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Potential Energy calculator
Gravitational potential energy is the energy stored in an object because of its height.
Potential Energy
PE = m × g × h · Mass · Height
PE = m × g × h | g = 9.81 m/s² | Energy in Joules (J)
Lift an object and you bank energy in it: gravitational potential energy, released the moment the object is allowed to fall. This calculator computes it from mass, height and the local strength of gravity.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the mass in kilograms.
- Enter the height above the reference level in metres.
- Press calculate to see the potential energy in joules (g defaults to Earth's 9.81 m/s²).
The reference level is your choice
Potential energy is measured relative to a floor you choose: the ground, a table, the bottom of a dam. Only differences matter, so the same object holds different stated energies against different floors, and all of them are correct as long as one floor is used consistently through a problem.
Frequently asked questions
What is the potential energy formula?
PE = m × g × h: mass (kg) × gravitational acceleration (m/s²) × height (m), giving joules.
Where does the potential energy go when the object falls?
It converts to kinetic energy as the object speeds up (minus whatever friction and air resistance take as heat and sound).
Is there potential energy besides gravity's?
Yes: elastic potential energy in springs and stretched materials, and chemical potential energy in fuels and food, among others. This calculator covers the gravitational kind.