Screw Mechanical Advantage Calculator
Enter a screw's pitch and effort arm circumference to instantly calculate its mechanical advantage.
Screw Parameters
mm
mm
mm
N
Mechanical Advantage
Fill in pitch and circumference, then click Calculate.
—
: 1
For every 1 N applied to the handle, the screw produces — N of axial force (ideal, no friction).
Output Force
— N
Input force × MA (ideal)
Formula
MA = Circumference / Pitch
— / — = —
Proportion Visualization
Pitch
—
Circumference
—
Bars are scaled relative to the larger value.
Common Screw Examples
| Screw Type | Pitch (mm) | Handle ⌀ (mm) | MA |
|---|
Summary
Enter a screw's pitch and effort arm circumference to instantly calculate its mechanical advantage.
How it works
- Enter the pitch of the screw (distance advanced per one full revolution).
- Enter the circumference of the effort arm (2 × π × handle radius), or provide the radius directly.
- The calculator divides circumference by pitch to compute the mechanical advantage.
- Optionally enter the input force (effort) to see the output force the screw can produce.
- Review the worked formula and adjust inputs to compare different screw designs.
Use cases
- Physics students solving simple-machine problems on screws.
- Engineers comparing screw designs for press, clamp, or jack applications.
- Hobbyists sizing a lead screw for a CNC machine or linear actuator.
- Teachers demonstrating how pitch and handle length trade speed for force.
- DIY builders selecting the right bolt or wood screw for a clamping fixture.
- Checking whether a proposed screw press can generate a required load.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: 2026-06-11 ·
Reviewed by Nham Vu