About the Work and Power Calculator
In physics, work is done when a force moves something. It is the force times the distance moved along the direction of the force. Power is how fast the work is done. This calculator takes the force, the distance, the angle between them and, if you want power, the time, and gives the work in joules, kilojoules and food calories, plus the power in watts and horsepower. Type the force, the distance, the angle and, optionally, the time and the work and power appears at once, with a few related figures underneath, and you can copy the result with one tap. The sums run in your browser, so nothing you enter is uploaded.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Work and Power Calculator
- 1Enter the force, the distance, the angle and, optionally, the time.
- 2Pick the units or options from the menus if the work and power tool offers them.
- 3Read the work and power in the large result box.
- 4Look at the extra rows for related figures.
- 5Press Copy result to keep the answer.
When you need the work and power
Students use it for homework on energy and machines, trainers use it to estimate the work of lifting or pushing, and engineers use it to size motors and winches. The conversion to food calories helps put the effort in everyday terms.
Work depends on the component of the force along the movement. Carrying a bag along a level path takes effort but does no work in the physics sense on the bag, because the support force is at right angles to the movement.
How the work and power is worked out
Work = force × distance × cos(angle). Power = work ÷ time. Pushing with 100 N over 10 m in the direction of movement does 1,000 J of work, which is 0.239 food calories. In 5 seconds that is 200 W, about 0.27 horsepower. If the push is 60 degrees off the direction of movement, only half of it counts: 500 J.
Every answer on this page comes from that one rule, so you can check any result by hand with a calculator. The figures shown underneath, such as other units, are conversions of the same answer.
- Angle between force and movement
- Joules, kJ and kcal
- Watts and horsepower
Mistakes to avoid with work and power
The angle is the one between the force and the direction of movement, not the slope of a hill. Friction and other forces that oppose the motion do negative work. The calculator handles one force at a time; add up several forces by repeating the sum.
On phone and computer
On a phone, type into the boxes one after another and read the work and power underneath; Copy result puts it on the clipboard for a message or a note. On a computer the inputs sit on the left and the answer on the right, so you can change one figure and watch the work and power move. The work and power calculator works the same on both. Work and power are linked to energy. Find motion energy with the Kinetic Energy Calculator, stored energy with the Potential Energy Calculator, and engine power with the Horsepower Calculator.
Features
- Use the angle to the movement
- Friction does negative work
- Power = work ÷ time
- Clear messages when the work and power inputs make no sense
- Copy the result with one tap
- Private: nothing is uploaded
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate work and power?
Work = force × distance × cos(angle). Power = work ÷ time. Pushing with 100 N over 10 m in the direction of movement does 1,000 J of work, which is 0.239 food calories. In 5 seconds that is 200 W, about 0.27 horsepower. If the push is 60 degrees off the direction of movement, only half of it counts: 500 J.
What is the formula for work and power?
Work = force × distance × cos(angle). Power = work ÷ time. The work and power calculator applies it exactly and rounds only the displayed answer to six significant figures.
What is a joule?
The work done by a force of one newton moving something one metre.
How do I convert watts to horsepower?
Divide by 745.7 for mechanical horsepower.
Can work be negative?
Yes. A force against the motion, like friction, does negative work and takes energy out.
Is this work and power calculator free and private?
Yes. It is free, needs no account and runs in your browser, so the numbers you type are not uploaded or stored.