Escape Velocity Planet Calculator
Select a Solar System body or enter custom mass and radius to instantly calculate its escape velocity.
Use the Escape Velocity Planet Calculator
Select a Body
Use scientific notation: 5.972e24
Formula: v = sqrt(2 G M / r)
G = 6.674 × 10−11 N·m²/kg²
Select a body or enter custom values, then click Calculate.
Earth
Escape Velocity
Kilometers / second
Meters / second
Miles per hour
Input Values Used
Solar System Comparison
| Body | Escape Velocity | Bar |
|---|
Summary
Escape velocity is the minimum speed an object needs to break free from a body's gravitational pull without any further propulsion. This calculator applies the formula v = sqrt(2GM/r) using each body's mass and mean radius. All Solar System planets plus the Moon, Pluto, and Ceres are available as one-click presets, and you can enter any custom mass and radius for exotic bodies.
How it works
- Pick a preset body from the Solar System list, or choose "Custom" to enter your own values.
- For custom input, enter the body's mass in kilograms and its mean radius in kilometers.
- The calculator applies the escape velocity formula: v = sqrt(2 × G × M / r).
- Results are shown in km/s, m/s, and mph for easy reference.
- A comparison bar shows how the result stacks up against Earth's escape velocity (11.19 km/s).
Use cases
- Understand how much fuel a rocket needs to leave different planets.
- Compare escape velocities across the Solar System for physics lessons.
- Model hypothetical planets or moons for science fiction world-building.
- Illustrate why the Moon is easier to launch from than Earth.
- Demonstrate the relationship between mass, radius, and gravity in class.
- Calculate escape velocity for custom dwarf planets or exoplanet candidates.
- Explore why black holes have escape velocities exceeding the speed of light.
- Prepare for astronomy quizzes or science competitions.