# Centrifugal Force Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/physics/centrifugal-force/
Last updated: 2026-10-30

> The centrifugal force calculator finds the outward (inertial) force felt by a mass rotating at a given radius, from its tangential speed or its angular velocity.

## Inputs

- Mass m (kg, g, mg, t, lb, oz)
- Radius r (m, cm, mm, km, in, ft, yd, mi)
- Speed given as
- Tangential velocity v (m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/s)
- Angular velocity ω (rpm, rad/s, Hz (rev/s))

## Results

- Centrifugal force
- Relative to gravity
- Tangential speed

## Formula

```
F = m·v²/r = m·ω²·r
```

## Explanation

In a rotating frame – a car on a curve, a spin dryer, a carousel – objects seem to be pushed outward. This centrifugal force is an inertial force: from outside it is just the object's tendency to keep moving in a straight line. It has the same size as the centripetal force.

### How to use the Centrifugal Force Calculator

- **Mass m**
- **Radius r**
- **Speed given as**
- **Tangential velocity v**
- **Angular velocity ω**

Results update as you type, every field has its own unit menu, and everything is calculated in your browser.

### How it works

Enter the mass and radius, then either the speed or the angular velocity.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterMass mUnits: kg, g, mg, t, lb, ozRadius rUnits: m, cm, mm, km, in, ft …Speed given asChoose one: Tangential velocity v, Angular velocity ωTangential velocity vUnits: m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/sAngular velocity ωUnits: rpm, rad/s, Hz (rev/s)

### What each result means

- **Centrifugal force** = [Mass m]×[w]^2×[Radius r]
- **Relative to gravity** = [w]^2×[Radius r]÷9.80665
- **Tangential speed** = [w]×[Radius r]

### Example values

How the main result changes when **Mass m** changes and everything else stays at the example values above:

Mass m (kg)Centrifugal force (N)0.51,973.92090.752,960.881313,947.84181.254,934.80221.55,921.762627,895.6835

## Worked example

Inputs — Mass m: 1 kg; Radius r: 0.25 m; Speed given as: Angular velocity ω; Angular velocity ω: 1,200 rpm.

Results — **Centrifugal force = 3,947.8418 N**; Relative to gravity = 402.57 g; Tangential speed = 31.4159 m/s.

## Key terms

- **Inertial force**: An apparent force in an accelerating frame.

## FAQ

**Is centrifugal force real?**
It is a fictitious (inertial) force that appears only in a rotating frame.

**How does a spin dryer use it?**
Water is flung outward through the holes in the drum.

**What is the difference from centripetal force?**
Centripetal force is the real inward force; centrifugal is the apparent outward force.

**Why does force grow so fast with rpm?**
It depends on ω², so doubling the speed quadruples the force.


## Sources

- [OpenStax – University Physics Volume 1](https://openstax.org/details/books/university-physics-volume-1)
- [HyperPhysics (Georgia State University)](http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html)