Friction Calculator
Calculate friction force (F = μN) from the coefficient of friction and normal force — with common material presets for quick reference.
Inputs
Dimensionless — typically 0.01 to 1.5
For an object on a flat surface: N = mass (kg) × 9.81
Result
Enter values above and click Calculate.
Formula
Friction Force
—
Newtons (N)
Type
—
μ used
—
Normal Force
—
Common Coefficients
| Material Pair | Static μ | Kinetic μ |
|---|---|---|
| Rubber / dry concrete | 0.70 | 0.60 |
| Wood / wood | 0.40 | 0.30 |
| Steel / steel (dry) | 0.58 | 0.42 |
| Steel / steel (lubricated) | 0.15 | 0.10 |
| Ice / ice | 0.10 | 0.03 |
| Teflon / steel | 0.04 | 0.04 |
Summary
Calculate friction force (F = μN) from the coefficient of friction and normal force — with common material presets for quick reference.
How it works
- Enter the coefficient of friction (μ) — either type a value or choose a material preset.
- Enter the normal force (N) in Newtons.
- Select whether you want static or kinetic friction.
- Click "Calculate" (or let the live calculation update automatically).
- Read the friction force result in Newtons, with a breakdown of the formula used.
Use cases
- Solving high-school and college physics problems involving friction.
- Engineering design: estimating braking or holding forces.
- Checking whether an object on an inclined plane will slide.
- Comparing friction forces across different surface material combinations.
- Verifying hand calculations in mechanics coursework.
- Determining the minimum force required to move an object on a surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: 2026-06-13 ·
Reviewed by Nham Vu