# Potential Energy Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/physics/potential-energy/
Last updated: 2026-10-25

> The potential energy calculator finds gravitational potential energy from mass, height and gravitational acceleration using PE = mgh. Type an energy to solve for height.

## Inputs

- Mass (kg, lb, g, oz, st)
- Height (m, cm, mm, km, in, ft, yd, mi)
- Gravitational acceleration (m/s², ft/s², g)

## Results

- Potential energy
- Speed if dropped (no air)

## Formula

```
PE = m × g × h
```

## Explanation

Lifting an object stores energy that is released when it falls. Hydroelectric dams use exactly this principle.

### How to use the Potential Energy Calculator

- **Mass**
- **Height**
- **Gravitational acceleration**
- Want to work backwards? Type a value into **Potential energy** and **Height** is calculated for you.

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

### How it works

Multiply mass by gravitational acceleration and by height above the reference level.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterMassUnits: kg, lb, g, oz, stHeightUnits: m, cm, mm, km, in, ft …Gravitational accelerationUnits: m/s², ft/s², g

### What each result means

- **Potential energy** = [Mass] × [Gravitational acceleration] × [Height]
- **Speed if dropped (no air)** = sqrt(2×[Gravitational acceleration]×abs([Height]))

### Example values

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

Height (m)Potential energy (J)2.5245.173.75367.755490.336.25612.927.5735.510980.67

## Worked example

Inputs — Mass: 10 kg; Height: 5 m; Gravitational acceleration: 9.80665 m/s².

Results — **Potential energy = 490.33 J**; Speed if dropped (no air) = 9.9 m/s.

## FAQ

**Where is height measured from?**
Any reference level you choose; only differences in PE matter.

**What about springs?**
Elastic potential energy uses ½kx² instead.

**What formula does the Potential Energy Calculator use?**
PE = m × g × h.

**Can I work backwards from the result?**
Yes. Type the result you want into Potential energy and the calculator finds the matching height.


## Sources

- [NIST – Fundamental physical constants](https://physics.nist.gov/cuu/Constants/)