Potential Energy Calculator
This potential energy calculator works out gravitational potential energy with the formula PE = m × g × h, where PE is energy, m is mass, g is gravitational acceleration, and h is height above a reference point. It is built for students, teachers, and anyone solving physics problems with mass, gravity, and height.
Unlike a one-way calculator, this tool lets you solve for any of the four variables. Choose Energy, Mass, Gravity, or Height as the unknown, fill in the other three, and the answer appears instantly. That makes it just as easy to find the energy stored at a given height as it is to find the height needed for a target energy.
It supports multiple unit systems and includes one-click gravity presets for eight celestial bodies, so you can compare how potential energy changes from Earth to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
How to Use the Potential Energy Calculator
Choose what to solve for
Use the Solve for buttons to pick the unknown: Energy (PE), Mass (m), Gravity (g), or Height (h). That field is locked while the calculator solves for it.
Enter the known values
Fill in the three remaining fields and choose a unit for each from its dropdown. The calculator converts everything to SI base units behind the scenes.
Set gravity (optional)
Gravity defaults to Earth at 9.81 m/s². Click any planet preset to switch celestial bodies, or type a custom value of your own.
Read your result
The answer updates as you type, alongside the Formula card showing your actual values plugged into PE = mgh. Expand Unit Conversion to see the result in every supported unit.
Features
Multi-Variable Solver
Solve for any variable in PE = mgh — Energy, Mass, Gravity, or Height. Pick the unknown, enter the other three, get the answer.
Energy Units
Work in joules, kilojoules, calories, kilocalories, watt-hours, kilowatt-hours, electron volts, foot-pounds, or BTU.
Mass Units
Enter mass in kilograms, grams, milligrams, pounds, ounces, or tonnes — all converted automatically.
Height Units
Set height in meters, centimeters, kilometers, feet, inches, yards, or miles to match your problem.
Planet Gravity Presets
One-click gravity for Earth, Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Mercury, and Neptune to explore the solar system.
Formula Display
See the full calculation with your real values substituted into the equation, so the math is easy to verify.
Unit Conversion Table
Expand the collapsible table to view your result expressed in every available unit at once.
Energy Comparison
When solving for energy, a bar chart stacks your result against everyday references — from an apple falling 1 m to a skydiver at 4,000 m.
Real-Time Calculation
Results recalculate instantly as you type or change units — there is no calculate button to press.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the potential energy formula (PE = mgh)?
Gravitational potential energy is the energy an object has because of its position in a gravitational field. The formula is PE = m × g × h — mass times gravitational acceleration times height above a reference point. Multiply the three together to get the energy in joules.
How do you calculate gravitational potential energy?
Keep Solve for on Energy, enter the object's mass and height, and confirm the gravity value (9.81 m/s² on Earth). The calculator multiplies m × g × h and shows the potential energy, with the worked formula and unit conversions below it.
What units is potential energy measured in?
The SI unit for energy is the joule (J), paired with kilograms for mass and meters for height. You can enter any supported unit and the calculator converts it — the conversion table also shows your result in kilojoules, calories, watt-hours, electron volts, BTU, and more.
How do I find height or mass from potential energy?
Switch Solve for to Height or Mass, then enter the known energy plus the other two values. The calculator rearranges PE = mgh for you — height is PE ÷ (m × g) and mass is PE ÷ (g × h) — and displays the result.
What value of g should I use?
On Earth's surface, gravitational acceleration is about 9.81 m/s², which is the default. For other worlds, click a planet preset (Moon 1.62, Mars 3.72, Jupiter 24.79, and so on) or type any custom value.
What's the difference between potential and kinetic energy?
Potential energy is stored energy based on position (height), while kinetic energy is the energy of motion (based on speed). As an object falls, its potential energy converts into kinetic energy. This tool focuses on gravitational potential energy.
Why does my result show scientific notation?
Very large or very small numbers are shown in scientific notation (for example 1.234e+10) so they stay readable. This is common when using extreme units such as electron volts.
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