Gravitational Potential Energy Calculator
This tool calculates gravitational potential energy using the fundamental physics formula PE = m × g × h, where PE is potential energy, m is mass, g is gravitational acceleration, and h is height above a reference point.
The calculator supports multiple unit systems and includes gravity presets for eight celestial bodies, so you can easily explore how potential energy changes across different planets.
How to Use
Choose what to solve for
Select one of the four variables: Energy (PE), Mass (m), Gravity (g), or Height (h). The selected variable becomes the unknown.
Enter the known values
Fill in the three remaining input fields with your known values. Select the appropriate unit for each from the dropdown.
Set gravity (optional)
The gravity field defaults to Earth (9.81 m/s²). Click any planet preset button to quickly switch to another celestial body's gravity.
View your result
The answer appears instantly as you type, along with the formula showing the actual calculation steps.
Explore conversions
Expand the Unit Conversion section to see your result expressed in all available units.
Planet Gravity Presets
Quickly switch between gravity values for different celestial bodies:
Earth
Moon
Mars
Jupiter
Venus
Saturn
Mercury
Neptune
Features
Multi-Variable Solver
Solve for any of the four variables in the PE = mgh equation. Simply select which variable is unknown, enter the other three values, and get your answer instantly.
Comprehensive Unit Support
Work with the units you need across energy, mass, and height measurements.
- Energy: Joules, kilojoules, calories, kilocalories, watt-hours, kilowatt-hours, electron volts, foot-pounds, BTU
- Mass: kilograms, grams, milligrams, pounds, ounces, tonnes
- Height: meters, centimeters, kilometers, feet, inches, yards, miles
Planet Gravity Presets
Explore how potential energy changes across the solar system. One-click presets for Earth, Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Mercury, and Neptune automatically set the correct gravitational acceleration.
Formula Display
See the complete calculation with your actual values substituted into the formula. This makes it easy to verify your work and understand the math behind the result.
Unit Conversion Table
Instantly view your result converted to all available units in a collapsible table. Useful when you need the answer in a different unit system.
Energy Comparison
When solving for energy, a visual comparison bar chart shows how your result stacks up against everyday energy references — from an apple falling 1 meter to a skydiver at 4,000 meters.
Real-Time Calculation
Results update instantly as you type or change units. No need to press a calculate button.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is gravitational potential energy?
Gravitational potential energy is the energy an object possesses due to its position in a gravitational field. It depends on the object's mass, the strength of gravity, and its height above a reference point. The formula is PE = m × g × h.
What units should I use?
You can use any supported unit — the calculator automatically converts between them. The standard SI unit for energy is the Joule (J), for mass is kilogram (kg), and for height is meter (m). Gravity is always in m/s².
Why is gravity set to 9.81 by default?
9.81 m/s² is the standard gravitational acceleration on Earth's surface. This is the most commonly used value for physics calculations. You can change it manually or use the planet presets for other celestial bodies.
Can I calculate potential energy on other planets?
Yes. Use the planet preset buttons to quickly set the gravitational acceleration for the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Mercury, or Neptune. You can also enter any custom gravity value.
What's the difference between potential energy and kinetic energy?
Potential energy is stored energy based on position (height), while kinetic energy is the energy of motion (based on velocity). When an object falls, its potential energy converts to kinetic energy.
Why does my result show scientific notation?
Very large or very small numbers are displayed in scientific notation (e.g., 1.234e+10) for readability. This is common in physics calculations involving extreme values like electron volts.
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