Which angle gives maximum range on flat ground?

45° gives maximum range when launched from ground level with no air resistance. The sweep table confirms this: range peaks near 45° for any initial speed.

Does this account for air resistance?

No. The calculator uses the standard kinematic model (constant gravity, no drag). Real projectiles travel shorter distances due to drag, especially at high speeds.

What happens if the launch angle is 0°?

A 0° angle means horizontal launch. Time of flight depends entirely on the initial height. If height is also 0, the projectile lands instantly — set a positive height for a meaningful result.

Can I enter a negative initial height?

No. Initial height must be zero or positive (launching from ground level or above). Launching from below ground is not physically meaningful in this model.

Why does the impact velocity differ from initial speed?

Gravity accelerates the projectile downward during flight. Impact speed equals sqrt(vx² + vy_final²), where vy_final includes all the velocity gained from gravity — so it is always ≥ initial speed for above-ground launches.

Projectile Trajectory Time Calculator

Name: Projectile Trajectory Time Calculator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Calculate time of flight, max height, horizontal range, and impact velocity for a projectile given initial speed, launch angle, and initial height.

Inputs

Initial Speed

m/s

Launch Angle (°)

Initial Height

Unit System

Angle Sweep Table

All angles from 5° to 85° at the current speed and height.

Angle	Time (s)	Max Height (m)	Range (m)	Impact (m/s)
Enter values above and click Calculate.

Summary