What is the formula used?

The calculator uses F = BIL sin(θ), where F is force in Newtons, B is magnetic flux density in Tesla, I is current in Amperes, L is wire length in meters, and θ is the angle between the wire direction and the magnetic field vector.

When is the magnetic force on a wire zero?

The force is zero when the wire is parallel to the magnetic field (θ = 0° or θ = 180°), because sin(0°) = sin(180°) = 0. No force acts on the wire in that orientation.

When is the force maximum?

The force reaches its maximum when the wire is perpendicular to the magnetic field (θ = 90°), because sin(90°) = 1. In that case F = BIL.

What direction is the force?

Direction is given by the right-hand rule (or Fleming's left-hand rule for motor action): point fingers along the current, curl toward B, and the thumb points in the force direction. This calculator computes magnitude only.

What units does this tool use?

B in Tesla (T), I in Amperes (A), L in meters (m), θ in degrees. The result F is in Newtons (N).

Magnetic Force On Wire Calculator

Enter magnetic field strength, current, wire length, and angle to compute the magnetic force using F = BIL sin(θ).

Input Parameters

Magnetic Field Strength (B)

Current (I)

Wire Length (L)

Angle between wire and field (θ)

Result

Magnetic Force (F)

—

Newtons (N)

Variable	Value	Contribution

F = B × I × L × sin(θ)

Enter values and click Calculate Force

Angle tips: θ = 0° or 180° → force is zero (wire parallel to field). θ = 90° → force is maximum (wire perpendicular to field).

Summary

A current-carrying wire in a magnetic field experiences a force described by F = BIL sin(θ), where B is magnetic flux density (Tesla), I is current (Amperes), L is wire length (meters), and θ is the angle between the wire and the magnetic field direction. This tool computes the force instantly and shows the full breakdown of each variable.

How it works

Enter the magnetic field strength B in Tesla.
Enter the current I flowing through the wire in Amperes.
Enter the wire length L in meters.
Enter the angle θ between the wire and the magnetic field (0°–180°).
The calculator applies F = BIL sin(θ) and displays the force in Newtons.
Force is zero when the wire is parallel to the field (θ = 0° or 180°) and maximum when perpendicular (θ = 90°).

Use cases

Solve physics homework and exam problems involving Lorentz force on conductors.
Design DC electric motors where wire loops experience torque from magnetic force.
Analyze rail gun and linear motor configurations.
Check force on bus bars in high-current electrical switchgear near magnets.
Verify force on speaker voice coils in audio equipment design.
Understand the effect of angle on force magnitude in electromagnetic experiments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-11 · Reviewed by Nham Vu