What is gravitational potential energy?

Gravitational potential energy is the energy an object possesses due to its position in a gravitational field. It is calculated as PE = m × g × h, where m is mass, g is gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s² on Earth), and h is the height above a chosen reference point.

What units does this calculator use?

In metric mode, mass is in kilograms (kg), height in meters (m), and energy output is in Joules (J) and kilojoules (kJ). In imperial mode, mass is in pounds (lb), height in feet (ft), and energy output is in foot-pounds (ft·lb) and BTUs.

Can I change the gravitational acceleration?

Yes. The default is 9.81 m/s² (standard Earth gravity) for metric, and 32.174 ft/s² for imperial. You can override this for other planets or non-standard conditions.

What does a negative height mean?

A negative height means the object is below the reference point. The calculator will still work — the potential energy result will be negative, indicating the object has less energy than at the reference level.

Is this only for Earth?

No. You can enter any gravitational acceleration value. For example, the Moon has g ≈ 1.62 m/s², and Mars has g ≈ 3.72 m/s². Just override the gravity field.

How accurate are the results?

Results are computed with full floating-point precision and displayed to 4 significant figures. This is sufficient for most physics, engineering, and academic use cases.

Potential Energy Calculator

Name: Potential Energy Calculator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Calculate gravitational potential energy (PE = mgh) instantly using mass, gravity, and height in metric or imperial units.

Inputs

Unit System

Mass (kg)

Gravitational Acceleration (m/s²)

Earth default: 9.81 m/s²

Height (m)

Enter mass and height to calculate potential energy

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Summary

Calculate gravitational potential energy (PE = mgh) instantly using mass, gravity, and height in metric or imperial units.

How it works

Select your preferred unit system: metric (kg, m) or imperial (lb, ft).
Enter the object mass in kilograms or pounds.
Enter the height above the reference point in meters or feet.
Optionally adjust the gravitational acceleration (default 9.81 m/s² or 32.174 ft/s²).
The calculator instantly computes PE = m × g × h and displays results in multiple units.

Use cases

Calculate the energy stored in a raised object before it falls.
Solve physics homework problems involving gravitational PE.
Estimate energy requirements for lifting loads in engineering.
Compare potential energy at different heights for a given mass.
Convert potential energy values between joules and foot-pounds.
Understand energy conservation in mechanical systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-09 · Reviewed by Nham Vu