# Vickers Hardness Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/physics/vickers-hardness-number/
Last updated: 2026-10-30

> The Vickers hardness calculator finds the HV hardness from the test force and the mean diagonal of the pyramid indentation, plus hardness in MPa and an approximate tensile strength for steels.

## Inputs

- Test force F (kgf, N, gf)
- Diagonal d₁ (mm, cm, m, in, µm)
- Diagonal d₂ (mm, cm, m, in, µm)

## Results

- Mean diagonal
- Vickers hardness
- Hardness in MPa
- Approximate tensile strength (steels)

## Formula

```
HV = 1.8544·F / d²  (F in kgf, d in mm),  d = (d₁ + d₂)/2
```

## Explanation

The Vickers test presses a square diamond pyramid into the material and measures the diagonals of the dent. It works on every metal from soft aluminium to hardened steel and on thin coatings, using the same scale throughout.

### How to use the Vickers Hardness Calculator

- **Test force F**
- **Diagonal d₁**
- **Diagonal d₂**

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

### How it works

Enter the test force and the two measured diagonals.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterTest force FUnits: kgf, N, gfDiagonal d₁Units: mm, cm, m, in, µmDiagonal d₂Units: mm, cm, m, in, µm

### What each result means

- **Mean diagonal** = ([Diagonal d₁] + [Diagonal d₂])÷2×1000
- **Vickers hardness** = 1.8544×[Test force F]÷[Mean diagonal]^2
- **Hardness in MPa** = [Vickers hardness]×9.80665
- **Approximate tensile strength (steels)** = 3.3×[Vickers hardness]

### Example values

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

Test force F (kgf)Vickers hardness (HV)599.67217.5149.508210199.344312.5249.180315299.016420398.6885

## Worked example

Inputs — Test force F: 10 kgf; Diagonal d₁: 0.3 mm; Diagonal d₂: 0.31 mm.

Results — Mean diagonal = 0.305 mm; **Vickers hardness = 199.3443 HV**; Hardness in MPa = 1,954.8994 MPa; Approximate tensile strength (steels) = 658 MPa.

## Key terms

- **Microhardness**: Vickers tests at forces below 1 kgf.

## FAQ

**What does 1.8544 come from?**
2·sin(136°/2), from the pyramid's 136° face angle.

**What test forces are used?**
From 10 gf (micro-hardness) to 100 kgf.

**How do I report it?**
e.g. 200 HV10 – 200 hardness at 10 kgf.

**Is the tensile strength estimate exact?**
No – it is a rough rule for steels.


## Sources

- [MIT OpenCourseWare – Mechanics of Materials](https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/2-001-mechanics-materials-i-fall-2006/)
- [The Engineering ToolBox](https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/)
- [ASTM E384 – Microindentation hardness](https://www.astm.org/e0384-22.html)