Work and Power Calculator
Calculate work done from force and distance, and power from work and time, using W equals Fd and P equals W over t.
Last reviewed by the Radiatus Cloud team
Calculate work done and the power used over time.
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Calculate work and power
Work is done when a force moves an object through a distance, and it is calculated as force multiplied by distance, giving joules. Power is the rate at which work is done, found by dividing work by the time taken, giving watts. This calculator computes both: a force of fifty newtons moving an object ten metres does five hundred joules of work, and if that takes five seconds the power is one hundred watts. Power is also shown in horsepower for comparison.
Work and power together describe not just how much energy is transferred, but how quickly.
Work, energy and power
These concepts are fundamental in physics and engineering. Work connects force and energy through the work-energy theorem, while power determines how demanding a task is over time, which matters for motors, engines and human effort. A strong person and a weak person can do the same work, but the stronger one does it in less time, meaning more power.
This calculation assumes the force acts in the direction of motion; when force and motion are at an angle, only the component along the motion does work. Keep SI units for joules and watts. All calculation happens locally in your browser.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the work formula?
Work equals force times distance when the force acts in the direction of motion, giving joules with SI units.
How is power different from work?
Work is the total energy transferred, while power is the rate at which it is transferred, equal to work divided by time.
What units are used?
Force in newtons and distance in metres give work in joules, and dividing by time in seconds gives power in watts.
What if the force is at an angle?
Only the component of the force along the direction of motion does work, so this calculation assumes the force is aligned with the motion.
How does horsepower relate to watts?
One horsepower is about 745.7 watts, so the calculator converts the power to horsepower for a familiar comparison.
Privacy & Security
Everything runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
How to Use
Enter force, distance and time.
Disclaimer: This tool is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Results are for educational and utility purposes.