# Escape Velocity Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/physics/escape-velocity/
Last updated: 2026-10-25

> The escape velocity calculator finds the minimum speed needed to escape a body’s gravity from its surface, v = √(2GM ÷ r). Choose Earth, the Moon, Mars or enter your own mass and radius.

## Inputs

- Body mass (kg)
- Radius (m, km)

## Results

- Escape velocity
- Circular orbit speed at surface

## Formula

```
v = √(2 G M ÷ r)
```

## Explanation

Escape velocity does not depend on the mass of the escaping object, only on the planet’s mass and radius.

### How to use the Escape Velocity Calculator

- **Body mass**
- **Radius**

Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.

### How it works

Multiply twice the gravitational constant by the body’s mass, divide by its radius and take the square root.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterBody massIn kgRadiusUnits: m, km

### What each result means

- **Escape velocity** = sqrt(2 × 6.6743e-11 × [Body mass] ÷ [Radius])
- **Circular orbit speed at surface** = [Escape velocity] ÷ sqrt(2)

### Example values

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

Body mass (kg)Escape velocity (km/s)2.99e247.914.48e249.695.97e2411.197.47e2412.518.96e2413.71.19e2515.82

## Worked example

Inputs — Body mass: 5.972e+24 kg; Radius: 6,371,000 m.

Results — **Escape velocity = 11.19 km/s**; Circular orbit speed at surface = 7.91 km/s.

## FAQ

**What is Earth’s escape velocity?**
About 11.2 km/s.

**Do rockets need to reach escape velocity?**
Not to reach orbit, which needs about 7.8 km/s.

**What formula does the Escape Velocity Calculator use?**
v = √(2 G M ÷ r).


## Sources

- [NASA – Planetary fact sheet](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/)