Work Calculator: W = Fd

Find the work done by a force over a distance. The force must be along the direction of movement.

Calculated from standard textbook formulas, with every step shown. The formulas are fixed, so the working does not need checking: what matters is the numbers you type in. Use these calculators only if you are competent to choose the inputs (loads, material strength, dimensions, supports) and check your units and assumptions. For learning and checking your own working: design and sign-off are for a qualified engineer. Drafting Central does not store the numbers you type.

How this calculator works

Choose which quantity you want to find.

Enter the other values in the units shown.

The calculator gives the answer with the formula, the substituted numbers, and the answer in other units.

Formulas used

  • W = F\,d
  • F = \frac{W}{d}
  • d = \frac{W}{F}

Worked example

With the default numbers in the calculator above:

  1. The formula, arranged to find the work done: work done = force x distance
  2. Put the values in (every value in its SI unit): work done = 50 x 12
  3. The answer: work done: 600 J
  4. The same answer in other units: 0.6 kJ; 0.000166667 kWh; 143.403 calories; 442.537 ft lbf; 0.56869 BTU

Change the numbers in the calculator to see the full working, every step, for your own case.

Common questions

What is the formula for work?

Work equals force times the distance moved in the direction of the force. 50 N over 12 m is 600 J.

What is a joule?

The work done by a force of 1 newton over a distance of 1 metre.

Do I do work holding a heavy box still?

Not in the physics sense, because it does not move. Your muscles use energy, but no work is done on the box.

Related calculators

Got a question about this? Ask an engineering question and get a plain-language answer with references.

Further reading: Any school physics text (work and energy).

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