Moon | 1.62 | Approximately 0.165 g |
| Mars | 3.71 | Approximately 0.378 g |
| Venus | 8.87 | Approximately 0.904 g |
| Jupiter | 24.79 | Approximately 2.528 g |
Frequently Asked Questions
The gravitational potential energy formula is PE = mgh. In this equation, m represents mass, g represents gravitational acceleration, and h represents vertical height.
The SI unit of potential energy is the joule, written as J. One joule is equal to one kilogram meter squared per second squared.
Yes. Potential energy can be negative when the object is below the selected zero-energy reference level. This calculator uses non-negative height inputs for common practical calculations.
No. Gravitational potential energy depends on the difference in vertical height, not the path used to move the object between two positions.
The value 9.8 m/s² is a convenient rounded estimate. Standard gravity is more precisely defined as 9.80665 m/s².
No. Potential energy is stored because of position or configuration. Kinetic energy is the energy an object has because it is moving.
Yes. Select pounds for mass and feet for height. The tool converts both values into kilograms and meters before calculating the result.